About the event

Your exam results will be available on Thursday 20 August 2026. Usually you go and collect them from your school or college. This year, for the first time ever, they will also be available on an 'Education record' app, but not until later in the day and only if your school has signed up to use it. So, for this year, the advice is still to go into school or college to collect your results.

The exact time you can collect your results varies from institution to institution. Check what time it is at your school or college and also where in your school or college you need to go to collect them.  

On GCSE results day you don't get your actual GCSE certificates. You usually get an envelope containing slips of paper from the different exam boards that list your results. The reason you don't get your certificates yet, is because the grades on your results slips are provisional - you can appeal against your grades if you think that there has been a mistake. You could ask for your papers to be remarked or to have a clerical check carried out. For more information on the appeals process, go to www.gov.uk/appeal-qualification-result

What happens if you can't collect your results on 20 August?

If you can't collect your results in person because you are on holiday, you can speak to your school or college in advance and arrange for them to send your results to you. They might do this by post or by email.

If you have a change of plan on results day, and haven't arranged to receive your results in advance, your school will be able to send them to you. Ring your school or college on the day and explain.

You can nominate someone else to collect your results, but usually they need a letter from you saying you have asked them to do this and photo ID. Check the rules with your school or college if you want someone else to collect your results.

What if you don't get the results you need?

The key thing is to get advice about your next steps. This could be from a teacher and/or careers adviser at your school or college. Careers advisers from C+K will be available on GCSE results day in most schools and colleges in Calderdale and Kirklees - go and find them and talk to them if your results are not what you expected. Alternatively, you can speak to a C+K adviser using the Chat contact information below.

If you didn't get the grades you need, below is some general information about the things you could do.

If you have applied to do a course at a school or college and don't get the results you need, then you have lots of options:

  • Speak to the school or college you applied to, and see if they would still let you do the course.
  • If not, ask if they offer the same course at a lower level that you could do instead.
  • If they don't offer lower level courses, you need to start looking for other places to study. Colleges offer courses at all levels, so whatever your grades, you will still be able to do a course - so you don't need to worry.

If you need specific grades for an apprenticeship you have already applied for and don't get them:

  • Speak to your employer or training provider and see what they say.
  • If they won't accept you, start looking for college courses and apprenticeship vacancies related to the apprenticeship you were going to do.

If you have changed your mind about what you want to do or if you haven't applied for anything:

  • Speak to a C+K careers adviser, using the information below, to discuss all your options. Advisers are available Monday to Friday, 10.00am - 4.00pm.
  • You can also fill in the Chat contact form and a member of the Chat team will get back to you.

Remember that after Year 11, you will have to continue to study maths and/or English if you did not achieve a grade 9-4 in the subject at GCSE. You will do these alongside the main subject you are studying, and this will be arranged for you. The same applies if you are doing an apprenticeship. 

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing

If you don't get the grades you want, and are feeling a bit overwhelmed, there is support available.

  • Try and talk to someone at your school or college if possible.
  • Childline has advice about what to do if you are feeling unhappy with your results.
  • Kooth offers free, safe, and anonymous mental health support online. They have also produced information about waiting for exam results and this guide about exam results day support.