Previously I was Head of Sociology in a large comprehensive school with a sixth form and every year without fail there would be some students who didn’t get the A Level grade I anticipated or just missed the next grade by one or two marks. In these cases, we often arranged for a remark or a review of marking as it is called.
In many cases, students’ grades were changed for the better – I never had one go down a grade but, it could technically happen. My son had two A Levels reviewed and both subjects (Economics and Politics) were upgraded from D’s to C’s. This demonstrates just why it can be worth getting a review or remark because just one or two extra marks can make the difference.
Getting an unexpected result can be confusing and upsetting so here is what to do if it happens to you.
Why does it matter?
In its simplest terms, our students should get the results that they deserve, mark schemes can be subjective and as an examiner, you have a best-fit approach. I have marked exams before and it is hard and although there is moderation it is easy for mistakes or a marking error to be made. University applications and university places can also depend on A Level results and this can change the course of a student’s life if they have been given the wrong grade, therefore getting a review can be a good option.
What are A Levels?
Each A Level subject consists of a series of modules or units, and students are assessed through written exams and coursework. The final A Level grades are awarded on an A* (highest) to E (lowest) scale, and universities and employers widely recognize them as an important factor in college admissions and job applications.
A Levels can provide a strong foundation for pursuing a wide range of careers and academic pathways, including entry into universities in the UK and other countries. They are not the only pathway to higher education, but A Level exam results are a popular and well-respected option for students in the UK and many other parts of the world.
When students work hard for their exams and don’t receive the grade they were expecting or are very close to the next grade then they quickly need to speak to their teacher. The appeals process is started by the school or college the young person attended.
The child’s teacher will have already seen the results and they will know the grade boundaries so they will be in a position to complete a clerical check that nothing has been missed, unfortunately, lost papers do happen or a question/essay not marked. Then the next step is for the teacher to look at the exam paper, which is typically just one of the papers the student took to see if they can spot any issues that could result in a mark change.
If the teacher or head of department has spotted anything they will then look at getting a review of the marking which is not the same as a remark.
Remark or Review of marking?
A “remark” and a “review of marking” (often referred to as a “review” for short) are two different processes used in educational assessment systems, particularly in the context of exams and standardized testing. These processes are typically employed when a student or their school is dissatisfied with the result of an exam, and they want to challenge or question the marking of the exam.
1. Remark (also known as a Re-Mark or Re-Grading):
– A remark involves asking the exam board or the institution responsible for the assessment to re-evaluate the exam paper. The main purpose of a remark is to check if there were any errors in the original marking, such as misinterpretation or mistakes made by the examiners.
– During a remark, the entire exam paper is re-marked by a different examiner, or the original examiner rechecks their work.
– The outcome of a remark can result in the student’s grade being increased, decreased, or remaining the same, depending on the revised assessment.
– There may be a fee associated with requesting a remark.
2. Review of Marking:
– A review of marking (review) typically involves a senior examiner or a team of senior examiners reviewing the original marking without necessarily re-marking the entire paper.
– The focus of a review is to ensure that the marking scheme was applied correctly and consistently during the original assessment.
– If inconsistencies or marking errors are found, adjustments can be made to the student’s score without re-marking the entire paper.
– Like a remark, there may be a fee associated with requesting a review.
The key differences between the two processes lie in the extent of re-evaluation and the specific focus of the assessment. Remark requests usually involve a complete re-marking of the paper, while a review focuses on checking the marking for correctness and consistency. The outcomes of both processes can lead to overall grade changes or the grade remaining the same.
How to Get A Levels Remarked
These are the exact steps to be taken for a re-marking process. Private schools are typically likely to send lots back as financial constraints are less of an issue, but all schools can ask for reviews of marking.
Firstly it’s essential to consult the specific policies and procedures of the educational institution or exam board to understand the rules, deadlines, and costs associated with requesting a remark or review of marking. Keep in mind that not all exams or institutions offer these options, and the availability of these processes may vary.
If you want to get an A-level paper remarked, you can follow these general steps:
1. Check the Deadline: Make sure you are within the deadline for requesting a remark. This deadline is typically a few weeks after the release of results and the end date is usually around the end of September and there is no leeway on this. Check with your school or examination board for the specific deadline.
2. Discuss with Your Teacher: Before requesting a remark, it’s a good idea to discuss your concerns with your subject teacher. They can provide insights into your performance and whether it’s worth pursuing a remark. They will also know and understand the grade boundary and have an overview of how the whole cohort has done.
3. Contact Your School: You will usually need to go through your school to request a remark, there will be an exams officer who deals with the administration of this. They will have the necessary forms and information to initiate the process. Your teacher will be able to see a copy of your exam answers online and will be able to give an indication of whether a remark is a good idea.
4. Complete the Remark Request Form: Your school will provide you with a remark request form. Fill out this form, including the specific papers or components you want remarked on. Be sure to provide a clear and detailed reason for requesting the remark. Speak to your teacher about which unit or paper should be remarked as there is a cost to each individual paper not the subject as a whole.
5. Pay the Fee: There is often a fee associated with requesting a remark. This fee varies depending on the examination board and the subject. Make sure to pay the required fee, which may or may not be refundable if your grade is changed as a result of the remark. In my experience, if the grade changes you get the fee back. If you are a pupil premium student I’d suggest asking the school to cover this admin fee.
6. Submit the Request: Your school will submit the remark request on your behalf to the relevant examination board and post-results services. Ensure that the request is submitted before the deadline.
7. Wait for the Results: The remarking process can take some time, usually a few weeks as a chief examiner will do this priority remark. You will receive the results of the remark, which may result in no change, a higher marks and a higher grade, or a lower grade. Your school will be notified who will then notify you.
8. Decide on the Next Steps: If your grade is changed and you’re now satisfied with the result, congratulations, celebrate the good news! If the grade remains the same or is lower, you may need to decide whether to accept the new result or explore further options, such as appealing the decision. Usually, though any mistakes will have been spotted at this point and the mark scheme applied.
Remember that remarking doesn’t always result in a grade change, and in some cases, it might even result in a lower grade. It’s important to carefully consider the potential outcomes and the associated fees before requesting a remark. Additionally, the process may vary slightly depending on your specific examination board or country, so it’s a good idea to consult with your school for guidance on the specific steps and requirements in your case.
How much does it cost to have an A level paper remarked?
The cost of having an A-level paper remarked can vary depending on the examination board, the specific subject, and the level of remarking requested. The cost for a remark typically ranged from £30 to £60 (British pounds) per paper or component.
It’s important to note that these costs can change over time, and they may vary between examination boards and countries. Therefore, I strongly recommend checking with your school or the relevant examination board for the most current and accurate information on remarking fees. They will be able to provide you with up-to-date details on the costs involved in requesting a remark for your A-level papers.
The final point I want to share is that your A Levels are not the end of your world, even if you are disappointed. Many still go to University through clearing or by waiting a year. Check UCAS for your options.
We hope this helps you decide whether a remark is a good option for you after A Level results day. In our experience, it was a positive experience for us with two grades being improved. It is frustrating that we could have been unfairly graded if I had not known how the system works as a former teacher and exam marker. I would love to hear if your remark changes the original grade.
If your next steps are University make sure you read Teenager Starting University? Everything You Don’t Want To Know Including Freshers Week!
In addition to getting an A Level remark I have also written a comprehensive guide to getting a GCSE Remarked.
