A-Level results day is inevitably an anxious one for anyone who sat the exams in the summer. For those in the first year of the sixth form, the results will hopefully provide confirmation of the hard work put in earlier in the academic year, and of the improvements made in knowledge and understanding of the subjects that were examined in May and June.

For some students there will be disappointments, and in many cases these may come as a surprise. It is important to take stock of such results. Mistakes in mark allocation are not unknown, but in the vast majority of cases the grades awarded represent a reliable measure of attainment. Where a candidate has not come up to scratch in a particular paper or papers, he or she should honestly consider whether the reasons for this are obvious, and what can be done to remedy the situation. The most common reason for underperformance is lack of preparation, both in terms of work done week-by-week and in the final month or two of revision.

Genuine recognition of the need for greater and more focused effort in the future will be of enormous benefit in the year ahead. Students should also investigate carefully the option of re-taking units which have attracted poor marks; otherwise they will lower the eventual A-Level grade, no matter how well the second year of the course progresses.

It is those who have completed their A-Levels in the summer, however, who will be most anxious of all, as a university place is likely to depend on the contents of the results envelope. Those who have met the conditions of either their firm or insurance acceptance offer are assured of a place, which will be confirmed on the Track pages of the UCAS website. Those who have missed these offers should keep a close eye on Track, but at the same time they should immediately investigate the places available in UCAS clearing, which provides a listing of unfilled places on August 19, after the initial allocations have been made. There are always some good places in clearing, though the number is likely to be reduced again this year as a result of an 11 per cent increase in applications at the same time as the Government has halved the 20,000 new places which had been planned for the autumn.

Good places in clearing always go quickly, so a swift reaction to disappointing results is essential. Students should keep an open mind about possible alternatives to their projected course. However, they must not make a hasty or ill-informed decision, nor take a place just to have somewhere to go, without any real sense that it is right for them.

Everyone who finds that they have missed their offers should take the opportunity to re-evaluate their goals, as well as honestly considering why they underperformed and determining to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

A gap year will be the best option for many. Admissions tutors and employers are increasingly aware of the perspectives and maturity it can bring. If results were only slightly below expectations, an amended UCAS application can be made for 2011 entry, and a useful planned year can be mapped out, perhaps to include travel, voluntary activities and work.

Those who feel, after realistic re-evaluation, that they can eliminate the difference between expectation and performance should consider re-taking selected A-Level units as part of their gap year. In many cases, these units may be re-examined in January, leaving the rest of the year free for travel, etc.

Where there is more ground to be made up, or where the required units are only examined in the summer, a full academic year may be needed to achieve a student’s goals. Whatever the length of the re-take course, careful consideration should be given as to the subjects and units to be re-taken.

When a gap year is carefully planned, and the most is made of every opportunity it offers, students can expect to enter university a year from now more focused on their goals and far better prepared to achieve them.

Charles Duncan, admissions tutor, Oxford Tutorial College