General Article How important are GCSEs?

Topic Selected: Student Choices Book Volume: 403

When you’re 16, GCSEs can seem like the be-all and end-all. By the time you’ve been working for a few years, you’ve probably forgotten all about them and are wondering whether to even include them on your CV.

It’s a commonly asked question – do people really care about GCSE results?

And the answer is, it depends. If you’ve had a successful 20-year career in your industry and you’re applying to be the CEO of a major company, they’re not going to give a hoot about whether you flunked GCSE art.

But if you’re applying for your first job, then your CV will be pretty sparse and less likely to hide your GCSE sins. So it’s safe to say that your grades become less important the older you get. Think of them as a gatekeeper – holding the key to the next stage in your education or career. 

Put simply, good GCSE grades give you more options to choose from.

If you’re currently (supposed to be) studying, here are some things to consider before you close your books and reach for your games console:...

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