How much have GCSEs actually affected you across life?

Posted by Alarming-Safety3200@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 398 comments

This is aimed more towards older people, how important actually are GCSEs and have they ever actually affected you in terms of employment and whatnot?

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Shw4ndz@reddit

Not GCSE, but failing my A levels was the best thing I did. It meant I had to get a job, after 70 applications I got an apprenticeship and an engineering firm, which meant they paid for my education. Which meant I got a degree paid for while getting paid a wage, which meant at 25 I had a Degree level job at a engineering company, zero student debt, a company car and bought my own house. So what im saying is... when one door closes, another opens. Had I passed my A levels I would have gone to uni and like many of my friends have graduated into a pandemic...

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Excellent_Club_9004@reddit

Lucky you, what company does that ?

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Shw4ndz@reddit

Shortage of engineers in the UK, most do apprenticeships. Rolls royce, JLR, Siemens, Hitachi. ABB, Amazon , automated warehouses, rolling stock , RB, Boots. Take your pick, fix a thing.

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TalosAnthena@reddit

This is similar to me but I failed GSCE’s really badly, I wasn’t stupid I just hated school. I managed to get an apprenticeship however and I wouldn’t have done this had I gone to university. Been through many jobs however and finally worked my way up to become a textile technician. I’m on good money now and have my own house. I feel like if you go into a job fast then you’ve got years of experience on somebody who picks a bad course at university

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Kwinza@reddit

GCSEs are only useful to you when they're the highest qualification you have. So getting into 6th form or college. Once you have A levels or BTECs or whatever else, your GCSEs will never come up again. I'm in my 30's and none of my GCSEs or A levels are even on my CV anymore.

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donotcommen@reddit

Mine didn't matter in the end. I got middling GCSE's and dropped out of my A-levels to work. Did shit jobs for like 6-7 years then did a NVQ level 3 in health and social care and used the ucas points (along with a media college National Diploma level something or other) to get a professional degree. The job that got me paid for me to do my Masters. Now I'm a specialist professional hireable anywhere and very often in demand as there aren't loads of people with this particular (legally required) Masters. I guess my experience means there are many paths, but like others have said it's hard to know which points were important. It's always good to have options, especially when you're young.

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Excellent_Club_9004@reddit

I wouldn't stress so much, you have decent predicted grades. So even if you get Bs you will get to Sixth form. I got a D in English (it is not my first language ) so had to retake it at Sixth form. Wasn't Ideal as time would be better spent on Physics /Electronics or Math A level. I have A or A* for Russian A lever that wasnt much use. And then I did Apprenticeship 😆

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Nemesis-1984@reddit

Extremely important. They provide a good platform for what comes after. A levels are more important though as they directly impact your university choice.

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Backinamo@reddit

They helped me take A levels which helped me to University which then helped me become a chartered accountant. Without the first step of GCSE's i guess id have none of the above.

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MangelStork@reddit

I got pretty average GCSES - C's and B's with higher science and maths. I wanted to get a trade when I was 16, got told I was too smart and refused to even apply by the school, forced to do college, university etc. Ended up doing business, working various jobs and eventually doing an MBA. Shortly after leaving the management field because I hated the politics, corporate shills for shit products and bbc accented twatbags who got all the sway because they sounded smart. Now work as a lead software engineer, it's chill, but 6 months ago I got in touch with an old mate from school and I'm working towards gas safe and becoming a plumber. If I'd got worse GCSES I could have pursued what I wanted to do as a career.

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FunDragonfruit4883@reddit

A levels are much more important. I got into Durham with very average GCSEs but solid A Levels. GCSEs only really matter if you're applying to Oxbridge - but even then, they can be contextualised depending on your circumstances and the nature of the course.

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aezy01@reddit

Maths and English pass required throughout most of your life for most jobs that aren’t manual labour. Other subjects needed to get you to the next level - no one really cares if you got a 9 or a 4 in geography or anything else. They are a gateway to your next stage, that’s all.

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Infinite_Account1729@reddit

They affected the 6th form college I got into. After that they didn't really matter for shit. If you're getting 7s and above in the main subjects thats absolutely fine unless you wanna be a doctor or go to oxford/cambridge, then you'll need lots of 8s/9s.

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LimaHotel3845@reddit

Uuuuh... Having a C or above in English, Maths, and Science was needed for one job application I've made, but truth be told the actual grades I got at GCSE have never come up. My A levels were only ever relevant for UCAS, and my undergrad degree has never been looked at so much as once.

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Ready-Sample8480@reddit

If I could give my younger self this advice this is what I would say: disconnect from any stupid distraction that will not matter over the years and you MUST do not just your best but ‘the best’ in GCSE and A levels and then further in University! The job market is though and grades DO follow you.

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rawpaprika@reddit

I got my maths and English (and 1 other) which I thought was good as most jobs require that you have them although there have been a few jobs I’ve been denied for in the past as I didn’t have a minimum of 5 GCSEs. It’s annoying really as I’ve gained much higher qualifications since then and I really don’t think the exams you take when you’re 15/16 should define your whole future, especially when you have a solid work history showing you’re more than capable of doing the job.

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Illustrious_Item_841@reddit

31m here. I was in the bottom set for most subjects. I managed to scrape C's in almost everything other than R.E, DT, and Citizenship I think it was called. I would say initially it didn't affect me because I went to a college and studied music production, business, and IT. I didn't do A levels because my schools sixth from required B's to study anything worthwhile. I was still able to get jobs from a C in English and maths. However, I would say it was more difficult once I was out of college and looking at my next step for Uni because I didn't have A levels. (I had diplomas and b tecs). So I'd say the thing that's affected me most was not getting the gcse grades to do an A level in a stem subject or even English or a language, for example. However, this was my sixth forms situation of a needing a specific grade. I have no idea what other people sixth forms requirements are these days. Advice if I go back - focus as hard as fuck on the top 3 subjects you enjoy/think will get you somewhere. Retake them if you have to after year 11.

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CardinalCopiaIV@reddit

I came out without GCSEs, no degree and now earn £50,000 a year flat rate before OT. Schools make it sound like you’ll struggle in life if you don’t conform, it’s bullshit

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Grouchy_Box7801@reddit

Never ever been asked for them or about them. I have a degree, two degrees and still never asked about them at interviews. I work in the games industry as an artist

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Dorling83@reddit

I got good GCSEs, A Levels and a degree. I worked various jobs but now I drive ships for a living and what they wanted for that was GCSEs. Anything above that was irrelevant.

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SpectreSingh89@reddit

U will most certainly get different answers. Here is my truth. I failed my GCSE and did "Sum" college. After 22 I had no identity careerwise. I worked in my Uncle's knitwear factory started off as a pattern cutter in 2012-2016. Unfortunately my job got overtaken by advanced machines. I was working for same company as a General Operative. STILL MINIMUM WAGE. So did 72-76 hours of labour to make ends meet. 2021 got my break as a Security Officer for MINIMUM WAGE! Was 60 hours a week set. End of 2022 got another shot at Factory in aerospace to present. My current working life... Above minimum wage just over 29k P/A. Set days and hours (Panama / pitman shift pattern). My job varies from lifting 22.5kg ALL DAY, setup to running the machine. No 2 shifts are the same. Literally just one big flaw of a 24/7 shift. The other guy ready for shift? U can expect a bollock inn from the smallest unnecessary thing they point out. Unless u learn to talk back this shift ain't for u. Another thing it is a 12 hour shift of hard / semi skilled labour. TO THE POINT! So without GCSES!?? Not a pilot, train driver, tutor, Lawyer, Engineer LITERALLY ZERO!!! Without GCSE I have had ZERO sense of direction for the last 20 years. Only your body builds up in labour not your bank savings. People with GCSE? Atleast they get into Managerial positions. Atleast they can get receptionist as I seen on Totaljobs. GCSE A*-C is the key to many things IF not University.

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No-Strike-4560@reddit

GCSEs are important because they decide what A levels your school or college will allow you to take. A levels are important because they dictate which degree you can take. On their own, GCSEs and A levels are worthless

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LilacScentedStoat@reddit

Haven't been at all. On a I left education, I could have claimed I got straight As in my GCSEs. I've never had to produce a certificate or prove what I got. I don't even know what I got if I'm honest. I am 46, I left school at 16.

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melanie110@reddit

I did get As in all my GCSEs. It was A for absent. I’m doing really well now (45) but I have had to work from the bottom up and when I say bottom, I was topping and tailing onions for a first job, then moved into fish processing. Now I’m a UK sales manager earning very well, managing 8 people. My husband is degree educated and he hasn’t climbed as much as me money wise, but he’s happy putting paper clips in a cup as long as he’s paid. HOWEVER, he hasn’t supported me to be able to chase my career whilst I’ve supported him being a stay at home dad. It’s been swings and roundabouts but we’re both happy

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spuckthew@reddit

Certainly not as extreme as being absent from my exams lol, but I only got six Cs. I then went and failed my AS levels at sixth form. I ended up doing a BTEC in IT followed by a HND (was always interested in computers). The vocational nature of a BTEC/HND made it a lot easier to achieve a good grade, as I always hated exams and never performed that well in them. First job was working in a school as a "Trainee" IT Technician earning a whopping £13K, which was only about £1K more than the minimum wage at the time. I worked there a few years and eventually hit £25K before moving on. My 2025 total comp was £90K. My partner never did more than A levels and she's a publishing lead for a video game company earning £80K. I know it's industry dependent, but you absolutely do not need a degree to be successful in life, and you only need the bare minimum GCSEs to get your foot in somewhere.

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BeardedBaldMan@reddit

It's an odd one. I had to show my grades to get into college and then my results from that to get into university, but that was the last time I was ever asked for proof. Over the last twentyish years I've had numerous jobs and everyone has just taken it on faith that I'm being honest.

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Similar_Quiet@reddit

I went for a civil service interview and they asked me to bring my English and maths certificates in and then scanned them.

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Positive_Feedback989@reddit

That’s probably the case in lower skilled jobs, they ask for proof in jobs where you need qualifications.

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pajamakitten@reddit

But plenty of jobs will be different. I have applied for many jobs over the years where they require a copy of all your certificates.

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Difficult-Tension520@reddit

I'm 10 years behind you and have always had to show my certificates as proof, GCSEs and A levels. It probably depends on the job and how strict the English and Maths requirements are, but I've always had to give my full qualifications history as well not just those two.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

ah right thanks because I'm just realising now I'm putting all this pressure on myself at 16 just for some numbers on a sheet of paper which define how good I am at remembering heaps of content

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Dazz316@reddit

They aren't useless. When you first enter the workforce, these will matter because what else do you have to show off? You have very little to offer Vs experienced workers, then you're needing to adjust compete against others who just left school and their grades. So getting the best you can get will start you off the best way possible. Then there's also the more you educate yourself, there smarter you are.

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jimicus@reddit

You’re not quite seeing it the right way. GCSEs are a stepping stone. They are what gets you to the next step - but once you’re there, nobody cares about how you got there. The fact is that there are oodles of ways for an adult to get qualifications that have nothing to do with how you did at 16. But they’re a lot harder because by then most people have responsibilities like rent and bills to pay, which usually means a full time job - which makes it harder to find time to study.

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Gareth8080@reddit

You aren’t doing it for numbers on paper. The experience of working towards something and succeeding is an important one as is the ability to learn not to mention the important of things like maths. I had to retake Maths and English and even then I didn’t take it seriously enough. I wish I’d taken all those opportunities now. I was very immature at the time.

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Prediterx@reddit

So... They help you get to college or into apprenticeships, although I was only asked for proof when starting out in my career, i got a job because I got one grade higher in science than the other applicant, and I wore a tie. Once you've got experience I. Your CV that's relevant, you're basically no longer in need of those GCSEs. If you think you'll be bad at GCSEs then consider learning the maths required for a trade. All the trades absolutely require maths in some form, so learn that and see if you can get into an apprenticeship. That's what I did in computer science, and I'm now working in a top law firm earning 60k in my late 20s as an IT person.

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LilacScentedStoat@reddit

It's a different system these days. You have to stay in education until 18 I think. Either school or training or apprenticeships. ... I feel old saying this but...*ahem.. Back in my day.... I went to three schools, first, middle, secondary. Finishing at 16. If you got the GCSES needed, you went to college to study several topics. I think you needed C or above in maths, English, science as well as any other two topics. If you did well in college, you went to university. I knew 0 people who went to University. ..... I didn't go to college, I left school and went to work in a concrete factory. Then a steel factory. Then engineering steel shop. Then an office. The supervisory.

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Significant_Return_2@reddit

That’s not fair! I had to submit copies of my certificates. I suppose it depends on the employer.

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movienerd7042@reddit

My good GCSEs led to my good A Level results which led to my good degree which led to the career path I have today.

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spuckthew@reddit

My mediocre GCSEs led to me failing my AS levels which led to my BTEC and HND which led to the career path I have today. Next year I should hit six figures.

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Succotash-suffer@reddit

Work with your hands?

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spuckthew@reddit

Well, I have been told I have a certain *finesse* when it comes to handling pipes... But in all seriousness, I work in IT infrastructure for a financial services company. I'd also be no good at a manual job as I'm also terrible at DIY. Was always interested in computers as a kid so IT just seemed like my natural calling. Lack of degree might inhibit my top end (I'm definitely not good enough for those insanely high paying hedge fund type IT jobs), but I do alright for myself.

