The academic year is quickly wrapping up as students around the country are taking their last exams and finishing off assignments. With many taking a slightly different route, we answer all your questions about BTEC results day 2023.
BTEC are a great option for many students, especially those who don’t get along with exams. However, because it is often the road less travelled, there is less information out there.
Now studies are pretty much complicated, it’s the waiting game to find out the final results. We’ve got everything BTEC students need to know about results day and more.
Is BTEC Results Day 2023 Different To A-Levels?
Yes, the day and leading up to it can be quite different for BTEC students.
First off, schools typically receive BTEC results a day before others. This is because there are fewer papers being externally marked and students have a good idea of how they have performed over the year.
That means that it’s possible you will receive your BTEC scores before A-Level students. This isn’t guaranteed, however, your school will undoubtedly tell you what their situation is before the big day.
For 2023, A Level results day is Thursday, August 17, so results will be received that day or possibly before.
A positive of having done BTECs is that some of the nerves will be eased. You’ll already know many of your individual unit grades for your subject, and a little bit of maths might help you figure out a score.
Of course, there will be some externally marked, so you’ll have to wait to for that. But this system does mean you can relax a little.
How BTEC Grades Work
GCSEs have now been in a number system for some years now, but A Levels still used letters. However, BTECs are different yet again.
Here are the different grades you could be awarded for BTEC:
- Distinction* (D*) — equivalent to an A*
- Distinction (D) — equivalent to an A/B
- Merit (M) — equivalent to a C
- Pass (P) — equivalent to an E
You can also be awarded a Near Pass (P), meaning that although can still pass the course despite not passing every unit.
Like most ways of assessing, work is awarded numerical points/scores which are added together to give you a final grade. Throughout the year you would have received plenty of BTEC scores, so now it’s just a case of adding them up.
BTEC Grades Are More Than Enough For Universities
There is an incorrect perception that BTECs are considered less than A Levels. This leads many to think that they can’t get into university. Of course, this is incorrect as they are equivalent to one another.
To clarify any doubt, universities will accept BTEC grades, including lots of those in the elite Russell Group.
Often, university sites will specify what grades a student needs to get on to their course. However, sometimes they just list the amount of UCAS points required. Don’t worry, we can convert the grade into points for you:
- D* = 56
- D = 48
- M = 32
- P = 16
If you have a National Diploma or Extended Diploma then you’ll need to add the numbers together to get your total UCAS point score!