As thousands of students across the country await their A-Level results, even more are preparing to receive their BTEC grades.
Those who partook in a vocational subject, described by UCAS as "specialist work-related qualifications", will be hoping to use their pass to help with university applications, or head straight into the working world.
BTECs - which stand for the Business and Technology Education Council, which provides qualifications - are designed for young people interested in a particular sector or industry, but who are not yet sure what job they’d like to do.
The national qualifications can be taken alongside other subjects at school or colleges, or even taken as part of an apprenticeship.
But when is BTEC results day?
BTECs are coming out this year on Thursday August 18.
BTEC results are usually released to students slightly before, or on the same day as A-Level results, which this year is also August 18.
According to The Uni Guide, the exact date results are given will depend on the school or college.
They normally receive BTEC results the day before A-Level results are released, but students may just be given them on the same day as A-Levels.
Because BTEC results are normally made up of combined units, some students will already have an idea of what grade they are currently sitting on before discovering their final result.
How are BTECs graded?
Every BTEC student takes core units, which provide a broad understanding about the sector they are studying.
There is a range of additional optional units, which enable students to hone in on a particular interest that could help guide them into further study, an apprenticeship or employment.
The course involves a series of assignments that can be written or activity-based, for example, film production or creating a business plan.
These tasks can either be completed individually or as part of a team, depending on the project.
How do BTEC grades compare to A-Levels?
The pass grades for BTEC Nationals are:
Distinction* (D*) – equivalent in the UCAS tariff to an A*
Distinction (D) – equivalent to an A
Merit (M) – equivalent to a C
Pass (P) – equivalent to an E
Near pass (N) – this grade is available on most BTEC Nationals. It means that you may still be able to pass the overall course without having passed every individual unit.
What happens after receiving your BTEC grade?
After the completion of a BTEC National qualification, students can move towards employment or continue their education in similar areas of study, through both higher education or professional development programmes like apprenticeships.
