Exam results helpline tells students not to panic

Exam Results Helpline tells students not to panic

Exam results helpline advisers urge students to ‘stay calm’, as they prepare for thousands of calls from students (and parents) who are keen to talk over their options after receiving unexpected exam results this year.

The exam results helpline telephone 0808 100 8000 is a free telephone helpline staffed by independent careers advisers. Students across the UK who receive unexpected exam results (A levels, GCSEs and equivalent qualifications) can call in for advice about their learning and career options.

The helpline is open throughout the exam results period, this year running between Thursday 15 and Saturday 24 August for students receiving exam results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Helpline opens for students in Scotland between Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 14 August.

The busiest time is always A-level results day, which is Thursday 15 August this year. Last year, the helpline received almost 3,000 calls on A level results day and almost 9,000 across the whole exam results period.

Supporting schools and colleges, helpline advisers offer information and advice on a range of topics including further and higher education options, vocational learning, re-sits, re-marks, careers, employment and gap years.

The only careers helpline with access to UCAS’ applicant information and higher education qualifications, its experienced careers professionals also offer up-to-date advice about Confirmation, Clearing and Adjustment. Advice is timely and accurate.

Helen Thorne, Director of Policy and Research, UCAS said: “The exam results helpline is an invaluable service for students who are weighing up the options after receiving their results.

“Expert careers advisers are ready to help people make informed decisions about the next steps - whether this is university, further education, or other employment or learning opportunities.

“UCAS is delighted to be working in partnership with the Department for Education to deliver the Helpline again this year."

Exam results helpline adviser Nick Hynes, who has 25 years’ experience as a professional careers adviser, said: "After all the planning and revising students do, results day is the moment of truth. If they haven't achieved the grades they were hoping for, if they've done better than expected or if they just want to consider their options before making any major decisions about their futures, our experienced careers advisers are here to help.

“We offer professional and impartial advice on what the best choice might be taking into account individual circumstances and goals. We are happy to speak to family members and friends also.

Student, David Murdoch, called the exam results helpline last year. He said: “It was really nice to have someone properly explain my options - what I could do, the alternatives I hadn’t thought about, and the processes I needed to go through.

“It was good to get objective advice.”

If a student is reconsidering their options based on results they have or have not achieved, they should contact the exam results helpline on 0808 100 8000.

If a student has a specific query about their university application, they should contact the UCAS customer service line on 0871 468 0468.

For further information, visit www.ucas.com/examresultshelpline