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movienerd7042@reddit

Also, any qualifications you can add to your CV look good

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blue_rizla@reddit

Putting your GCSEs on your CV doesn't look good past the age of 18 tbh. The opposite, probably.

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icastfist1@reddit

What else should you put there then? If I removed them I would just have my now obsolete GNVQ in Art & Design.

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Diggermouse@reddit

18 maybe a little low, but by mid 20s if formal education isn't relevant fill it with work experience. Or maybe have a nod to your gcses in a couple of lines

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movienerd7042@reddit

I just put “x number of GCSEs at X range of grades” at the start of my education section”

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namegame62@reddit

This part.

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Wrysauce@reddit

The honest answer is "it depends", but the key thing is, even if you want to go into a field of work that needs them, exams at 16 is absolutely *not your only chance*. I have had a very "squiggly" career and occasionally deal with school groups who assume I have an academic background and ask how I ended up in my job, and they're amazed when I say (teachers cover your ears) I left without GCSEs!

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bimbosissyshagger@reddit

No affect at all. I passed my core subjects and was able to get an apprenticeship. I quit because it was clear they were using me for cheap labour. I turned 20 last week and in april I will be making almost £30,000 a year working for Costa! (if the payrise is the same as last year) If you want to go to college (which i also did, but dropped out due to health) then you need GCSE’s and you will then need your A levels to go to Uni. GCSE’s have never gotten me a job and for the last couple of years I don’t include them. Experience is what matters to most hiring managers. I expect this will vary between people, but this is what I’ve seen

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ChunkyCowSlut@reddit

Practically not at all since I started my A Levels, and not once have I been asked to proove my grades since leaving school. I got great grades but dropped out of uni because it wasn't for me, and unless I wanted to work some kind of government position, I don't expect to use them ever again since my industry experience is my biggest selling point these days. Take advantage of the free education, because it's the learned ability to do basic arithmetic, research and critical thinking that is really going to help you get ahead. Grades are just not the be all and end all.

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justchoo@reddit

Zero impact. I technically have no GCSEs, as I lost my certificates a long time ago. I do have a Master’s Degree and several L7 Diplomas.

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EducationalPen3376@reddit

I'll give you a little bit of information: Before noticing my hair turn grey: I cared. After noticing my hair turn grey: what are GCSE's?

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StatisticianUsual471@reddit

Once you have the 5 a*-c or the current equivalent they don't matter really

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cezzy15@reddit

Never got my maths GCSE, it’s held me back. It’s very important

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Dazzling-Event-2450@reddit

I’ve never needed to know my 8 times table or the fact that Burkina Faso is the poorest country on earth or was in 1986. Don’t worry.

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No-Echo-8927@reddit

They helped get me to university. After that just put them in the bin. I can't even remember what classes I took in school let alone what I got

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ldf1111@reddit

If you’re planning on going to college / university then it won’t matter much. If you’re going to leave school at 16 then it’s a bit more relevant. Once you’ve been in a field for a little while your education doesn’t really matter except in specific industries

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gaspoweredcat@reddit

Not at all, I do know my results, they were average, I lied about that on every CV ever, no one ever questioned or complained. Result, I actually did pretty damn well, life is very nice but I never cared for qualifications, I can just do stuff, that can take you a fair way it seems

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Aggressive_Chuck@reddit

They've made no difference at all, all that studying was for nothing.

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Drewski811@reddit

Good GCSEs helped the uni application & were among the minimum requirements (along with UCAS points) for getting into the armed forces as an officer. Once I had _that_ job experience, qualifications became largely irrelevant. But without those quals, getting that first step would have been impossible. So, it's hard to say exactly. They've had zero direct bearing on my employment for the last 12 years after leaving the forces, but without them I wouldn't have had the same employment history and got to where I am now.

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TieDyePandas@reddit

Hardly bring them up tbh, I lied on my CV and just said I got c/b across the board and since I got my first job they haven't been relevant. once your working it's all about experience and if you go the higher education route they only matter to get you into the next school.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

i'm 16 doing GCSEs in may and have also applied to join the RAF for an apprenticeship after year 11, so would my qualification in the RAF overwrite my GCSEs? taking 8 subjects at once and having to perform in each of them isn't easy

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Drewski811@reddit

Not overwrite. Be in addition. Gotta be honest, 8 isn't many. Definitely manageable.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

it can be quite a handful at times to revise for

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Any-Tangerine-8659@reddit

Basically everyone took 9 or 10 (mostly 10) at my school. My brother did 13. 8 is low.

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Drewski811@reddit

I'll be honest, I don't know anyone who did less than 9. I did 10.

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pajamakitten@reddit

I only did eight. Our school just did not have the timetable space for us to do more, plus our science GCSE was only a double.

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AimeLeonDon1@reddit

You’re sitting GCSEs. With all respect if you think that’s tough and not easy you’re in for a shock. I get it seems like it isn’t easy, but you’ll look back and realise it wasn’t difficult at all. Whilst they may seem pointless they’re setting you up for whatever comes next, whatever that is will be down to the decision you make. Good luck in the RAF and all the best for the future.

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ThrowRAkitty13@reddit

What level would the apprenticeship be?

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

3

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ThrowRAkitty13@reddit

3 is on the same level of A-Levels, so it doesn't overwrite your GCSE’s but is just a higher level qualification.

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Lonely-Lab-2353@reddit

Can I ask why you're taking 8? Wouldn't taking the 3 core - English, Maths, Science + any extras your interested in or needed for future studies be easier to perform well on?

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

english language, english literature, maths, science is 4 gcses plus my 4 choices

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rox-and-soxs@reddit

GCSEs were important in that most of the jobs I went for required at least a C in Maths and English, and those had been the ones I have had to evidence the most. But generally people stop caring about the other GCSE score once you’ve got an a-level. And no one cares about your a-level results once you’ve got a degree. And so on.

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Adorable_Orange_195@reddit

Unless you go into nursing & many other roles jobs in the NHS. I have an honours degree and still have had to produce all my certificates from GCSE’s & NVQ level, key skills etc, when applying for higher roles and for accessing further training & development via uni. Seems mad, but a lot of them won’t accept that if you can study at degree level then you are obviously capable of English, Maths & Science at GCSE level.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

i'm doing an apprenticeship after y11 in the RAF so I assume that overwrites GCSEs

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Agnesperdita@reddit

Your apprenticeship should include the opportunity to get GCSE maths and English equivalents (L2 Functional Skills) if you don’t pass them at school. (There have been changes recently meaning that this isn’t always the case for all apprenticeships, but AFAIK the Armed Forces apprenticeships still include them.) Once you complete your apprenticeship, it won’t “overwrite” your GCSEs but it will be far more important for your future career. Maths and English will still be important but provided you have those two at L2 equivalent or above, you’ll be fine.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

noo Im getting a level 3 apprenticeship

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Agnesperdita@reddit

Yep that’s fine, they still won’t need you to have any higher than L2 in maths and English. Best wishes for the apprenticeship, it’s an awesome career.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

thanks a lot and hopefully it goes well

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Terrible-Group-9602@reddit

Just checked. To get onto an RAF apprenticeship, you need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A\*-C), including English Language, Mathematics, and often a Science/Technology subject. So I guess there's your answer.

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Similar_Quiet@reddit

To get on any apprenticeship you either need a 4+ in English and Maths, or agree to resit an English and Maths course. The government won't fund it otherwise. Plenty of people have been in the position of having a degree in physics / computer science, and then struggling to find their GCSE certs so they can do e.g. a leadership apprenticeship.

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plant-strong@reddit

Mate I have two masters degrees and a PGCE. There are still plenty of jobs that will ask if you have GCSEs in mathematics and English language, and a good number of them will check, even when you have qualifications which should (and realistically do) supersede them.

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Mrs_Mulligan2019@reddit

I did an apprenticeship and every level I did wanted a copy of my maths and English GCSEs. Other than that it’s not that relevant once you have the further qualification

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Tao626@reddit

You can also do Functional Skills maths/English as part of your apprenticeship if you don't have GCSE's. I did the maths one and it's one of those types of course where the time you take is more dependant on how good you are with the subject. I was decent with maths by the time I took it, so was finished with lessons in 10 minutes and was booked in for the exam at the first opportunity. The employer has to agree to it, but as far as I'm aware, they're a free course to whoever wants to apply anyway, so I can't imagine somebody offering an apprenticeship being all that bothered if you need do this free course in your own time. It's literally one of those things they'll send Job Seekers to.

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Wise-Independence487@reddit

You don’t even need to do the functional tests anymore they removed the requirement

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Realistic-Analyst-23@reddit

I did a degree but then later in life did a course at work which required a C GCSE in English and Maths. They didn't care about my degree.

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davehemm@reddit

After a panic of my business might falter a few years back, (I was doing all financials, purchase ledger, and many other hats) I had no formal qualifications in accountancy - so went to local college to sign up for accountancy course. Took my GCSE certs (my maths which I took a year early was from the first year that GCSEs took place), a maths A/O, maths A/S, A level certs (AAB), my joint honours degree cert, and my PhD thesis. Due to age of my English and Maths GCSE certs, I had to take their remedial level tests to see if I could do my riting and rithmatic (the 3 R's have always bugged me). The 45 minute allowance for this joke took me 5 minutes each, I had finished by the time they came back to me to give me a calculator that you were allowed to use...

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whyy_i_eyes_ya@reddit

Had a workmate that did similar. He had no record of his GCSEs so despite having a degree had to do the basic English and maths courses at night school.

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crooked_magpie@reddit

To an extent yes but you’d still may need maths and English if you want to go up the ranks. It’s worth speaking to the recruitment officers. Also incase you don’t enjoy what you do and drop out. You want those grades as back ups

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AshaNyx@reddit

Basically every qualification post 16 will pretty much overwrite gsces if you stay in that field. If you want to requalify as something else later on having good gsces will make things easier and for some jobs it can make you a better candidate. I'm assuming you are doing something like engineering and it will help you if you want to degree level as unis will look at that as well. What I've found it's less about the grades but more the skills that you end up with, if you understand the basics you can do anything.

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SnooHabits8484@reddit

Nope you’ll need them in the Forces

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Unique_Hour_791@reddit

They’ll make you do key skill possibly anyway

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Excellent-Camp-6038@reddit

Good on you, that’s the route I went after A levels (I was an Armourer). Once you have finished your apprenticeship hit them up for the fully funded degree.

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Terrible-Group-9602@reddit

Do you need any qualifications to get onto the apprenticeship? Most likely another 500 people will be competing against you for the one apprenticeship place btw.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

well I've already applied and been accepted for the apprenticeship

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Terrible-Group-9602@reddit

Well done! The place will be conditional on you achieving the 5 GCSE's with Maths and English though so just stay motivated and do your best.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

yeah thanks a lot. It's not to say Im doing awful across my subjects but I'd be lying if I told you its easy to maintain that motivation, I'm predicted a 9 (A*) in english, and a 7 (A) in maths

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Terrible-Group-9602@reddit

Of course it's hard to maintain motivation, especially in cold and wet January. All your mates will be feeling the same even if they act casual about it. I'm glad we've got good people going into the RAF:)

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

I appreciate your kind words and thanks :))

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pajamakitten@reddit

You will still need maths and English, nothing overwrites those.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

im predicted a 9 in english and a 7 in maths so im passing both

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Long_Day9450@reddit

Most jobs will require you to say you had passing grades for Maths and English to show you can write and do basic maths. Whether they check is another matter.

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Dry_Yogurt2458@reddit

No one cares about A levels once you are more than 2 years out of school

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Snoo_85580@reddit

This is spot on. Make sure the main ones are good but worry less about the others unless they are the subjects you want to do in a level etc

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Well-Known-Elf@reddit

I have had about 10 jobs and not once have I ever been asked for evidence of what I've stated on my CV.

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MattyLePew@reddit

The only thing it helped with is getting my jobs in supermarkets early on. The first office job I went for, they wanted to know I had my English and Maths at C or above, but never asked for proof, and since then I haven’t even been asked.

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Kind_Shift_8121@reddit

You just need to get whatever you need to get onto the college course you want to do. After that, your college grade will decide which uni course or entry level role you can get. It does make a difference, but each level negates the previous one.

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LittleSadRufus@reddit

They're the gate keepers to A Levels. Once you have those they're largely irrelevant. I do some recruitment for professional services and we don't even ask about GCSEs (and most don't list them). I suppose universities might look at GCSEs as a predictor of your A Level results, to decide whether to give you a place. But I reckon A Level mock exam results are now important there. However - if you plan for GCSEs to be your final exams, I imagine recruiters would look at them. Most likely for English, Maths and anything specific to the role. While in the sense there's not really any major benefit in getting 10 A* versus 10 Cs, the discipline and skills you gain by revising well at 16 will probably pay dividends at A Level and university, etc

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Zestyclose_Drive4060@reddit

I got very good GCSE results but was never once asked for them at job interviews. I don't see the effort as a waste though because I was actually learning a lot, including learning how to learn.

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Beartato4772@reddit

Granted I went on to A-Levels and Uni but the importance of my GCSE declined rapidly after getting the right to do those A-Level and pretty much disappeared entirely at uni. A decent distance into my career I don't even bother putting them on my CV and no-one has ever asked.

