Exam board apologises to students still wating for BTec results

The exact number still waiting for news is unknown.

(David Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

A BTec exam board has said it is “very sorry” that some students are still waiting for their results two days after they were due, leaving them unable to confirm university places.

Hundreds of thousands of students received A-level, BTec and T-level exam results on Thursday, but some in England and Wales who have taken BTec qualifications with exam board Pearson have had no news of their grades.

Pearson said there was no “systemic issue” to blame for the delay as what they described as “a tiny percentage” of students are still waiting to hear about their BTec (Business and Technology Education Council qualification) results, adding that the reasons are individual to each affected school or college.

The exact number of students still waiting on Saturday is unknown, Pearson said, but “it’s falling all the time” as results are released hourly.

A spokesperson for Pearson said: “We are very sorry that some students are still waiting for their results. BTecs are a modular qualification and in order for us to award an overall result, we require grades to be provided for each unit and a claim made to receive the qualification.

Universities are used to managing this in their processes, and we are working with awarding bodies to ensure all students can receive a decision on their application

Ucas spokesperson

“We are grateful to the schools and colleges that are working with us around the clock to resolve any remaining issues. Our team delivered hundreds of results yesterday and today and we are here all weekend working to deliver more results as soon as we can.

“We urge any student waiting for their results to please call us on 0345 618 0440.

“Ucas has told us that the best thing a student can do is contact their university of choice directly, so that they know they want the offered place and can hold it. Or we are happy to call their university for them to explain the situation.”

A spokesperson for Ucas, the admissions service for higher education institutions in the UK, said: “Students may find they are awaiting their examination results for many reasons, and not all qualifications are awarded on JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) results day.

“Universities are used to managing this in their processes, and we are working with awarding bodies to ensure all students can receive a decision on their application.

“Ucas advises that universities hold offers until September 7, so any student that has yet to receive their qualification results has time to meet this. Students are also free to start their Clearing research should they wish.

“If students have any questions about their application, Ucas is here to support you. Go to ucas.com or speak to a Ucas adviser on the phone or social media.”

Exam regulator Ofqual has said that students “have shown so much resilience in preparing for and taking their qualifications during the pandemic”, and added that it has “every sympathy” with those affected.