Resitting exams can feel like a setback. But here’s the truth: many students take a second shot at GCSEs or A-Levels and still go on to become brilliant doctors.
Medicine is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re willing to learn from the past and plan smartly, resits can be the beginning of a stronger application, not the end of the road.
Step 1: Change the Mindset
A resit isn’t a failure - it’s a reset. You now know what went wrong the first time (study habits, exam technique, life circumstances). The key is to turn that knowledge into a smarter plan.
Ask yourself:
- Did I need more consistent revision?
- Was exam stress my weakness?
- Did I choose the wrong techniques (passive reading vs active recall)?
Owning the why sets you up for a different outcome this time.
Step 2: Target the Right Medical Schools
Not every medical school accepts A-Level resits, but many do. That’s where strategy comes in. If I were resitting, I’d focus only on universities that openly allow resit applicants.
Here are some of the main ones:
- Exeter – accepts resits, treated equally.
- Manchester – considers resits, expects BBB first sitting.
- Nottingham – allows up to two resits (must achieve AAA).
- Plymouth – accepts resits if ABB was achieved first time.
- Liverpool – considers resits, but expects ABB at first sitting.
- Southampton – one resit per subject allowed.
- St George’s – one resit per A-Level, all in same year.
- Sunderland – one resit per subject; must improve grade.
- Hull York (HYMS) – allows resits if BBB first sitting.
Step 3: Build a Stronger Application Around Your Resit
Since some admissions teams may see resits as a weakness, you need to show extra strengths elsewhere:
- UCAT: Aim higher than average ~2100+
- Personal Statement: Reflect on resilience and growth. Show what changed.
- Work Experience: Add new volunteering, shadowing, or caring roles.
- Interviews: Be ready to explain your resit with honesty and maturity.
Framing is everything: “I faced setbacks, learned from them, and came back stronger” is exactly the kind of resilience medical schools value.
Step 4: Use the Gap Year Wisely
If you’re taking a year out for resits, don’t just focus on exams. Use the time to:
- Volunteer in healthcare or caring roles.
- Read about the NHS and current medical challenges.
- Practice UCAT consistently from spring.
- Build habits that will serve you in medical school (active recall, reflection, consistency).
That way, you won’t just look like a resit applicant, you’ll look like a more mature, committed, and resilient future doctor.
Final Word
If I were resitting and still aiming for medicine, my game plan would be simple:
- Pick only the medical schools that accept resits.
- Smash the UCAT to prove I’m competitive.
- Use the year to grow: academically, personally, and through experiences.
- Frame my resit as resilience, not weakness.
Because here’s the truth: medicine is full of setbacks and second chances. How you respond matters more than the stumble itself.
And sometimes, the doctors who had to fight hardest to get in end up being the most empathetic, resilient, and effective.
At The Med Den, we help resit applicants map out their strategy from choosing the right schools to rebuilding confidence.
👉 Want tailored advice on resits and your med school application? Join our Telegram community or check out our resources at themedden.org.