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D0wnb0at@reddit

I got pretty average/bad grades. Highest was a B in Maths, 2 C’s in science, D’s in everything else. Getting a part time job in a supermarket I was quizzed on my grades as I was young. But I’ve never been asked about my grades since that day. I work as a financial contractor now, so clearly grades didn’t mean shit.

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DenieD83@reddit

They got me into the college courses I wanted then that's it. I don't even list the results on my CV these days.

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Independent-Ad5593@reddit

English and Maths I see required most often for entry level jobs, but I've never once been asked to provide them so pretty pointless.

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-GrantUsEyes-@reddit

GCSE’s mattered for my A-level choices, A-level choices mattered for degree choice, the degree had nothing to do with my career (at least directly) but the topic and prestige of the university got me a foot in the door. The people I went to uni with were also very bright (a lot smarter than me!) and very self assured and direct. I benefited a lot from having to handle them on group work etc, and that’s held me in good stead throughout my career (I’m a director now, have been since ~8 years into my career). So directly, not a lot, indirectly very much so, but I could’ve got to the same place by other means.

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TSC-99@reddit

I’ve just ever needed maths, science and English to get on higher education.

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EncapsulatedTime@reddit

I have a maths degree and I have had people ask me if I passed my math's GCSE for a job before.

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Rough-Sprinkles2343@reddit

If you want to go to uni or apprenticeship or any job for that matter do well in maths and English. The rest can suck it

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another_awkward_brit@reddit

I'm in my mid 40s, and a non entry level job application is asking for at least a pass in English language & Maths. While unusual, it can have an effect much further down the line than people expect.

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Historical_Project86@reddit

The only nuisance they've caused is that I didn't do Chemistry O Level, so couldn't major in Environmental Science at Uni. I had to major in Biology and then switch to Environmental Science after the first year (had to take 3 subjects in the first year).

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Greg-Normal@reddit

Once you get A levels, no-one cares about O'Levels,/GCSE, once you get a degree no-one cares about A Levels.No prospective employer has ever asked me what degree grade I got. As a now employer I would take the number as a general indicator of intelligence but if that's all I've got to go on then attitude, presentation and experience are more important.

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bqw74@reddit

GCSEs are as much as learning about life skills as they are about learning the actual subjects IMHO. You learn discipline, self determination, consequences of your actions/inactions, independent working, responsibility, punctuality, managing stress, etc. Experience is the best teacher and the process of preparing for and writing the exams teaches you a lot too. If you want to be a successful professional, you need all this stuff too.

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UnchartedPro@reddit

I got 9 grade 9s, one 8 and a 7 They mattered for me to get into uni, now I'll probably never look at them again A levels are similar. Got 3A*, will I ever see them again. Nope! Just do what you need to get into the career you want

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VolcanicBear@reddit

After getting into college and then university, not at all. My GCSEs are superseded by other qualifications. If I didn't have other qualifications or work experience I expect they would be a lot more relevant.

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TogepiXTyphlosion@reddit

It depends on what you want to do in terms of higher education. If you want to go to an elite university or do an elite course, you need food GCSEs. If you don't want to pursue the higher education route, I think just passing them should be enough. GCSEs are very easy. Just do past papers. That's the secret to all exams. The ones who do well are the ones who figure this out

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withnailstail123@reddit

As an employer, I’ve never once asked for GCSE results.

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clbbcrg@reddit

All I can say is I have never once been asked to prove the grades I wrote on my CV.. just saying

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Agnesperdita@reddit

Maths and English are essential. If you want to go into any kind of further or higher education, or plan for career progression, you are going to hit a barrier unless you have a minimum of a grade 4 equivalent at GCSE in those two subjects. Nothing else matters a lot, and after a few years your subsequent trade, professional or FE/HE qualifications will be far more important than how many GCSEs you passed.

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irv81@reddit

My first job at age 18, required me to prove I had English, maths and science C or above. Since then I've never been asked for a single qualification and I'm now working at director level in a multinational Engineering and Technology firm

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anonymouse39993@reddit

They allowed me to apply to university Beyond that nothing

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ConfidentCollege5653@reddit

They got me A-levels that got me into uni that got me into the job I wanted. So they were important. However, you have to remember that it's not like you're completely fucked if you don't get the results you want. There are other ways to get into university, and there are plenty of people that take completely different paths and have happy lives.

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goingtogeorgia23@reddit

One thing is, if you ever want to retrain later in life you will need to have your GCSE certificates. I'm looking at doing an Access course, and I'll need to get proof that I have GCSE passes in a fair few subjects. No idea where my certificates are. Unless you're going to a big fancy uni, you probably won't need them to all be A*s.

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BuncleCar@reddit

O level then A level then degree was a sort of idealised set of stepping stones for me, and which I achieved,; but that a very long time ago. It got me where I wanted to be

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fussyfella@reddit

Apart from the fact I did not do GCSEs but O-Levels, they did not really affect my life much at all apart from showing my ability for university applications. But then my A-levels once I had gone to University were irrelevant, and my degree only really mattered on getting my first post graduate job. Everything since has been about career history. Now that does not mean what I learned was not relevant - without the grounding I had in maths, sciences and computing there is no way my career would have been what it was, but it was all about building on foundations not scores in one arbitrary set of exams. Those exams matter, but really are stepping stones and something to focus on. Some people have perfectly good careers with rubbish exam results - but most people with crap results do not. Conversely, good results are a necessary condition for some careers, but by no means a sufficient one.

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Cauliflower-Informal@reddit

They absolutely dominate my every working day since I'm a teacher. Which I wouldn't be without an O level in a Maths & English. Not sure how useful my O levels in Geography, Physics & English Lit (to name my better ones) have helped. Ironically, I failed computing at school but now teach Computer Science. Level 2 quals are a gateway to the next stage not a final destination. English is by far the most important, followed closely by Maths. Verbal and written communication skills are very important. If you intend to work in a technical sphere, maths is increasingly important. Sciences, inc computer science, essential for science based careers, obviously, but are only a step to reach the next level. Most professions require degrees, though vocational pathways are very good these days.

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djnel94@reddit

They become more and more irrelevant with each day that passes once you get past university admissions

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the-holy-one23@reddit

The only time they mattered was when I needed them for my A Levels.

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SnowTech90@reddit

No one ever checked. You can say what you like

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Secure-Barnacle7822@reddit

Put it this way. I am 44 totally forgot what my exam results were. Until last year when I had to apply for a visa. They have no reflection on my life and did not affect my career in any way. I self build my career from 20 onwards and have worked all over the world.

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Positive-Mud-11@reddit

Needed GCSEs for college, in order to get to uni, in order to be a nurse… BUT they only cared about me getting maths, english, sciences. So all the others i got were pointless!!

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MediumCell4140@reddit

When I first got my first ever job it mattered after that they are worthless because experience and certifications come in

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LowAnimator8770@reddit

Got me to a-levels which got me to uni, never looked at again after that

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Fun-Cheesecake-5621@reddit

GCSE’s have had no impact on my life. I’m 35 left school at 16. Had to do a diploma at college as I only got 4 C’s. Got a D in English and an E in maths. So in order to do the diploma I had to retake maths and English whilst doing the diploma. I got a D again in English and a D in maths. However as employers don’t check GCSE certificates I went into work with a CV saying I got A-C’s. I started in retail, then got into entry level admin office job, worked my way up in operations over a few different industries and now in an ops manager earning 60k. I earn double what my sister earns and she had straight As and has a degree. I would always say to people to do your best, try to achieve good scores don’t think they are completely useless. But at the same time it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get straight As etc. if you need them to do A levels then you will need to make sure you get them but sometimes if things don’t work out there are other options and hard work and ambition pays off. You will get there.

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renlok@reddit

If they are the only qualification you get they might matter more but if you go on to get a degree no one will ever care what your GCSEs were. They are just a stepping stone, and if you do badly I long run it also doesn't really matter.

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anonymous_girl_99@reddit

They're important at your stage of life, as they are the only qualifications you have at the moment. They're important if you're considering A-Levels, and what A-Level subjects you will study. If you choose to go to a university or college, they mostly look at your Maths and English grades. As long as you have at least 5 GCSEs at a grade C or above, including Maths and English. Some careers do require certain subjects, like primary teaching requires Science at GCSE. Later stage in life, no one really cares about your GCSEs.

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Trowsyrs@reddit

GCSEs are one of those points in life where the effort you put in will have a disproportionate impact on your life. A tiny number of marks will make the difference between one grade and another in practice so sustained effort will pay huge dividends. What GCSEs are important for: * used as a filter for jobs and other things (normally the Maths and English grades being above C) * guide university entry along with predictive grades * used to compete for next job or A level place * used by many smaller employers to assess applicants until you have multiple years of experience, even if you have A Levels What they are not: * the end of your opportunities * a golden ticket * a differentiator once you have a degree (except Maths and English as above) It sounds trite but just do your best. That means max effort but not panicking. Do the stuff that is easy (get sleep, eat well in exam periods, don’t go out with mates when you should be revising). If you feel on results day you tried your hardest then you should be happy and move on. You may never know what getting a B in history rather than a C will mean but it won’t hurt you.

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hyper-casual@reddit

I'm mid/late 30s. I'm good at my job, in a comfortable position and get paid nearly double the national average. I wasn't asked about my GCSEs for this job, not even my A levels. They asked about my degree but never wanted to see proof. The only time I was asked about my GCSEs was when I started teacher training, and even then they just asked what my grade in Maths and English was, never had to prove it. I did have a weird thing about my A levels, but even that was about a decade ago. I applied for a job that required B or higher in maths A level. I don't have a maths A level but I do have a first class maths degree. I tried to point out that the degree is higher level, but they said without the A level it's a no. Honestly, I don't think most qualifications matter unless you're trying to become a nurse or doctor, or a job that needs very specific qualifications that you'd do after GSCEs anyway

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tylorbear@reddit

In in my early 30s now so it was a while ago since I did mine but for the first 5-8 years after you finish school your GCSEs and A levels matter. After that your employment history, experience and any professional quals will be basically all any employer cares about. If you go the uni route once you're in uni and have your degree they matter less when applying for jobs and won't even get a look from employers by your mid to late 20s. If you do poorly with them you'll have a harder time with anything job related for a while, if you do well you'll give yourself a big leg up.

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PretendPop8930@reddit

I did my GCSEs in 1992, and gained 4 A's, 5 B's and a C. Nobody has ever checked to see that the grades I put on application forms and CVs were legit. (Also applies to A-level grades).

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EatingCoooolo@reddit

Not once, only ever needed my CV.

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VividNeonOnyx@reddit

I got nothing over C at GCSE, I’ve lied on applications about securing higher grades and I’ve never been asked for them. I work in a job that pays close to £80k now.

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woods_edge@reddit

On one hand not in the slightest. On the other, they enabled me to do A-levels, which enabled me to do my degree, which got me into my career etc etc So kinda all and nothing.

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Sir_Madfly@reddit

Almost every job will require that you have English and Maths GCSEs and a few might require that you have a certain number e.g. at least 5. Also, if you ever want to do a level 3 qualification later in life then you'll need to satisfy their requirements in terms of grades.

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Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit

As long as you get C's and above, they become obsolete as soon as you get another higher level qualifications whether A levels, NVQ, BTEC, etc... I got mostly A's and A*'s, went on to do an apprenticeship, and the only benefit really was that I didn't have to repeat my Maths / English / IT GCSE's to get a C like some of the other apprentices did, and meant I could go straight on to doing the BTEC National Diploma instead of the Certificate. Other than that, I've never been asked to produce my GCSE results for anything.

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Gold-Collection2636@reddit

I'm only in my 30s, but it affected my whole life. Thanks to undiagnosed ADHD I only got 3, so I couldn't do A levels, or go on to university and get the law degree I really wanted. Instead I was job jumping for years before settling down in residential care work, which honestly is shit pay but works better for me far better than I think a legal career ever would have

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Negative_Tower9309@reddit

I got expelled before my GCSEs so never took them. It's never stopped me doing anything I wanted to do, even managed to get into college a few years later to do a diploma and foundation degree. Now have the job of my dreams, which didn't require any of those things

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Tuscan5@reddit

Lawyer here and recruiter. GCSEs 7 and above are needed. Don’t kill yourself for 9s. Keep a steady study pace and do what you can in the time allowed.

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truffle15@reddit

I got an E in Maths and I work in the finance dept.

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TalosAnthena@reddit

So did I and I’m so much better than my brother who got a B and a million times better than my girlfriend who got a C. I’m really good at basic maths, it was all the algebra and fractions crap that you never even use I’m bad at. Never used it since I left school.

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Lower_Condition_196@reddit

How did you get the job then lol

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truffle15@reddit

Haha. It was originally an admin job that changed over the years to where I am now. But in my interview they asked what my weaknesses were and I said maths, because there’s no hiding that E so I thought I might as well be upfront. My interviewer/now boss was like well the computer figures it all out for you anyway.

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TalosAnthena@reddit

Honestly I’m glad I did bad, if I had done well I’d have been in an awful position right now. I failed everything at school so it made me go into work fast. I worked my way up and I’m now a textile engineer on good money. Whereas my friends who went to university are either jobless or working minimum wage. It obviously does matter what you choose to do at university though. Like if you’re doctor you’re set for life etc. But myself failing GCSE’s was the best thing I could have done

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FumbleCrop@reddit

I think my university was automatically informed of my A-level results. That's it. I was straight A's, and never once in my life has anyone ever asked to see any of my GCSE certificates.

