Q&A: A-levels - expert advice 2014

Nick Davy of the Association of Colleges and Sonia Sodha of Which? University, answer your questions about A-Level results

What do you do if your grades are different from what you were expecting? Continuing changes to the education system mean the situation can be confusing.

With only a few days to secure a university place or take an alternative path, getting the right advice is key.

Experts Sonia Sodha of Which? University and Nick Davy, higher education manager at the Association of Colleges, are offering advice to readers with unexpected results.

YOUR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Brighton has accepted me with two Cs and a D for a BA in sociology. Does this sound correct or have they or Ucas made an error? Louise

I have an E in maths. Does this count as a pass or a fail? Daniel, Liverpool

Can I still apply for university at this stage even if I didn't apply earlier in the year? I want to study accounting and have a BTEC level three in business with AS-maths. Kamrul

I got two Bs and an E and am disappointed with my grades. I wonder if you think it would be sensible to have one of the papers re-marked or whether it would be possible and a good idea to retake the paper that is an E grade in an attempt to get three Bs. I am having a gap year and haven't applied anywhere yet and am not sure if I should just apply somewhere with the grades I have or whether three Bs would give me better choices. Lucy

My A-level results weren't anywhere near what I was expecting, much lower than both my predicted and required grades for the university place I was offered. However logging on to Ucas this morning I find out that despite my poor results I have been accepted into university. I am wondering if I should question my tutors at college about my results and if I should look at getting them remarked. Pearce

My results are much worse than expected. I got C in psychology, D in biology and U in physics. So I only have two really. I am interested in life-sciences and I would like to study in or near Manchester. Are there any universities that will accept my grades or are there any other options? Sana

I was predicted AAA and achieved As in chemistry and history and B in biology. I applied for medicine last year but got no interviews and no offers. I am planning a gap year and have a contract as a science and maths tutor at a local secondary school. Will I still be able to apply for medicine last year with these results? Rochelle, Manchester

These results are a joke! My brother wants to go to Cambridge and now because they decide to change the boundaries he has ended up with 2 B's and 2 C's which means Cambridge won't offer a place. He was predicted A's! If the boundaries were the same as the mock he took he should have got 2 A's and 2 B's! Now my brother feels like his dreams have been taken away from him because of a stupid system! Jack, Nottingham

My daughter wanted to become a nurse. She went to four interviews and was told she was too young and to get some life experience. Her results were ABBC. She was so disappointed that she didn't go for Clearing. They are crying out for nurses. What can she do? Kev

I got terrible results. I worked hard all year and the highest I got was a D. The grade boundaries have risen and it's awful and so hard to compete. Ashlea

I missed out on my first choice by two grades. When I phoned them to ask if there was any flexibility they told me the government fines them £7,500 per year for every candidate they accept below the offer grades. Is this true? It does not seem fair and is not consistent with the government saying it wants to lift the cap on aspiration.