Exam results messages

Results day cuts two ways in the same family. These messages are split so you can send the right one without guessing.

Fifty five below, including the hardest category - what to write when it did not go their way.

GCSE results congratulations

• You worked for these and it shows. Well done.
• Brilliant results and a brilliant summer earned.
• So proud of you - and not just for the grades.
• All those revision evenings just paid off.
• Congratulations. Now put the books down properly.
• You did that. Nobody else. You.
• A great set of results and the start of the good bit.
• Whatever comes next, you go into it strong.
• Well done - go and celebrate loudly.
• We knew you could. Lovely to be right.

A level and university results

• Congratulations - the offer is yours and so is the credit.
• Two years of work, one envelope, brilliant outcome.
• Off to university and thoroughly deserving of it.
• You held your nerve all year. This is the payoff.
• Whatever you choose next, you have earned the choice.
• Massive congratulations from all of us.
• First choice, first class effort.
• The results are great. Watching you get them was better.
• Go and enjoy every bit of what comes next.
• You are going to be excellent at this.

Degree results

• Three years, one degree, endless late nights - congratulations.
• Graduate! It sounds good written down.
• You earned every letter after your name.
• Congratulations on a result that reflects the work.
• The dissertation is finished and so is the panic.
• Well done - the hard part is behind you and the interesting part is next.
• So proud of everything it took to get here.
• Enjoy this. You will not get another first week after finals.

When results were not what they hoped

• One set of grades does not decide what you are capable of.
• There is always another route. There always has been.
• I know today is disappointing. It does not change what I think of you.
• Take today to be gutted. Tomorrow we look at options.
• Clearing, resits, apprenticeships - none of them are second best.
• Plenty of people you admire got results they did not want.
• You worked hard. That is still true today.
• This is a setback, not a verdict.
• Call me when you want to talk, or when you do not.
• Whatever you decide next, I am in your corner.

Messages from teachers and tutors

• You improved more than anyone in the class this year.
• A pleasure to teach and a fine set of results.
• You asked good questions all year and it shows here.
• Congratulations - you got out exactly what you put in.
• Go on to the next thing with the same attitude.
• Delighted for you, and not remotely surprised.
• You made my job easy. Best of luck with what comes next.

Browse graduation cards

How to write it so it lands

• Do not compare siblings or friends' results in the same card.
• For a disappointing result, offer a specific next conversation rather than instant advice.

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Frequently asked questions

What do you say when someone gets bad exam results?

Acknowledge the disappointment first, avoid immediately listing options, and say plainly that the result does not change your opinion of them.

Should you send a card before or after results day?

Send a good luck card before and a congratulations card after. The one that arrives on the day itself is hard to pitch either way.