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weatherwaxs_broom@reddit

All my GCSEs were good apart from maths, which I got a D in. In subsequent education and applying for some jobs, I needed a C or above. I took a supplement mathematics course right after school, passed but irritatingly enough it wasn't recognised (even though it was a city and guilds certificate). Yes, that Mathematics D that I got at 16 has affected me, even at my big age of 36, and that blows my mind.

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SwordTaster@reddit

I'm 32. I got 4 As, 2 Bs, and 5 Cs. I barely passed my A levels. I was working for tesco from the age of 18 to 30. Then I immigrated to the US after ending up dating and eventually marrying one of the lads from Mildenhall, so I can happily say that GCSEs have done fuck all for me.

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orange_assburger@reddit

When I recruit someone im sure HR checks it but when it gets to me selecting candidates - I am looking at experience more than anything at all. First job needs qualifications, beyond that I dont care about whst you got Im geography age 16.

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Unusual_Sherbert2671@reddit

All I know is I got my GCSE's, no real advice from anyone, walked into college and they asked what A Levels do you want to do. I'm lucky I got into a good career but looking back, nobody gave a 16 year old any advice on what A levels to pick.

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ponderingawayhere@reddit

Even though I've got a degree in English language, I still had to show my English GCSE certificate to my current employer. Not every employer has asked to see the certificates, though, it's hit and miss. However, every job has wanted me to have passed maths & English

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Prize_Papaya_4985@reddit

Was literally told directly in school I would be a failure in science and maths, left with just 4 GCSEs years later did a science degree and worked for the National Trust as a field technician in archaeology. Don’t believe everything you’re told at “school”.

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New-Resident3385@reddit

Reduced my opportunities, but still made it to the same level as my peers at my age (outside of london). Left school with c's, d's and e's, did a btec at college. Worked up from the bottom of a company and now somehow my job title includes the word engineer.

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Wise-Independence487@reddit

Only time I’ve ever had to prove them was uni and when I started and apprenticeship at work to avoid doing English and maths exams

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Laura_011206@reddit

non of it

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AlwaysTheKop@reddit

34, nobody has ever checked them or asked about them in person. I lied on all my job applications throughout my life. To them I'm a fully A* pupil when in reality I got a D in maths... but it can't be that important to any of the four employees I've had since secondary school because like I said, nobody has checked or asked after the initial application.

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ChangingMonkfish@reddit

My job required a degree, which required A-Levels, which required GCSEs.

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Adept-Limit7989@reddit

I did an NVQ as part of an apprenticeship and they wanted proof of my English and Math C or aboves about 20 times, and nobody else has cared since. I've been on the hiring side for a time and GCSE's were pretty much ignored. We'd use them as an indicator of potential for trainee/apprentice hires because there's nothing else to go off but it was the last thing we cared about if you had job experience.

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Frosty-Cap3344@reddit

Im 56, I started work straight after my YTS, nobody has ever asked or commented on my exam results

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Mdl8922@reddit

I've not got any GCSE's, and have never been asked for them.

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Salt_Safety2234@reddit

It can be a barrier I guess but it wasn’t to me in the longer term. I left school without even doing the exams. Retired last year at 46. Was hard work getting there though. Ironically not having any quals might actually have drove me to work harder. As I got into my late teens I knew I’d f****d up!

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Character_Holiday860@reddit

In my experience, the older you get and the more work experience you get GCSEs just don’t come up anymore. It gets to a point where a lot of employers will assume you have the ones that really matter like English and Maths. You’ve got options like Open University as well so if you don’t do so well you’ve still got access to higher education

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Jumpy_Ad_4460@reddit

The easy answer is not at all. In reality it was definitely a large building block in my current education level.

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Not_Propaganda_AI@reddit

So my education was a mess, I did 4 years of primary school and only a few months of secondary. Even then I'm not sure I learned much in school, even core skills like reading and addition and subtraction I learned outside of school. I did try college twice as a teen but both times I ended up missing half the year and failing due to unrecognized mental health issues. Those courses were coursework based so were completely failed. I did get my only GCSE a D in maths at college, because it was exams based so it didn't matter I only turned up to class occasionally. I've only ever worked in jobs that don't care about your qualifications, but it's more a lack of a degree than a lack of GCSEs that stopped me from pursuing better work. I've had a go at more formal education a few times over the years in smaller ways but even with 'easy' education I've never really worked out how to learn from it or how pass courses so I don't really bother these days. When I do learning I tend to stick to self directed because I can learn like that.

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blue_rizla@reddit

GCSEs get you on to A-levels. A-levels get you in to uni. Uni gets you a graduate job. After that it's just about your experience in your job. If you don't want to go to uni or get a graduate job then nothing about your GCSEs really makes a difference. I think getting 5 A-Cs, and getting at least a C in Maths and English is probably the threshold for whether your GCSE results are going to hold you back or not. If you're getting A\*s and As then everything will be absolutely fine. I literally can't remember what GCSEs grades I got. I can't even remember what GCSE subjects I studied.

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xpltvdeleted@reddit

I got decent enough A, mainly Bs and a couple of Cs. It obviously mattered for uni, but I don't know if any job cared other than to confirm I didn't fail any. I think I may have had some applications that asked how many GCSEs I had along with A levels. But really as others said it's just a trust exercise. You could write whatever you want I think. I would suspect the only place that ever verified my results were my uni when I applied. That said I'm an old enough bastard now where it's been a long long time since anything other than work experience has been of any interest to anyone

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These_Look_2692@reddit

Got 9A* and 1A total waste of time and effort from what I can tell 🤣🤣🤣 I don’t know but I don’t think it has made much difference for me? I don’t think anyone has asked for them apart from maybe a few grad schemes? I never put them on job forms now.

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fantasticvinyl@reddit

So there is actually no central system in the UK to check your grades are actually correct… they can contact all the different schools and colleges and universities but they have to have your permission to do so. Any certificate nowadays can be modified via photoshop or AI too. For regulated professions such as teaching, law and medicine you will need proof of them qualifications somehow.

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Consistent-Pirate-23@reddit

Do the best you can and in realistically 4 months or so the last exam will be done and you can do no more after that

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Silent-Ice-6265@reddit

They are extremely important don’t let anyone tell you otherwise

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rjgfox@reddit

Had to tick the box, and it helped me realise that sometimes you do have to turn up and deliver. Since then, limited impact other than the understanding that sometimes there is no alternative and you’ve just got to do it.

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karlo43210@reddit

My GCSE’s were important to let me do A-Levels. I got decent grades ranging from 7-1. I had to retake English language twice as i hated it. Just did enough to do A level physics bio and BTEC engineering (got CCD)and then did an extra module for extra UCAS points. I got enough ucas points to get myself a degree apprenticeship as a software engineer in 2020, and now I’m doing a masters apprenticeship within the same company. It is honestly a numbers game, I never got crazy grades I just did enough. I was never academic but I knew full well I could do well in a work environment because I never found being in school meaningful in comparison to work. My GCSE results were, Science (76), Maths (6), Computing (5), Geography (4), English Lang (4), English Lit (2), PE (3) & RS (1) I fell asleep in the RS exam

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keepYourMonkey@reddit

I failed all GCSEs but studied for A-Level at 20 then completed a HND at 25. My GCSEs are completely irrelevant and in no way reflect my ability, although I still lie and say that they were great on my CV as nobody ever asks for proof!

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sjnyo@reddit

Zero but I know someone who tried to answer the call for experienced professionals to change careers and become a detective this year and despite a near 20 year career with a lot of transferable skills and of course the experience of life they couldn’t demonstrate GCSEs or equivalent level 2 in English and Maths so was told they couldn’t proceed. This was someone who’s managed teams of dozens of people, delivered large projects, responsible for £millions in funding and been all over the world. No dispensations at all Al- they really don’t help themselves… Point is - it MIGHT matter, even decades later…

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sara61wilson@reddit

Without my GCSEs, I would not have been able to start my new career path at two years ago at 30yrs old

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sjnyo@reddit

Zero. I binned the certificates on the way home from school after collecting. Never thought about or needed them since. I was far from academic and loathed the whole forced exam setup. I left school at 16, thankfully before the rules changed to just being able to do that and get in to the world was a blessing. To be honest though I was a little twat and refused to even do the work and in most exams just doodled on the test papers. I even got a (U) ungraded in my IT GCSE and have built an entire career and businesses in the IT industry which was and still is my passion. A lot has changed though - my academic IT route back then even at A level was like using Microsoft excel compared to my sister who’s 12 years younger than me and was being exposed to python, making apps etc in regular IT lessons and competing in national school robotics championships etc… Smartphones didn’t even exist until after I’d left school. I think there’s a lot more practical opportunities now so id probably actually be interested if I was studying right now.

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jurwell@reddit

I’m 34 now and have a degree. I’ve never needed to prove my GCSEs or A Levels, except for my UCAS application. My job I got by moving home from Uni and walking into an employment agency after several frustrating weeks not even getting a sniff of an answer to anywhere I was applying. They got me in a place doing office admin, and I’m still there now albeit in a managerial position. Having said that; I never ever tried hard enough to do better. School was easy to me, including GCSEs, so I never revised or tried hard. A Levels were an intellectual challenge, which I loved, and my interest in my subjects as well as an ability to blag dragged me through, underachieving but still getting to one of my chosen unis. Scraped through first two years, but third year I fell apart and my mental health plummeted. In the end I just stopped going. Didn’t get honours on my degree because I couldn’t bring myself to do a dissertation, and again, did just the bare minimum to get a pass on everything else. It wasn’t a great experience, but years and years of complacency and procrastination just caught up to me. I saw people who were nowhere near as “intelligent” as me excel, because they’d *had* to build those habits of working hard to get where they were, so had the behaviours to do it. I still struggle with those habits and after an exceptional first 10 years in my job, the last couple I’ve began to stall. I’ve had a couple of really difficult years there and my motivation has taken a hit and I’m coasting again. Please don’t end up like me. Please try your hardest, and be honest with yourself about whether you are or not. Even if it’s easy, go through that revision, do that past paper, do your homework and do it within a sensible timeframe; not on the bus on the way to school. Build those habits. Your future self will thank you for it.

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Norman_debris@reddit

Thinking how they matter today 20 years later is completely the wrong way to think about them. GCSEs were important for progressing to A Levels, which were important for choosing my BA, which was important for my MSc, which directly led to the line of work I'm in now.

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newsgroupmonkey@reddit

Thing is, for you, you have to stay on at school/college or get an apprenticeship (which is tough at 16 because of safeguarding, so no-one wants to do it) So GCSEs are actually dead important. From my point of view, GCSEs led to A Levels. Which led to a degree. Many people won't take "professionals" on without one. So if you just want to be a retail/care worker, or hope that you manage to work your way up, then they're probably not important. But you'll hit a glass ceiling.

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Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit

My GCSEs got me into A-Levels, with the flexibility to do whatever subjects I wanted. My A-Level grades got me onto the degree I wanted, at one of the top unis for my degree. My degree got me into a placement year and then a graduate scheme with a great company. And my degree caused me to meet my partner

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Vampirero@reddit

Depends what you want to do in life, and how you want to get there - if you want to go to university then sure, they're important. A levels and a degree are important because at the very least it displays that you're willing to buckle down, study and take things seriously, which looks good for any potential employers. But I know of people who didn't do particularly well in their GCSEs or A levels, left school, and after a bit of hard graft set up their own business which is now really successful. So it really depends on what kind of a person you are and what you want out of life.

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master1234321@reddit

My mum has no gcses and works as a manager at a call center, she said no where has ever carerd or asked since she was about 18

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7148675309@reddit

It compounds - needed a C to do those subjects at A level - and needed a C in Maths and English for my first jobs. Finally - they got considered for university offers along with predicted A level grades. Once you have your first job - doesn’t matter.

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You_moron04@reddit

GCSE’s are only impactful for your first job. So long as you have Cs and above honestly you’re fine. Beyond that, high grades only matter if you wanna pursue further education. Sixth form, college, uni etc. Day to day? Nothing. Recruiters only care if you have 5 Cs and that’s it.

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Michael_of_Derry@reddit

Not having GCSE biology excluded me from many civil service scientific jobs as it was used as one of the criteria if too many people applied for a job. I had three As at A-level in maths physics and chemistry plus a first at uni. My school didn't consider me bright enough to do all three sciences at GSCE. I had to do Latin instead of Biology.

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Thrilltwo@reddit

When I left university, it took me over a year to get into an actual graduate employment program. In the meantime, I worked at Marks & Spencer. When I was hired by M&S, they required seeing my GCSE certificates. They did not take the fact that I had a degree, or even A-Level certificates, as being enough. They needed to see proof of GCSEs specifically. Which was a bit of a pain since I'd assumed I wouldn't need them any more...

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Kapika96@reddit

Barely at all. Had my first job lined up before even taking the tests. Was already working that job when the results came out. Needed at least a C in English when I later decided to go to uni, which I had so wasn't a problem. And since having a degree, they've never mattered again. Nobody cares about them. TBH I also work abroad now, so most jobs I apply for don't even know what GCSEs are. They only care about my degree, and previous jobs.

