• Question: how much do gcse results actually impact later life and your careers?

    Asked by brad536onus22 on 28 Jan 2026.
    • Photo: Milly Bell

      Milly Bell answered on 28 Jan 2026:

      It’s important to take GCSE’s very seriously, as they set you up for the next steps in your education and career. If you decide to study A-Levels, your GCSE results can impact where/what you can study, and this can have further impacts on where/what you might study at university if you want to go down that route.

      But outside of education, GCSE’s are still incredibly important. Most jobs I have come across ask for at least a grade C (I think that is a grade 4 in the new system?) in English and Maths, but this also depends on the job and sector. If you are applying for a job in a scientific industry for example, they may also require you to have achieved a certain grade in your science GCSE’s.

      Even jobs that require you to have an undergraduate degree will often still ask you to list your GCSE grades.

      So I would say that GCSE’s massively impact your later life and careers as they are the first real stepping stone to either further education, or the start of your working life.

      It can be a difficult period of time, having so many exams to revise for, but stay calm, take time away from revising to get outside, have fun with friends, and try to enjoy it! Believe it or not, I sometimes miss those days around my GCSE’s – it was stressful, but also so exciting!

    • Photo: Louise Thurston

      Louise Thurston answered on 28 Jan 2026:

      GCSE’s are really important, especially if you are hoping to take A-levels after. It is your A-levels that set you up to go to university – if that is what you wish to do. Even if that isn’t for you, GCSE’s are important to getting work outside of education.

      That being said, I think a lot of pressure is put on students at GCSE level, some of which is not helpful. A bad GCSE outcome does not mean you wont get a good job – but some will have minimum grade requirements. In lots of cases, a strong work ethic and a genuine passion and enjoyment for what you do is just as important as grades.

      So yes, GCSE’s are important and can impact your job depending on what you want to do, it is important to remember your grades are only one part of what makes you a good person to hire for a job.

      GCSE’s are a tough time and I know I found it really tough, but remember to be kind to yourself and hard work and a positive outlook gets you a lot of the way!

    • Photo: Alan Jones

      Alan Jones answered on 28 Jan 2026:

      GCSE results are the key to the lock…whether it is going on to A levels, university or apprenticeships or straight into a job. The fundamental is getting your English and Maths GCSE at Grade 4 and above. Some jobs will allow Foundation Maths/English if you didnt do well at GCSE.

      After GCSE I dropped maths and English…only to find later I would have to do so much maths when I did my degree but at least it wasnt the boring maths that no one ever uses.

      The answer is do as well as you can in all of your subjects because you never know when you might have to do something from those subjects later in your life.

    • Photo: Mark Harvett

      Mark Harvett answered on 30 Jan 2026:

      If you want to do a subject at A level or Btech, then it’s useful to have studied it (or something close) at GCSE. If you know what you want to study after GCSE, look at the course requirements.

    • Photo: Alex Cartwright

      Alex Cartwright answered on 1 Feb 2026:

      Honestly, when you get 5 – 10 years into your career, it is hard to remember what you did for your GCSEs.

      BUT – those GCSEs are what set you on your journey, they are the key to those 5 – 10 years of your career, and the next however many years after that.

      My tactic, take things that I was interested in, that I enjoyed. That’s how I ended up taking Geography at GCSE, A-Level, University…

      So take the time to think about your choices, and to invest in learning through your GCSEs, it will be worth it when you get to look back – honest.

    • Photo: Vanessa Pilley

      Vanessa Pilley answered on 2 Feb 2026:

      They start your journey! And its important to study and work hard. That said, I’m not 40years old, and I can’t remember the last time someone asked about them! So whilst you should take them seriously, make sure you enjoy your academic studies too. Also, if you don’t do well, please remember there’s many ways to a career 🙂

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