Needing to resit an exam can feel like a huge set back but with the right preparation you can obtain those results you’re after. Under the new GCSE marking system there’s expected to be more students than before resitting their maths and English GCSE to give their final grade a boost. If you feel you’re almost there, your exam resit could be just around the corner or you can choose to wait until next summer.

If you’re planning on retaking your GCSE exam at the earliest opportunity, you need to get prepared to give you the best possible chance of getting the marks you want to secure your future. If you’re not sure what steps you should be taking, these four should give you a good starting point to build from.

Take a step back and get organised

Not getting the mark you expected can be disheartening but it’s important to not let them get you down. The first thing you need to do is take a step back from the emotions and figure out what you need to do next. Speak to your teachers to ensure you’re put in for the resit and set out a revision plan that you’ll be able to stick too.

Understand where you went wrong

You can’t build on your previous results if you don’t understand where you went wrong. There are several ways you can identify these areas. You’re likely to know where you’re struggling and you can also speak with your teachers. The practice papers on School Exams give you an opportunity to go through a paper and see where you’re missing out on those vital marks – determining where your revision time is best spent.

Work on your exam technique

It’s not just knowing the answers that play a role in your final grade, your exam technique matters too. Working through papers in a way that suits you and is logical can make all the difference.

Figure out the marking system

Sometimes you could be dropping marks simply because you don’t understand where the marks are awarded. With the right knowledge, you can make sure you get every point you can. If you found you were just a few marks short of the grade you wanted, taking the time to assess the marking system can make a big difference to the end results. Heading to School Exams is a simple way to see how 100% of the marks are awarded in a format that’s easy to follow.