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Realistic-Plant-1007@reddit

42 years old and not having a maths GCSE still comes back to bite me in the ass. I wish that I had had the support I needed and got good grades at school. Good grade definitely opens different doors.

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BigInfluence2166@reddit

Generally, none of the jobs I've worked (Mcdonalds, Warehouse, and now Ambulance Control Dispatcher and previously Call Handler) have even checked that I had the grades I claimed. However, I know that with apprenticeships your GCSE grades are required and will need to be proven (with your certificates) as I'm currently looking at starting a Trainee Ambulance Technician apprenticeship (30M, never too late to start!) and I'll need to pay to get my certificates reprinted as I have no idea where they could be. So yeah, not too big of a deal, but keep a hold of your certificates just on the off chance in the future you decide a change of careers and want to start a new apprenticeship. The reason why apprenticeships have a lot more scrutiny for your grades, my understanding is, that because they receive government funding for running the apprenticeships - your grades need to be proven to the govt for them to allow you on the course.

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Majestic-Pen-8800@reddit

I did ok but if I needed better grades for a job, I just made them up to suit the role. Nobody ever checked.

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boredsittingonthebus@reddit

Everyone is talking about the grades and certificates instead of the subject matter. The skills and knowledge I learned at school have been very important in my life, even more than the certificates.

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ZBD1949@reddit

I left school with 3 GCE (earlier than GCSE) O levels, I retired as a Senior Software Developer at a bank. My career progress was solely due to being in the right place at the right time and recognising opportunities when they arose.

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N64Andysaurus92@reddit

My GCSEs were good so never had to worry, and they got me in to my Sixth form of choice, and then got four A Levels. No one has ever asked me for my GCSEs other than my college. Once you get A Levels, GCSEs become redundant. Likewise, you get a degree, no one cares about your A Levels and so forth.

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Japhet_Corncrake@reddit

Mine were OK and they got me onto the F.E. courses I wanted to do, but after I got a degree nobody was arsed. They do open those first doors for you though, and give you more F.E. options the better you do.

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PrestoTCG@reddit

I’ve always had a high paying job even whilst studying for my degree and I can say with absolute certainty I’ve never once been asked in any meaningful way, in any capacity, what any of my academic results ever were. I wish I had not gone to uni and just got on the career ladder earlier to be honest !

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crooked_magpie@reddit

Your scores are fine. It would just depend what job you were after. GCSEs specifically no one could give two hoots about (I work in tech) but they do sometimes care about your higher education. Ie relevant university degree. Which you can only get with certain gcse grades. So indirectly at best. But that’s in a very specific field. Depends what job you want to do. If you know, get good grades in those subjects and core subjects like English and carry on in those subjects higher. Ie if you want to be an engineer good science and maths scores are important. No one with give 2 hoots if you got a D or whatever the new system is in cooking for example. Especially when you go to the next level. For eg. No one has ever asked about my GCSEs or A levels or even my undergrad degree, because I have a masters degree. They usually stop looking if the highest qualification you have meets the requirement for the job.

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Conspiruhcy@reddit

We don’t have GCSEs in Scotland but the only impact that the equivalent standard grades/intermediate/nat 5 etc had was direct entry into college to study an HNC/HND. Then went uni for an undergrad and then an MSc. They haven’t been on my CV for 10+ years but they got me into college. They aren’t going to determine your career chances, they just help you get onto the next step.

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Better-Employ-4495@reddit

GCSEs got me on to the college course I wanted. That got me on to the university course I wanted. That got me a job in the field I wanted. My GCSEs are no longer relevant to any job applications, but we're important to get to where I am now.

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fungusthefunghi@reddit

I mean as long as you get above a 5 in English & Maths, you’re set. A levels on the other hand…

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taknyos@reddit

They were good enough to get me back for a-levels. Some jobs have checked that I passed English and Maths. I went back to uni later in life and they also checked for English + maths.

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Several-Gift-8681@reddit

I've never been asked for my GCSE results, but I also appreciate times have changed, so couldn't say now if its imperative to show proof when applying for roles. Majority of application forms ask for grades even still but you could outright lie and they wouldn't know as they don't usually ask for evidence(in my experience). Although, both times I've worked in the NHS they ask for a basic maths/English test, I imagine its dependant on the roles you're applying for

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Mxcharlier@reddit

At over 40 I still have to produce GCSE certificates for a job in teaching despite a degree and having been teaching legitimately for over 15 years. Think it really depends on the job/career field.

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whyte2097@reddit

I managed to do a nursing degree without needing my GCSEs as I was over 21 at the time and got accepted on care experience. I have GCSEs and A levels. Cs in English, maths and science. Rest are Ds and Es. I've had to provide my GCSEs once since leaving school in 2000 and that was two years ago when I became a train driver. If I hadn't provided them I'd have needed to do a 2 day English and maths course. So basically they've not affected me.

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Super-Surround-4347@reddit

GCSEs got me into college, which got me into university, which got my first job, where I built skills for my next job. Etc etc

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xycm2012@reddit

GCSE’s got me into sixth form to do my A Levels, which subsequently got me into uni, and into the career I am in now over two decades later. I don’t think I’ve quoted my GCSE grades or been asked for them since I got into sixth form, but without them I wouldn’t have the life I have now. They were a stepping stone to further study, but redundant once I completed the next level of study.

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Brave_Sherbet7708@reddit

If you want to work in anything related to education you’ll have to be able to provide GCSE certificates that prove you have A-C in Maths, English (and often science). Even if you have a degree you’ll still be asked to prove those

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thecornflake21@reddit

They got me into a college course, which then got me my first job in IT (although I aced an aptitude test and I think I interviewed well so not sure to what extent. Probably got me into the selection process at least as I didn't have any experience other than college work experience). After that, worthless.

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VivaLaJam26@reddit

GCSE > A-Level > Degree > Masters > etc. Study, and try your best. These grading methods are for your future education, and how high you want to climb in it before joining the real world. I never studied and scrapped by my GCSEs. Once I got to A Levels I was able to tailor the course to what I wanted to do as a career. Once I did that I was able to study at university to get the degree in the industry that I wanted to move into. It’s all about giving your future self a chance.

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throw-away-doh@reddit

You highest level of education is what matters. GSCE grades matter because if you do well enough you get to do A levels A level grades matter because if you do well enough you get to go to university. Seems like you are on the academic track with your GCSE predicted grades. As soon as you pass your A levels your GCSE grades become irrelevent. As soon as you get your degree your A level grades become irrelevent.

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allenysm@reddit

Late to this but to qualify for the physiotherapy degree I started last September, I had to redo my maths and biology GCSEs to meet the grade C/4 entry requirements. This was despite having multiple A-levels, level 3 and level 4 qualifications *and a degree from the university I applied to*, and none of that mattered unless I got the GCSE grades. They’re a serious challenge OP, but try your hardest and work smart. Believe me you only want to have to do them once.

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adreddit298@reddit

They got me into my A-levels, which got me into uni. My degree had little to do with getting my first job, other than some of the practical computing skills I learned, most of which I could have learned on the job in a PC shop. So, maybe some, most likely not much. A guy I went to school with, who went straight into work in computing after school, is probably comparable in terms of salary and experience.

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Only_Aardvark_7578@reddit

There's plenty of poeple here including me who say they have no effect at all. But dont take that as you dont need to try. The only thing they are good for is getting into further education. It depends what you want to do with your life. (Not an easy answer to i admit. I still dont know what I want to do). Ill just say getting good gsce grades will give you more options.

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kelota_@reddit

I’m in my 40s and every time I do a professional course at work I have to prove I have maths and English GCSE - so I would say those two are extremely important, the rest not so much

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bored_toronto@reddit

I used my GCSE English and French to prove to officials that I knew both official languages of Canada.

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BenjiTheSausage@reddit

I discovered 20 years after doing them, that I wanted a career change and went to get an apprenticeship, well it turns out playing Goldeneye during my GCSEs might not have been the smartest move because I ended up having to do courses for English and maths on top of my apprenticeship, but I also found I couldn't supply for some because I didn't have the grades needed.

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Englishmuffin1@reddit

I've never been asked to show my degree certificate to prove my level of education, let alone my a level or gcses. Obviously it would be unethical to lie about your qualifications, but I could have quite easily bolstered mine to look better than I am. Now I've been working for nearly two decades, I'd like to think that experience is more valuable than a bit of paper saying I'm alright at maths.

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MonsieurGump@reddit

I never collected my GCSE certificates. I’ve got more qualifications than I know what to do with these days.

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UrMomDotCom666@reddit

i'm 19 so close to your age. gcses help you get to the next stage. good gcses helps you do a levels, and good a levels get you to uni. once you've passed gcses, no one cares about them if you have a levels etc. same as once you've passed uni, no one cares about your a levels.

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rosscO66@reddit

I've never once had to prove my grades, I have no idea where they are tbh.

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Only_Aardvark_7578@reddit

Same. Cant even remember what my grades were.

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CMDoet@reddit

They got me into college and 20 years later after repeatedly saying "they got me into college and I never needed them again", I was required to evidence Maths & English for an apprenticeship (masters degree).

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TickTackTonia@reddit

I don't think my GCSEs mattered at all once I got into Uni and even less, so once I had left. If you want to follow an academic path, then yes. I suppose they are the backbone to get up there. But if you aren't... truth be told, they aren't all that necessary. If you have English and Maths (even functional skills and not a GCSE), you're pretty much good to go for most things.

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DMMMOM@reddit

Before my time, we never had such things, but getting exams shows an employer that you can get your head down and obtain good grades. It's pretty much what University has become but as they rubber stamp more and more degrees, they are fast becoming worthless in the job market. When everyone is special, no one is kind of thing. Basic core education for me is a far better indicator of aptitude and initiative. Get your head down and stuck in because much could pivot off of this in later life. If you think a fecking exam is hard, life after school is going to crush you, so get prepared.

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Majick_L@reddit

Not much. I got five B’s and five C’s, but most employers have been more interested in my work experience and personality / extra curricular stuff over grades in job interviews. I think having bad grades in Maths & English would particularly be looked down on though, they seem to be the ones that actually matter

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hallerz87@reddit

They are mostly to open the door to further education. Some places may expect a minimum English/maths grade but for most, it’s to study for a level or some other course.

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ImportantConstant7@reddit

Completely depends what you plan to do. If Uni is your plan, then stronger grades give you more options. Outside of that, probably limited use but some qualifications you might want to do once in a career can require them. My partner is doing a course and she has had to do her math and english GCSE again as she lost the certificates.

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Reasonable-Key9235@reddit

Didn't have gcse in my day, it was a split system of cse and gce. I got a job before I'd even received my results, they never did ask for them. Left there and got an apprenticeship, didn't have to prove results. Did my college stuff in my apprenticeship, did well in those. Im 64 now, had many jobs in several different occupations, never had to prove my exam results. I could have put anything down. My last 2 jobs I was offered a job without actually applying. They were good offers, so I took them.

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Serious_Bat3904@reddit

When I was in school it was CSE exams and O levels it was easier back then than it is now.

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NexExMachina@reddit

Not one of my jobs has asked about them, I've worked in Telecoms, Networking, and Manufacturing. I'm 36 now. I don't even know where they are, and couldn't for the life of my tell you what I got outside of 6 C's in english math and science.

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TyphoidMurphy@reddit

Bad GCSE's absolutely fucked me early on. After a few years of bashing my head against a brick wall working nothing but minimum wage jobs I amassed experience and that began to outweigh the lack of paperwork and now I am fine. I eventually got into a job that helped me gain qualifications and from there made up a lot of ground. Make no mistake though, having those qualifications doesn't give you a headstart but not having them does mean you have to work harder and if I hadn't fucked them up I would likely be further along than I am now. Don't be disheartened if you don't get the results you hoped for, it's not over. But definitely do your damn best to get them if you can.

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PassiveTheme@reddit

GCSEs were the most important thing until I started my A levels. Then my A levels were super important until they got me into university. Now, even my degree doesn't mean as much as the experience I've had.

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pixeltash@reddit

I'm really old, first group to do GCSEs old. Failed lots at school, only got a couple of passes, got a couple more passes at sixth form college so I could take a levels. Failed my a levels. Did a degree with the Open University as a mature student. No one has asked to see any proof of my qualifications for the last 30 or so years. I know right now everything is focused on those grades and it sounds like you are doing well, but the most important thing to take away from education isn't the grades, but the learning to learn, the problem solving, the thinking, the discovering who you are and what you enjoy. If you can do both, you'll do well in life.

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Hangry_cat_lady@reddit

I’ve never been asked for my GCSE certificates, the only thing I’ve had to do was some skills tests (proof reading and touch typing) for some legal admin interviews but even that depended on the firms that interviewed me!

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signol_@reddit

I'm a parent of a couple of teenagers, one of whom did GCSEs last summer. We've always said that they're important for the next thing, but after that not important at all. As in, GCSEs are important to secure a college place for A Levels, then largely irrelevant. A Levels are important to determine the next step be it university or something else, then not so much after that. Degree important to determine a job or post graduate study. And so on.

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SpaTowner@reddit

I don’t have GCSEs, but being Scottish (and old)I do have O Grades and Highers. Without those I wouldn’t have got on the Uni course I wanted, to qualify for the career I wanted. If you don’t have a strong direction in mind for your working life, that requires academic qualifications, they probably matter less.

