Centres and candidates sometimes think a ‘retake’ is simply when the candidate sits a subject again. However, we have a specific definition of a ‘retake’ entry, and It is important to understand this definition.
Understanding what a retake entry is means your centre(s) works to the correct entry deadline and we do not charge late entry fees unnecessarily.
If a candidate is entered in the March series for the same syllabus they entered for in the preceding November series (regardless of the entry options selected in each series), their March entry qualifies as a retake entry. This would include situations where candidates are sitting AS in November and completing their A level in the following March series.
We provide a later deadline for retake entries, so centres have time to review results from the previous series and make informed decisions about making a retake entry in the following series.
As we do not release November series results until early January, we set the retake deadline for the March series as 22 January.
Centres must indicate an entry is a retake at the point of submission – you cannot change the retake indicator once you have submitted an entry. If you do not tell us an entry is a retake by ticking the retake indicator box, we will charge you late entry fees for any entries, or amendments to entries, made after the 27 November, the first-time entries deadline.
What is a retake entry?
We define an entry as a retake when all of the following are true:
- The candidate took the same syllabus, regardless of the option code, in the exam series immediately before the one you are making the entry for
- The exam series the entry is being made for has a separate deadline for retake entries
- You tell us the entry is a retake, when you first submit the entry to us, by ticking the ‘retake’ box next to the entry. You cannot do this at a later date.
For example:
If you enter a candidate for the same syllabus in the March series as they had entered in the previous November series (regardless of the entry options selected) the March entry qualifies as a retake. You would need to tick the retake entry box when you make the entry and work towards our retake entry deadline for the March series.
This includes where candidates sit their AS Level exams in November and complete the A Level in March.
Because candidate do not receive their November results until a few days before the first entry deadline for March series entries, we set a later deadline for retake entries so schools and candidates can make retake decisions based on their November results.
You must tick the ‘retake’ box for all syllabus entries at the point of submission on Direct for them to qualify as a retake. You cannot add this retrospectively after you have submitted the entry.
If you do not tick the retake indicator when you submit the original entry to us, and the first-time entries deadline has passed, the system will automatically apply late entry fees to the entry and any amendments to the entry.