Benefits of tuition post-results day 2023
Results for A-levels and GCSEs are now out; with this, a change in passes and fails from 2022. With many students opting for re-sits in 2023/24, we look at how to move forward with tuition and how a tutor can help you reach the grades you need.
Results Day 2023
A-level grades awarded to students in England have shown a significant decline after the government's policy to return to pre-pandemic grading levels. Five thousand fewer students in England gained three A* grades than in 2022, while the proportion of top A*-A grades shrank from 35.9% to 26.5% within a year.
England's results also showed a significant gap in top grades compared with Wales and Northern Ireland, where regulators have taken into account the long-term impact of the pandemic. Northern Ireland awarded A*-A grades to 37.5% of its A-level entries, while Wales awarded 34% - in stark contrast to the 26.5% in England.
The reason for the decline is the more stringent grade boundaries in England. Boundaries are set to ensure consistency in grades from year to year. Ofqual has said it raised grade boundaries this year compared to the last two years to bring results back in line with pre-pandemic (2019) grades.
GCSE Results 2023
This year's GCSE grades are also more in line with 2019, with 22.4% of results for 16-year-olds in England getting a top grade, compared to 21.9% in 2019. The results are down from the highs of 2020, 2021 and 2022, when more than a quarter of entries got a 7 or above (equivalent to an A grade or A*). The number of results getting a fail grade has also returned to pre-pandemic times.
Last year, more than a quarter (26.3%) of UK GCSE entries were awarded top grades, compared with 28.9% in 2021 and 26.2% in 2020.
In 2019 - the year before the pandemic - around one in five (20.8%) entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded a 7/A or above.
As per the guide below, issued by the exams regulator Ofqual, the numerical system equates to the following:
9 high A* grade
8 lower A* or high A
7 lower A grade
6 high B grade
5 lower B or high C
4 lower C grade
3 D or high E
2 lower E or high F
1 lower F or G
U unclassified
What to do if you're unhappy with your grades
GCSE appeals jumped 41% last year, and schools expect a further rise as grading was more challenging this year. So, if you're unhappy with your grades, you can get the marking of your exam paper checked and see your paper. Through your school's exam officer, request a" 'Reviews of marking and moderation" to review the marking of your question paper. Reviews take 10 to 20 days, depending on your request.
You can also review your GCSE and A-level papers. To do this, you have to contact your exam officer at your school or college, who will then request a copy of your paperback on your behalf. It is also known as "Access to Scripts" https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/Services/access-to-scripts.html. However, this may come with a fee, so ask your exam officers for more information.
How tuition can benefit you after your results
If you are going down the re-sit path, a study published in the journal Educational Psychology found that students who received one-on-one tutoring for ten weeks improved their grades by an average of 1.5 points.
Another study conducted by the San Bernadino Valley College showed that students who receive face-to-face tutoring classes see an average increase of 12% in their standardised test.
They have also been shown to outperform untutored peers across 45 out of 52 academic subjects, including math, biology, computer science, and chemistry. What's more, students who were being tutored surpassed their non-tutored peers by nearly 90%. Eight out of ten students who receive tutoring get better grades.
There are many benefits to having a tutor when you are re-sitting exams. Not only can a tutor give you the individual attention that you need to address your specific weaknesses and knowledge gaps. This is in contrast to a classroom setting, where the teacher is limited in how much time they can spend with each student.
Your confidence is one of the most significant areas you may need extra support with, even if you did well. This year, many students, having done well in their mocks and with their predictions, have found themselves with much lower grades that have knocked their confidence in their abilities. To help with this, a tutor can help provide you with positive reinforcement and help you to identify what may have gone wrong and set realistic goals for your studies to help you overcome your fears and doubts.
A tutor can also tailor their instruction to your learning style and needs. Doing this means that you will be learning in a way that is most effective for you. They can also help you to stay on track with your studies and to avoid procrastination.
More importantly, they can help with exam technique. This includes things like how to answer questions, how to manage your time, and how to stay calm under pressure.
You can also review your GCSE and A-level papers with a tutor to see where you may have lost marks. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives each student the right to see the information held about them. You can request a copy of your exam and the marks (see above).
How much does tuition cost?
If you're concerned about the cost of tuition, our latest research shows that the price across all key stages is an average of £38.64 a session. GCSE tuition comes in at £36.90 and £46.40 for A-level specialist subjects.
While prices remain stable, lower options for tutoring are also available, with the average cost of online tuition being £30 per hour, a saving of 20%+ compared to in-person lessons.
The most in-demand tuition subject in the UK is Maths, followed by Chemistry, English and Biology. However, subject demand varies with Maths, English and Chemistry are in demand for GCSE students. At A-level, demand is highest for Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
Why use First Tutors
If you've been disappointed by your grades, it is essential to remember that you are not alone. Many students fall short at some point in their academic careers. However, with the help of a tutor, you can improve your chances of success.
At First Tutors can offer you the following:
Reassurance - We conduct ID and reference checks on all our tutors so you can confidently choose them.
Choice - We have many thousands of tutors nationwide, covering a wide variety of subjects. Whether you need to prepare for your Maths GCSE or brush up on your French, First Tutors can help you find a tutor for your subject and level.
Feedback - Collectively, our tutors have thousands of client reviews.
Accessibility - Our site is secure, functional and easy to navigate. We have a professional development team focused on delivering the highest quality user experience.
We know the right tutor can help you identify your weaknesses and the areas where you need to improve. They can do this by reviewing your exam, discussing your strengths and weaknesses, and giving you targeted feedback.
A tutor can help you practice answering questions in the exam style you need to work on. They can do this by giving you practice questions, providing feedback on your answers, and helping you develop strategies for answering questions.
Failing an exam or not getting the grade you want can be discouraging, but we know the right tutor can provide encouragement, set realistic goals, and help you deal with the stress of exams.
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