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GunstarGreen@reddit

GCSEs are important till you get A-Levels. And A-Levels are important till you get a degree. Most employers only care about your highest qualifications.

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notanadultyadult@reddit

I did 11 GCSEs in 2005/2006 with A*-B grades. They’re looked at for certain university courses depending on what you want to study eg medicine etc. You’ll also need them for doing A levels or college courses. A lot of jobs will require you to have a least a passing grade in English and maths so they’re the most important to have. Some will require you to have a minimum of 3 or 5 pass grades. In short, the content may not be completely relevant later in life but the ability to have passed a standardised level of education is important.

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LoriMacDhui@reddit

They're important for the next thing: I get to feel smug about my results, but the important thing was they let me do the A Levels I wanted, then those let me get into the uni I wanted, then for jobs generally I just put that I have a degree and don't fuss so much about the foundation of other qualifications that came first. If you're planning on stopping at the GCSEs, I imagine it'll be more important how many you get and how many are A*-C/1-3 or whatever it is you crazy kids are doing now :')

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Electronic_Cream_780@reddit

It was an access to sixth form and uni. After that jobs still asked what I studied and the grades I achieved but I was never asked to prove it.

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SportTawk@reddit

I needed GCSEs to get to uni! Back in my day only 3% of school kids went. So yes it did affect my life!

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LethargicOnslaught@reddit

Not at all. "Have you got GCSEs in maths and English?" "Yes, yes I have" no proof required. Then they paid for me to go to university on their watch free of charge to further my career, in exchange for staying with them for 3 years post graduation.

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Diligent_Craft_1165@reddit

Not in the slightest once you’ve gone to uni. Nobody ever checked after a levels.

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realms99@reddit

GCSEs are probably one of the most important qualifications you can get. I’ve sat in, and lead, probably 50-60 interviews for a variety of positions in my career. It’s the one thing all management tend to look at - passing grade or above in maths and English. You’ll struggle without those two, which are the main ones.

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Excellent-Camp-6038@reddit

After you get your first real job no one cares about your GCSE’s. Most of the CV’s I see don’t even list GCSE’s as they are superseded by later qualifications. I got 13 B’s at GCSE but at A level I was D’s and C’s. Went down the armed forces apprenticeship route and then did my bachelors in my 30’s and am now doing a masters in my 40’s. Source: Senior engineering manager in my 40’s. Also… no one really cares where you went to Uni* *unless you want to work in legal, finance or medical

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Hhhhaaaabbbbrrrr@reddit

GCSEs were important to get into the uni I wanted to get into. Beyond that, they were probably glanced at in my first role. I probably took them off my CV after a few years. I’m now 38 and legit no one cares.

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BoardHuman13@reddit

For my current job I needed 5 GCSEs including Maths and English. It lead me to a career.

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Saltysockies@reddit

I don't have any GCSEs or education. I'm doing alright

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Slippery_John21@reddit

I got a decent grade for my English GCSE, but not my maths. That was a barrier for me in some respects, but it didn't prevent me from going to university in my 20's; came out with a BSc and an MSc in scientific subjects with a good job too. Just remember that whilst it's not a complete deal breaker if you don't do well with your GCSE's, but you should try your best regardless, as they can act as a stepping stone for better things.

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Real23Phil@reddit

I have no GCSE's,, stopped going school at 13. Autodidact from 13-16 when I joined the army. My mum says I am the smartest person she knows, I struggle to receive that as a compliment because in my head, I'm an uneducated idiot. Everyone I know has GCSE's/college/uni degrees. I will say I think my lack of social skills I have bothers me more than lack of education.

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va-va-voom-14@reddit

I have worked for 4 companies. Only one actually checked my grades.

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000000564@reddit

Not much if you're going to do A levels, and those become irrelevant with a degree. Depends what you want to do next. But those predicted sound very good so I'm sure you'll be fine!

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Haunted_Entity@reddit

I utterly failed my gcses. You could've spelled FUDGE with my results. Im now halfway through a degree and am a data analyst working in ev tech, previously finance, manufacturing, and engineering. It aint glamorous or uber high paying, but its a long shot from working maccie dees like i was told would be my future.... Tl:dr : not at all.

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Legitimate_Style_212@reddit

It's been a few jobs that have turned me down on the basis of not having my maths/English gcse's, which does suck, but that's the nature of the beast. I retook my exams several times, failed each time.

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catschimeras@reddit

I needed a minimum C in Maths and English for most jobs I applied for, but that was about it. Once I had A Levels and a degree, and *especially* once I had actual work experience in the relevent fields, they became far less relevent, but I did need those two Cs to get to the next level.

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MummyButtons@reddit

Mid 30s now an I needed them for college to get onto the courses I wanted, once I had A-levels university weren’t too bothered what GCSEs I had and no employer has been bothered once I had my degree. I’ve started studying an apprenticeship through work a year or so ago, and I did need to provide my certificates for my Maths and English GCSEs in order to not have to sit extra modules to evidence my competency in English and Maths. I had lost these years ago and had to play pot luck with exam boards requesting my results, until I found out which one I’d sat them with. Hold onto those certificates just in case and good luck with your studies!

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LopsidedLobster2@reddit

Keep going hun, you got this. It’s going to be stressful for a little while but it will be worth it in the end. You can do this

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ClickerKnocker@reddit

I have never had my GCSE results checked/verified and I work at the local tip. It's not what you know...

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National_Gazelle_652@reddit

Im 32 and No one has said anything to me about GCSEs since I left school 16 years ago. Which is just as well cos i think I only had 3 or 4 of them and I don't have a clue how I would even prove i have them, I never got any certificates, never bothered to get any either. I went down the work based apprenticeship route in my 20s to learn a trade and used transferable skills to learn other trades. Never struggled finding work, and apart from the 1st year as an apprentice I've always been paid quite well too, even before the apprenticeship. I earn around £50k a year now as a water pump 'engineer'. Unless you're looking to get into an 'academic' field (medicine for example) GCSEs mean fuck all. If you are looking to go academic then GCSEs are still only really important to colleges. A levels (are these still a thing?) Always used to be more important than GCSEs in adult life, apparently, I've never been asked for 1 of those either though.. Short answer: NO!..don't stress yourself out over a qualification that's worth less than the paper it's printed on..i don't even know why we still bother with them tbh.

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LongPerception7460@reddit

I wouldn’t know I’m only alive when I stand up & move around, if I sit down my heart ❤️ stops & definitely if I lie down!

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kalendral_42@reddit

Depending on what you want to do when you leave school & what career you want to end up in they can be important to a greater or lesser extent. 6th form/A levels/rtc - you will need them, particularly the core subjects (maths, English, science) to get on the courses you want to University - they will still be important as part of getting into the right course, & so will your A levels/other post school qualifications, particularly any relating to the degree you want to do & the core subjects (maths, science, English) Starting work after A levels/uni - they will expect you to have passes in maths, English, science at least when you apply for jobs other subjects are important in showing you have a ‘well rounded education’ but your A levels degree are more important at that stage Starting work as soon as you leave school - again passes in core subjects essential, other subjects are important as they show your capable of critical thinking, etc But in reality once you’ve finished your education & have got your foot on the work ladder it will be your work experience that is most important - though they will still expect to see pass marks for core GCSE subjects (maths, sciences, English) & any subjects specific to the area you work in

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Browneskiii@reddit

They havent. They got me into 6th form and that's it. I dont even have my grades on my cv, its that unimportant. Hypothetically i could say i have 11 A*'s and nobody would ever ask for proof.

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EUskeptik@reddit

I took eight O Levels. They were much, much harder than GCSEs. The change to GCSEs was the biggest ever dumbing down of our education system. -oo-

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DanPos@reddit

I have 5 GCSEs in 2 English, 2 science and 1 maths, and I've managed to go on to get two degrees. You'll be fine as long as you try your best

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Polar-Snow@reddit

I know many kids are really stressed out by their GCSEs and they feel like end of world if don’t get grade they want etc. Me personally was too relaxed during my GCSEs since because I knew I wouldn’t get good grades and I didnt trust teachers make big deal out of it. Turns out I was right. I did far better in college then Uni and got high grades even my GCSEs was so poor. Basically really it is NOT end of world get bad grades. There always path, I just had to take extra year at college and that pretty much was it for me. Most do 2 years and I did 3 cos lower GCSEs grade and my college grades was great! No issues get Uni. I worked hard at college and it was fresh start away from negative teachers over my grades etc. So try not to stress out too much. Just do your best.

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tightloops1971@reddit

Anyone interviewing with me needs GCSE maths and English for an entry level job. But when I got my A levels nobody cared about my GCSE's, and when I got a degree nobody cared about my A levels, and when got a degree, people just cared about my experience. So, they can be useful just once as a stepping stone, or they could be useful all your life. But that one time you need them as a stepping stone, you'll really need them. So, they're important, and you get one chance, go for it.

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Teembeau@reddit

There are no more than 5 that matter: Maths, English and whatever you do for A levels. Once you have A levels, no-one cares about your GCSEs, except Maths and English. Once you have a degree, no-one cares about anything but your degree and GCSE in Maths and English. Most of what you learn outside of maybe 3 or 4 subjects will never be used again after you leave school.

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Lonehorns@reddit

My GCSEs got me into sixth form, and that’s it. Unless you’re applying to Oxbridge, your GCSEs don’t tend to particularly matter for university admissions. Heck, you can still get into Oxbridge with relatively poor GCSEs by typical Oxbridge student standards if you have exemplary A-level grades. My GCSEs were ultimately the bridge that got me to my next destination, and that was studying A-levels at sixth form. Other than that, they were completely irrelevant to the rest of my education and subsequent career.

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Eckmatarum@reddit

Not one single bit.

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PudWud-92_@reddit

Once I passed each next step then the previous one becomes less important. GCSEs were important for college and maybe slightly university applications. Bur after that I’ve never been asked for them and I don’t list them out in my cv anymore.

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Exulted_One@reddit

I did pretty well in school, As and Bs, but they never really impacted my life. Either positively or negatively. I know tons of people who did worse than I did in school who're doing better than me now (27m). Although I'm not sure how much of my experience can be extrapolated out.

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TH1CCARUS@reddit

Completely irrelevant. As others allude they mattered for a few months and then I was studying for A-levels. A-levels then mattered for a few months until I was studying for my degree. My degree then mattered for a few month when I started work.

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phoebean93@reddit

Much to my annoyance, very little. I got great GCSEs in 2009 and the only real benefit was getting me a place last minute in my preferred sixth form that I was out of area for. Since then, no one has cared.

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CatsCoffeeCurls@reddit

38M: I've never once been asked to show GCSE or A Level results outside of an academic setting and they only really played a role in UCAS points/uni applications. They've made no difference whatsoever to my employment experiences.

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D1C_Whizz@reddit

No. I tell my kids GCSEs are just to get you to the next stage.

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theowleryonehundred@reddit

Well that's true but also missing the point. If you don't do well at GCSEs then you might not have the opportunity to progress to your chosen next stage which can then affect your future.

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D1C_Whizz@reddit

Not missing the point at all. Have GCSE results affected me in employment?: No You only need to do as well as it takes to get to the next stage.

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pajamakitten@reddit

And you will need GCSEs to get to the next stage, unless you want to have anything beyond basic retail work.

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D1C_Whizz@reddit

How is that not what I said?

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Euphoric_Rough_5245@reddit

As long as I had the equivalent of a C in maths and English that was fine. That’s 2 careers one was 19 years ago as a baker and the other was in something else.

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rmajor86@reddit

I’m 40 years old, nobody has EVER asked to see my GCSE certificates. I don’t think I even showed them to college when I started my AS/A Levels?

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pikantnasuka@reddit

Having English and Maths at higher grades has been essential throughout. Having 10 higher grade GCSEs meant entry to A Levels was simple and backed up university applications as part of a record of consistent academic attainment. But honestly... I could have fucked around for years and eventually done a level 2 adult numeracy and literacy and an access course and a degree at a less reputable university and still ended up where I am now. So whilst they have been impactful, not getting them isn't the end.

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MaleficentSwan0223@reddit

I got 2 A*s, 8 A’s and 2 B’s and not one single person has asked me my gcse results since results day. I did pretty well so I was gutted when I learnt that no one really cares.

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Mysterious_Ostrich@reddit

I’ve had my GCSEs get me and lose me job opportunities, it really depends on the industry. I’ll be honest and say that I felt completely overwhelmed by my GCSEs (and A levels) when I did them. I wish I’d tried a bit harder. Something that I’ve picked up from living life as I have; it’s easier to remember things when you spend time physically moving. Whether it’s taking a break and going for a walk/run or setting a course around your house with different facts on post its. This is something that works the majority of people.

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Manifestival1@reddit

Not at all. I had disrupted schooling so decided to do my GCSEs later on in my 20s. Just did Maths and English as a distance student to enable getting onto an access course for my A Levels at college to then get into uni. I now run a business with a good income and am in my final year of studying my 2nd masters degree. So, considering I did the very bare minimum when I was originally pitched to take 14 GCSEs I think I was very lucky not to have that stress (certainly made up for it with the reasons I had to come out of school, but that's another story). I love learning.

