The February exam results were released today.

Well done to all of you who have been rewarded for your efforts with a pass, or pass with commendation.

We'd really like to know how you got on; only you, the RHS and your exam centre know your results but if you'd share them with us, it would help us to know if we are getting our teaching right.

Also, we are in the process of re-vamping the main website, and including in it some of the nice things people have said to us - if you have any comments you wouldn't mind sharing, please do send them!

If you didn't pass this time, don't despair but think about the exam process:

Were you really prepared for the topics? Did the phrasing of the questions throw you? Did the timing  seem much too tight for what you wanted to put down?

Getting what you know onto paper in the time allowed is a separate skill - it doesn't seem 'fair' but to do well in exam-based qualifications you  need to learn how to pass exams, as well as learn your subjects.

Talk to your tutor and check that you are reading questions correctly; offering the information they want at the level they expect;  not digressing and wasting your precious time without gaining credit ....

It is possible to get a re-mark [ see the RHS website for details], but if your result shows you 'just' failed I would recommend  that you don't bother: all papers that are 5 marks above/ below pass, and above/below pass with commendation, are automatically second-marked and then checked by the senior examiner.

If you really want detailed feedback, though, it is possible to have a complete remark with feedback on how well you addressed the questions - it's quite an expensive process, though. Details are on the RHS website.

Perhaps the best response to a failure may be to work out how to succeed well the next time round....we'll do our best to help you!

Janet