After receiving A-Level results that weren't what you hoped for, you face an important decision: should you take a gap year or retake your exams? Both options have merits, and the right choice depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and preferences.
Understanding Your Options
What Is a Gap Year?
A gap year typically means taking a year out between A-Levels and university to:
- Travel and gain life experience
- Work and save money
- Volunteer or intern in your field of interest
- Reapply to university with your actual grades
What Are A-Level Retakes?
Retaking A-Levels means studying some or all of your subjects again to achieve better grades in the next exam session. This can be done:
- At a sixth form or college
- Through private tuition
- Through independent study
- Online or distance learning
Gap Year: Pros and Cons
Advantages of a Gap Year
Personal development
- Gain independence and maturity
- Develop life skills outside academics
- Explore interests and passions
- Take a mental break from studying
Career benefits
- Gain work experience relevant to your goals
- Build a more impressive CV
- Network in your chosen industry
- Clarify career direction
University applications
- Apply with actual grades, not predictions
- Write a more compelling personal statement
- Demonstrate gap year achievements
- Stand out from other applicants
Financial considerations
- Opportunity to save money
- Work while deciding next steps
- Reduce future debt burden
Disadvantages of a Gap Year
Academic momentum
- May lose study habits and knowledge
- Harder to return to exam mode
- Year away from learning
Doesn't improve grades
- If grades are the barrier, they won't change
- Competitive courses still require high grades
- Some universities prefer recent qualifications
Career-specific issues
- Delay entering your profession
- Some competitive fields prefer younger candidates
- May fall behind peers in career progression
Financial risks
- Year without student loan/grant support
- Travel and activities can be expensive
- No guaranteed improvement in outcomes
A-Level Retakes: Pros and Cons
Advantages of Retaking
Improved grades
- Target specific grade improvements
- Second chance with better preparation
- Average improvement of 1.6 grades with proper support
University opportunities
- Meet requirements for first-choice courses
- Access competitive fields like medicine or law
- Keep original career plans on track
Academic benefits
- Deeper understanding of subjects
- Maintain study habits and routines
- Better prepared for university-level study
Personal qualities demonstrated
- Shows determination and resilience
- Universities value students who overcome setbacks
- Proves commitment to your chosen path
Disadvantages of Retaking
Time and effort
- Another year of intense study
- Requires strong motivation
- Can feel like repeating the past
Financial costs
- Tuition and exam fees
- May not be eligible for funding
- Opportunity cost of not working
Emotional challenges
- Pressure to improve
- Watching friends move on
- Potential stress and anxiety
No guarantee
- Results may not improve
- External factors can affect performance
- Some subjects are harder to improve in
Key Questions to Help You Decide
About Your Goals
What do you want to achieve?
- If you need specific grades for a specific course, retakes make more sense
- If you're unsure about your direction, a gap year provides thinking time
How competitive is your chosen field?
- Medicine, law, and veterinary science typically require high grades
- Some fields value experience over grades
About Your Results
How close were you to your target grades?
- One grade away? Retakes could easily close that gap
- Multiple grades away? Consider if retakes are realistic
What caused your results?
- Poor preparation? Retakes with better support could help
- External circumstances? Either option might work
- Not suited to exams? Consider alternative qualifications
About Your Circumstances
Can you afford another year?
- Retakes require funding for tuition
- Gap years require money for activities
What support do you have?
- Family support for studying?
- Contacts for gap year opportunities?
How do you handle pressure?
- More exam stress with retakes
- More uncertainty with a gap year
When Retakes Make More Sense
Consider retaking if:
- You need specific grades for a specific course
- You were close to your target grades
- You understand why you underperformed
- You're motivated to study intensively
- You have access to good teaching or tuition
- Delaying university by just one year to achieve your goals is worthwhile
When a Gap Year Makes More Sense
Consider a gap year if:
- You're unsure about your course or career
- You want practical experience before committing
- Your mental health needs a break from academic pressure
- Your grades are good enough for your backup options
- You have exciting gap year opportunities
- You'd benefit from maturity and life experience
The Combined Approach
You don't have to choose one or the other. Many students:
- Retake while gaining work experience
- Study part-time and work part-time
- Take the year for both retakes and travel
- Complete retakes in November and travel spring term
What Universities Think
About Retakes
Most universities view retakes positively:
- Shows commitment and determination
- Final grades matter more than attempts taken
- Many successful students have retaken exams
- Medical schools regularly accept retake students
About Gap Years
Universities generally support gap years:
- Many offer deferred entry
- Valuable life experience is welcomed
- Can strengthen applications
Note: Some competitive courses (particularly medicine) have specific policies about retakes and gap years - always check individual university requirements.
Making Your Decision
Create a Decision Matrix
Score each option (1-5) on factors important to you:
| Factor | Gap Year | Retakes |
|---|---|---|
| Achieves my goals | ? | ? |
| Fits my circumstances | ? | ? |
| Manages my stress levels | ? | ? |
| Develops useful skills | ? | ? |
| Cost-effective | ? | ? |
| Total | ? | ? |
Talk to People
Seek advice from:
- Teachers who know your abilities
- University admissions teams
- Career advisors
- People who've done both options
Trust Your Instincts
After gathering information, trust your gut feeling. You know yourself better than anyone else.
Need Help Deciding?
If you're weighing up your options after disappointing results, expert advice is available. An experienced advisor can discuss your individual situation and help you make the right choice for your future.
Make an enquiry to speak with a specialist advisor.