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Appropriate_Trader@reddit

They got me into college. My college results got me into uni. My first job was in a call centre which didn’t require qualifications. So it was all pretty fucking pointless and expensive to be honest. I stayed within that company for 11 years moving up every couple of years. I moved on in the end but all they cared about was my professional experience by that point. I’d say I’ve been fairly successful but my education had very little to do with it. My attitude was what got me those opportunities.

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henryisonfire@reddit

I deliberately failed 7 of mine and it hasn’t affected me at all 20 yrs later

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PsychologyFancy2743@reddit

Don’t get pushed into uni if it’s not what you want.

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destria@reddit

They were a stepping stone to future qualifications which have highly impacted my life. I needed them to do A Levels which I needed to get onto my university course. I needed my university degree for all my jobs. The trajectory of my life would be massively different if it weren't for those things. Then there's been a few situations where I've actually had to evidence my GCSEs. I needed them to become a teacher and then I needed them for apprenticeship funding (Executive MBA).

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stay_kind91@reddit

I couldn't even tell you what my gcses were. I'm 35. And have never been asked to provide them. I've worked for estate management, office work, Honda car garage as front of desk, insurance claims, and for the last 10 years, I've been a carer for disabled earing £16 ph. I was thick in school, but I've always worked and had fairly good jobs, considering i think I'm highest. Gcse was a e. 😬🙄

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sihasihasi@reddit

In and of themselves, my O Levels (yes, I'm _that_ old) haven't affected me at all. But they allowed me to take A levels, which allowed me to get my degree, which allowed me to get the job I have. Despite nearly 35 years of work, and over 10 in the same job, I was still asked to prove my degree to get my current job, last year.

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Difficult-Tension520@reddit

Do your best. You can't do more than that, but you should do your best. GCSE results have absolutely no bearing on your worth or your identity, but they will affect what you can do next and therefore what you will likely be able to do in the future. Every job I've had has had a minimum requirement of grade C English and Maths GCSE, and I've had to show the certificates of proof. ('It's my native language' is a refrain often heard to laugh off why there's a requirement for English but it's to show a basic level of competency in being able to communicate ideas and comprehend instructions.) There may be other jobs that don't, and academic achievement certainly isn't the only measure of competency but it is a useful one if you can do well, and means you don't have to find other ways to demonstrate it. I don't know how much life has changed since I did my GCSEs but that long summer was one that felt like freedom, hard earned after all our hard work, and I hope your summer will feel similar once you've done your exams :)

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Spoon-Fed-Badger@reddit

I fluffed my GCSEs as I was not in the right headspace to learn as a kid, I liked getting stoned, drinking, hanging out with older kids. I got a job in a factory when I left school and wasted years of my younger life. I redid my maths and English at 39yo whilst holding down a management job in order to do a level 7 diploma as I needed grades to get into the course, hard as hell, I struggled like mad for four years to get promoted to where I am now, uphill all the way. My advice would be get the education and tick the boxes now, older you will thank you for it, now you will get fed up studying for them but so worth not having to go back to school as an adult.

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whyy_i_eyes_ya@reddit

Did mine in 2000. Did well but no one ever asked for proof. Never picked up my certificates. Finally needed to prove Maths and English for a course 24 years later. Bless them, my school, which was shite, still had them waiting for collection. Very impressed.

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Slightly_underated@reddit

I have never ever had to evidence/prove or even show my GCSE grades in any job I have gone for. I am doing well for myself too. Not beyond working class of course but I live comfortably. I could have said I got straight A's and it wouldn't have mattered. I didn't get anywhere close to an A in any of my GCSE's.

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yearsofpractice@reddit

Hey OP. 49 year old married father of two here. I have made a decent success out of my life. I will say to you what my father said to me and what his father said to him before that - “No matter what results you get, you can retake exams if you want to. There are many paths through life” Look - exam results ***are*** important to proceed to the next level of study/qualifications etc… but not one person will ever even consider ***how*** you got the exam results. Yes, feel the pressure - it makes the success and feeling of achievement feel that much sweeter… but please also remember that there is no finish line in life and everyone is running their own race.

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Parking_Dear@reddit

I've got a Masters degree and some employers still care if I got a C in GCSE Maths.

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Amanensia@reddit

GCSEs are crucial to get you into your desired A level courses. A levels are crucial to get you into your desired degree course. If you aren’t planning that sort of academic route, they are obviously much less important, although decent results in maths and English will make most forms of employment easier.

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sockeyejo@reddit

It's not the qualifications or the grades but the transferable skills you learn along the way. Even learning to deal with the stress of revision and exam nerves is a massive life lesson. See also taking ownership of time management and setting priorities and meeting deadlines.

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dospc@reddit

English and Maths, yes crucial. Others, less so.

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Main_Protection8161@reddit

I was in the second or third year to sit GCSE exams(iirc) in 1990. They were important for me to move on to A Levels, and then onto University. They probably existed on a list on my CV many many years ago, I've never been asked for certificates in order to get a job. That's not to say that they are irrelevant, they are a stepping stone to your next phase in life. As you get older, those early stepping stones become less relevant to your next stepping stone

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Elusive_Zergling@reddit

Took them in the '90s and failed all of them (got Ds across the board). I did not do well and and these were not my expected results at all; It really didn't affect anything I went for because I felt like I understood things, especially computers and how they worked (a big plus back in the 90s), I also had confidence and was hard-working which paid off, it mattered back then more than now. Failing my GCSEs was a wrong I wanted to put right, even if it meant nothing to the job I was working in at the time, so retook Maths, English and German in the mid/late 2000s - got 2 A's and a C and did feel a weight off my shoulders whenever I applied for anything thereafter.

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FudgingEgo@reddit

Never got them, never been asked for them, earn more than basically everyone I personally know who has them. But I work in a specific industry that is more interested in a portfolio of work, than an exam paper.

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CandyPink69@reddit

I left school with 1 GCSE. I am 32 and training to be a nurse. It’s really hard doing it at this age. If I had my time again I wish I’d knuckled down, it’s only 2 years of your life.

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Crochet-panther@reddit

I did the equivalent of 13 GCSEs back in 2006. (Some GCSE, some ICT things that worked out as the equivalent of x GCSEs). Maths and English yes, needed. Other than that once I got in to the A levels I wanted to do and passed them the GCSEs were irrelevant. Employers do not care about them, but I still have to type them out occasionally on job applications. If I could say anything to 14 year old me choosing them it would be ‘remember you have to write these multiple times in full’. It did however help fill out a two page CV when I had very little wor experience 🤣

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Substantial-Fox-6764@reddit

It was very important for getting into A levels, which was very important for getting into university. After that? Not much

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RealMrIncredible@reddit

They have been required and checked in every job I ever got, even though I have a Degree in Computer Science. HR often just box-ticks

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AdEmbarrassed3066@reddit

When I'm employing someone, I look to the person, not their qualifications... to some extent. Most of the people I employ have degrees, but I don't really care if they got top marks at GCSE. I don't really care if their degree is in the right subject if they're the right person. But big companies have HR departments. HR professionals make rules about who gets employed. They protect the companies from risky hires by placing minimum qualifications. Unless you have a guaranteed way into employment, say, through an apprenticeship with your dad's friend, you'd be mad to not try your best.

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Personal-Listen-4941@reddit

As someone who has conducted interviews & hired people. They are less important, if you already have a job history that would utilise the same skillset. However if your previous jobs don’t involve maths more complex than telling time, and you’re applying for a job where you need to be mathematically proficient then I would need to see GCSE or equivalent qualifications in maths.

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Abortion_Omelette@reddit

I have never been asked to prove my GCSE results, is all I'll say.

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h00dman@reddit

My maths gcse convinced me I wasn't good at maths for a long time. Oh well. \*laughs in Senior Analyst*

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MiddleAgeCool@reddit

Until I was about 25 and had some work experience and then after that, it's always been the work that's mattered over whether I received a D in German.

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Overthinker-dreamer@reddit

My brother had to redo his math GCSE 3 times because he needed a C to do the college course he wanted to do. I needed 5 C's to do my college course. It depends on what you want to do.

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gettin-swole@reddit

Zero impact. I’ve got no GCSEs, and no formal qualifications. But I’m naturally intelligent, get along with people, built good relationships and ended up with a good job on 60k a year. There’s way more to life than qualifications. That being said, if you’ve got the opportunity to get them, it can’t hurt. I never had that opportunity.

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amoozzz@reddit

No one has ever asked me what GCSEs I got or what grades since I applied to uni. When I left uni I simply put qualifications in a list on my cv and no one has ever asked me about them in 20 years and no one has ever verified that I have them, even my degree has not been verified EVER.

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Dutch_Slim@reddit

They got me my first job, which led to my whole working career. They’re also my only educational qualifications (dropped out of a-levels after a year). So very important initially, and then completely inconsequential!

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Sharktistic@reddit

GCSE's are really just your ticket to the next stage of life whether it be education or work. Basic jobs will require basic GCSE results (C in mathe and English). If you're going on to do A levels, your GCSE results will become irrelevant, as will your A level results if you go on to do a degree. Whether it be GCSE's or some other tiered qualification, people don't tend to care about the previous results because you must have met a minimum standard to have your current result.

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espionage64@reddit

Have a look at what qualifications you need for your next level of education as some are very specific. In my area, accountancy, I had to have passed maths and english gcse despite my A-levels, one of which was Maths.

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astronemma@reddit

GCSEs were super important going into my A-Levels. My A-Levels were super important going into my undergraduate degree. My undergraduate degree was super important going into my postgrad. Now, it’s only really my postgrad qualification that is relevant in life — but to get here I had to build on my education at each stage. You just have to make the most of that stage where you’re at, and build on it in the direction you want to go.

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RobertdeBilde@reddit

In the sense that reasonable grades meant I could do A-levels, and that led to a degree, and that to a professional career, then a lot. If that’s not for you then take the advice of others - just speaking for me.

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Paraddidles321@reddit

Not very but my most recent job did ask to see evidence for my GCSE’s, A Levels and my degree, 3 months after I’d already been working for them. I didn’t even know where all my certificates were.

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Revolutionary_West56@reddit

Absolutely fuck all. They’re literally just a stepping stone into getting into college, where you don’t need top grades to do. It’s the A levels that matter a bit more as they are a stepping stone to getting into certain universities if that’s what you want, but you also don’t need top grades to go to a university

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Still-Bill2827@reddit

They are not relevant in the real world whatsoever.

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Larlar001@reddit

This is not true in all cases. I have two BScs and an MSc with 15 years experience in my career and I still get asked to evidence that I have Maths and English GCSE. It depends what career path you choose I guess.

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Glittering-Round7082@reddit

The results might not be but the contents are. I was looking at a bar chart on a computer yesterday, trying to interpret results. Something I learned to do at school 35 years ago.

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Still-Bill2827@reddit

Well yeah but that's not what they asked.

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ComplexBeautiful5152@reddit

In my 50's git a u in maths was top set. Retook twice highest i got was a d. I completed my nurse training and then went on to get a bachelor of science. So my 4 c grade gcse results didn't hold me back.

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elvisonaZ1@reddit

63 yo here, they were CSEs in my day, changed shortly after, and I can honestly say they have had no bearing whatsoever on my life or career. I’ve earned a good living in sales throughout my life and never have I ever had to produce any proof of school exam results since starting work at 16.

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DoctorRaulDuke@reddit

In the main it was GCEs (O levels) and then CSEs were introduced along side in 1963 as an exam series for people not expected to do O levels. Then GCSEs came out in ‘86 as a merge of the two.

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Larlar001@reddit

I guess it depends what you want to do in life. I failed my maths GCSE and I have found it incredibly difficult throughout my career without it. Most college and uni applications want a minimum grade C (don't know what this is in today's money) in Maths and English, sometimes a science. I now have 2 BScs and an MSc and I still get asked on job applications to evidence I have a grade C in maths and English- I suppose they just want to know you have a basic level understanding in those subjects, so those saying it doesn't matter after you leave education- it can still matter. Don't stress yourself out too much, study and do your best and I am sure you will be fine.

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FarAd8547@reddit

I’m 26. I left school in 2016 with my best grade being an E. I bought my house at 22 (Mortgaged) I have around £30,000 in my bank and now earn £23 an hour. I wasn’t given anything. It hasn’t been easy but it’s doable. If i can do it anyone can. Believe in yourself and take risks. Good luck mate.

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Gold-Perception-8021@reddit

Until you have either a degree or diploma or qualified profession they matter simply to get you to the next step in education/profession.

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Isgortio@reddit

As a teenager, not much at all. For my apprenticeship, not much. To go to work? No one cared. To apply for a dental degree? Suddenly they're the most important thing in the world. With A*AA at A level, I still wasn't able to apply for dentistry because they wanted me to have 7 or 8 As at GCSE (I think that's a 7 or 8 with the number system?), and I only got a few As and the rest were Bs. If I want to do post-grad dentistry, I'll still be expected to have those GCSEs even if I have a degree already. So it depends on what you want to do. If you can aim for a high grade, then do so. It costs a lot to retake them when you're an adult (at least £400 per subject!). But not everyone is academic and if you're not trying to get into a degree that gives you a Dr. title, you're probably fine with just passing your GCSEs. But always aim high :)

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missiongiraffe@reddit

GCSEs got me to college where I got A Levels, but not really very good ones. Good enough to get me to Uni where I flourished and was funded to do a PhD. Post PhD I applied for graduate schemes, and multiple companies (Accenture, PwC, can’t remember others) refused to let me apply because my A levels were meh, even as a person with a first class BSc and a PhD. It really pissed me off, but there we are. In the end I did get a grad scheme place, at somewhere that’s has treated me very well and I’m now a senior manager. So take from this whatever you will.

