For competitive courses where places are limited, admissions tutors will be looking for the highest grades.

The GCSE stage has always been accepted as an important point in any student’s education marking, as it does, the first public examination of a nationally recognised qualification.

In recent years though, it has carried increasing weight. The requirement of at least five grades of C or better has become the standard measure of success for schools and pupils.

Progression to further study at advanced level now often depends on attaining specified grades in particular subjects.

In offering places many universities will take GCSE performance into account.

For competitive courses where places are limited, admissions tutors will be looking for the highest grades.

It is therefore essential that students take advantage of every available means to raise their grades, whether to meet those basic requirements, or to push on to the higher levels, particularly in the core subjects in which the failure to achieve grades of C or higher can preclude entry in later years into some professions and university degrees.

In the case of maths, even if the student is not continuing onto A-Level study in maths, or another subjects such as economics which requires a good level of mathematical ability, it is still worth considering a retake if the grade is below a C, as a B or better in maths at GCSE is a mandatory requirement for a wide range of university degree courses, particularly in the field of business studies.

Likewise, with English, many humanities courses at university have English language requirements and it is certainly the case that admissions officers for essay-based courses will look unfavourably upon applicants who have not achieved a B in English language at GCSE.

A good grade in science GCSEs is also useful in later life. For example, to undertake the PGCE to become a primary school teacher, applicants need to have CC or better in double award science.

There are also GCSE requirements for a range of professions, including the police and armed forces.

A good option for students who have fallen short of the grades they require now, or may require later, is to consider a November or May retake under the Cambridge International examination board.

The syllabuses are easy to understand and administer and involve fewer examinations and less, if any, coursework. Thus, the workload can be incorporated into a study plan towards A-Levels and can be undertaken and completed in Year 12, in good time for university applications and while the basic course content is still relatively fresh in the student’s mind.