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swordoftruth1963@reddit

They are the gateway to further and higher education and become less relevant once that's been achieved. There are quite a few jobs that require English and maths GCSES so those two can be important later on

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jingscrivvens61@reddit

I went to school in Scotland, got 7 'O' Grades and 4 Highers. When I joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice they wanted to see all and any paperwork. It helped immensely as l only did 8 months instead of a year of Initial training, then Accelerated Advancement on my way to Senior Rate status. Stay in school, kids!

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jibba_0@reddit

Only needed to get to the next stage of education. I'm 40 and did go to uni, but no one has ever asked for a GCSE certificate, I think of all that time we were forced to spend completing our personal statements and record of achievement as wasted time. That said, if there is any prospect of wanting to go into further education they will be essential.

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Glueshooter68@reddit

Having worked with young people and reading between the lines, it reads as if you are looking for an excuse not to work at it- or work hard at it.

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Techpreist_X21Alpha@reddit

Besides making sure i could do a-levels in sixth form, it hasn't really impacted me much. most employers want university degrees. You could argue that A-levels were more important as i had to get the relevant grades to get into all important university. Failing that, most go into College and take practical courses and find work that way. In some ways with the rise of AI and cost of university it looks more and more like a better option these days.

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SpaceTimeCapsule89@reddit

I'm older. It has had absolutely zero impact on me. I can't even remember what I got to be honest. I just put whatever, no one has ever actually checked! What I will say though is, I did them when the internet wasn't really a thing, everything was still paper based. I'm sure there's better ways of checking now.

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Traditional_Fox2428@reddit

I wish I had tried harder at maths. Other than that not much else other than being an important stepping stone to the next stage. GCSE’s to do a levels. A levels to do uni. Uni to do masters. The only other time I’ve been asked about GCSEs is when I did an MBA and they wanted me to do some extra tests as I didn’t get an A in maths.

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originallyale@reddit

My first job asked what I got. Beyond that I’ve never had to mention them again!

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OriginalName456@reddit

Just get what you need to get results wise for the end result you’re looking for - after that, in the working world, it’s comical how little of a shit anyone gives about your GCSE results.

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Weird_Plenty_2898@reddit

Honestly I did pretty badly in my GCSEs but I got a C in Maths and English. But I do wish I tried harder in school. I had to show my GCSEs for college and when I joined the Army, other than that, no one has looked at them. I would focus on the top 3 Maths, English and Science. But don't give up on the rest.

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Forsaken1741@reddit

The actual results haven't affected me at all but all of the bullying I received at secondary school I'm still dealing with the mental issues over 10 years later. bit of a shitty deal if you ask me.

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imposterindisguis3@reddit

I failed maths twice at school. I passed English and science by pure fluke. Got kicked out of A levels for not working. At 19, I went to college to resit maths, purley out of choice as I thought I'd need it one day. At 21, working full time, I started a plethora of evening classes as a hobby. Quite my job and went to uni at 25. I couldn't have gotten in without Maths, English, and science. Fast forward 20 years, i retrained as a teacher. Again, i couldn't have gotten in without Maths English and Science. I would never have said I'd be a teacher, but here we are. Two excellent careers in my life plus a few dodgy jobs. But I needed the core subjects. I got a C in each.

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Stinkinhippy@reddit

Never really been in a line of work that required proving and even providing my face grades.

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sixe6throwaway@reddit

Matters for college, uni and if you do an apprenticeship as they will ask for GCSE certificates. Every other job I’ve had has never asked about my grades.

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Significant_Return_2@reddit

It’s difficult to say. I don’t have many qualifications and I can’t tell the difference between what I have and what I’d have if I had more. I was in the last year that had the old style exams, we were also the trial year for GCSEs. I have a mixture of GCSE, O level and CSE. It’s all very confusing, particularly to employers. There’s also the issue that my coursework in 3 subjects was at my teacher’s house. It was blown up in a gas explosion, along with the rest of her street. My results were based solely on the exam as a result, which probably benefitted me in the end. I earned terrible money for the first 10 years or so of my working life. I retrained into a new industry and now earn decent money. If you rely on your qualifications, when you don’t have much, then you’re on to a loser. Your first job seems to dictate what happens to you in most circumstances. You need to do your best to achieve a good first job. In my experience, the alternative to this is to learn a new skill set and get a job on that field. It’s not an easy thing to do though. I do realise that this will vary, but this is my experience.

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Active_Arugula_7079@reddit

Think of them as the key to the next level. Do your best, get your core subjects and you’ve got your set of keys. The more keys the better at this stage, sonput effort in to your none core subjects too, get a big jangly pile of keys. Then when you’re at the next level, they fade a little in terms of importance….unless, to be frank, you fck up the next level in which case they’ll be significantly important while you reavalute your next steps. In the grand scheme of a long life, this pressure is a little blip, it won’t last, ride the tiger! Good luck!

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BG3restart@reddit

Well they determined what I got to study at A level, which determined what I'd study for my degree, which ultimately determined what direction my career would take. I suppose how important they are depends very much on where you see yourself going in the future.

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ThrowRAkitty13@reddit

What you do well in GCSEs leads to what subjects you can do at A-Levels and then the A-Levels you do lead to a degree. If you want to do a science subject at uni then it's good to get top grades for GCSE so you can do the required A-Level subject for the degree requirements for example. I unfortunately didn't do well in a GCSE subject I wanted so couldn't do it at A-Level so it screwed my plans a lot.

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FluidSock9774@reddit

No not worth the stress. Even if you don’t get the grades for college that you need (if that’s the pathway you are taking) there are other ways to get onto courses. I’ve never had a job check my GCSE’s. Once you get into the working world it’s more about job experience that employers are interested in

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Psychological-Bag272@reddit

They were extremely important to me. I came to the UK at 14 without being able to speak English, so my GCSEs were my main opportunity to break through the barrier and integrate into life here. Without good GCSEs, the likely path for me would have been working in a Thai restaurant like many other Thai people. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it wasn’t what I wanted for myself. I ended up achieving one A, two Bs, and three Cs, which got me into a sixth form and then on to university. That progression really set me up for life. No one cares about GCSEs once you’re at university, but at that stage they were a passport to the next step - and that step opened the door to many other successes.

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jimicus@reddit

Nobody gave a damn about my GCSEs post-A level - and nobody really cared about my A-levels post-degree.

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Mandalabouquet@reddit

I needed 5 GCSE’s passed including maths english and science to get into the uni course(s) I’ve done, which I need for my job.. I did have to provide the certificates. There were lots of people at college having to resit them. This is healthcare registered professions. My husband failed all his GCSEs and for his current job he’s got to do maths and English again, and pass them. This is for the energy industry.

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Glittering-Round7082@reddit

I ended up getting a job that required 5 at grades A-C. If I hadn't got them I wouldn't have got the career that I did. But it's not the end of the world. You will be in the workplace a very long time. What you got in GCSEs becomes less important the more work experience you have. Besides you can retake them whenever and as often as you want.

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lydiaar@reddit

I don't want you to feel stressed because *just* passing is most important (I was/am terrible for putting a lot of pressure on myself to overachieve) but there are a few reasons why. Firstly, getting you to the next stage (whether you want to go straight into A levels or equivalent or not) - and it's not just about memorising information, you're showing commitment etc etc. and at this point, there's probably some room on your CV. Secondly, for further work and education, you do learn good skills and gain useful knowledge. Your core skills in maths, for example, help throughout your life. English skills and good communication come in handy every day as well. A decent working of a range of subjects gives you a good foundation. Personally, I have had three job roles where I had to show GCSE certificates (one for a work visa - we are so lucky that these doors are open to us) and now I am currently entering post-grad study (for a second time) and again I have had to send my English GCSE certificate. So yes, it feels hard now but do what you can to get them 🧡 (and then keep them somewhere safe because they are EXPENSIVE and AWKWARD to replace, especially if they are across different exam boards)

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BoulderBrexitRefugee@reddit

Getting 8 passing grades let me go to college. Going to college let me work in tech. Working in tech let me move to another country. Moving to another country let me earn a good salary. Earning a good salary let me have the money to eat well, take holidays, save for retirement, look after my wife and kids etc. I'd say they were pretty important. It's unlikely you'd ever regret doing well in them. It's entirely possible you would regret doing poorly.

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fuzzydogpaws@reddit

They are helpful when you’re young. It’s hard to get to A-levels and undergraduate without GCSE’s. Having GCSE’s gives you those options. However, when you’re older they don’t matter.

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Michael198876@reddit

Got six A-Cs 2004, dropped out of sixth form. Did an Access course in my 20s, for which I just needed to demonstrate a certain level of maths and English for entry. Went to uni, got an English degree. In my 30s I applied for a Civil service job - I had to produce GCSEs for the above, my degree was irrelevant to them. Fortunately, I dug out the National Record of Achievement from my folks'.

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marcdk217@reddit

When I started out in the late 90s, companies would look for "5 A to C's" as a sign you are a somewhat competent adult, but they never asked about them or had any interest in the NRA we were told we needed to take everywhere. I think they're generally more used to get a college placement but now 6th form or college are more or less mandatory, I bet they don't even care about them there anymore.

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Linusami@reddit

Keep at it, they open up other opportinties to further your education.

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Cruxed1@reddit

English + Maths at C other than that almost completely irrelevant. My college course was 5 A*s to C that's the last time anyone asked.

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Maleficent-Win-6520@reddit

Very important. I struggled to get an apprenticeship as I wasn’t allowed to do Physics and I’m shite at maths. I’ve got there in the end.

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Illustrious-Berry375@reddit

In a saturated job market it would probably be against you not to have passed at least the basics. For me personally it enabled me to take the A-levels I needed for entry to my BSc and eventually MSc so without those GCSE’s I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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Alarming-Safety3200@reddit (OP)

i'm passing all but its just that I feel like Im putting too much pressure on myself

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SmileyTab@reddit

I’m a reasonably successful teacher. I have 1 GCSE (Maths), no A Levels and a degree in the subject I teach. I’d say get your GCSEs, but don’t torture yourself over them. They’re often a good stepping stone to other things.

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cgknight1@reddit

I left school with three and had to retake English at College. That set me on a road that led to a PhD and big bags of cash. So pretty important.

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FormalAd604@reddit

I had to show GCSE certificates in work, despite the fact I have A Levels and a Degree (they didn’t ask to see those weirdly enough!). I think it was to make sure I had at least a C in Maths and English, but even if I haven’t gained that when I was 16, college would have had me re-do them alongside my A-Levels. It’s important to do what you’re capable of, but nobody can ask you to do more than that. And if there’s something you genuinely don’t understand, just ask a teacher. They’d rather help you and see you try than not help and have you suffer, even if you don’t do that well.

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lexx-ray@reddit

Focus on the core subjects, Maths, Science and English. I've had employers ask for a C or above in those all my working life (I'm 40 now), the rest of them never really meant anything unless you want to do A Levels or go to Uni.

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New-Assumption-3106@reddit

Not at all. I got mine then missed A levels due to family issues, then went to college and did a HND course, which I didn't finish. Put the GCSEs and the HND on my CV. Nobody ever asked for proof.

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Mr-Incy@reddit

Although I listed the ones I took and the grades I got when applying for my first job, I wasn't asked about them and after that I took them off my CV because I had a job to put on it instead. I am 50,, jobs were easier to get when I was younger compared to people at that age now.

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Jaded-Sir-7927@reddit

Quite significantly I think. I left school at 16 with no qualifications so had to do NC and had to HNC to get to UNI. Having no Nat 5s/GCSEs meant I wasnt able to consider teaching a potenial career choice. Its ironic as I would have been especially good at it I believe given that it was only after I left I realised the importance of education.

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CertainFurball@reddit

More than having bronze and silver D of E ever did!

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Unstableavo@reddit

I left school at 16 with one. Got another at 18. I do feel it has affected me only being able to get minimum wage jobs. But everytime I tried to get higher paid jobs I don't have the qualifications or experience. But like the poster below no one has ever asked to see the results. So I could just lie. I'm almost 15 years down the line now so I guess i could claim I have it and just forgot the knowledge.

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

Most exams are just your ticket to the next level and then they stop mattering. The exception is GCSE English and Maths. Not having those is likely to be an issue when to comes to getting career jobs, even once you have relevant experience.

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No_Coast7196@reddit

They were important to get me into my A levels, which I needed to progress to the course I wanted at university. I also had to produce the certificates later in life when I retrained as a teacher, to prove that I had done them.

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Icy-Astronomer-8202@reddit

Not at all

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Accurate-Republic763@reddit

I did quite well in them, then I developed schizophrenia and ended up on disability, I don't work a job currently. But that's contextual of schizophrenia, which greatly damages social function and is it's own thing. I'm just saying good school results is no guarantee of a 'thriving' outcome.

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EvilTaffyapple@reddit

Apart from gaining entry to university I don’t remember ever having to prove them for jobs. I’m 42 now.

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