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Original poster

Can we discuss re-marking of GCSEs - ie appeals? Yes/no/don't bother? Any experience of success?

54 replies

lemoncurdyeomans · 25/08/2010 11:15

At ds' school a number of good, top set students got A for English Language GCSE when they were expecting A - one of them even wants to be a journalist! I know it seems a bit much to faff about an A rather than an A, but we are wondering whether to ask the school to send off some of the papers for re-marking.

Or whether students can or should do it individually?

I know there are a few exam markers on here - any advice please?

OP posts:
SleepingLion · 25/08/2010 16:29

At the school I teach at, students have to request a re-mark themselves - teachers or parents are not allowed to do it unless the child is under 16. Students are advised to consult the HoD of the subject in question to see whether s/he thinks a re-mark is likely to be successful. If there is a discrepancy as you describe (ie, lots of students failing to achieve predicted grades) then I imagine the HoD is already looking at the numbers very carefully to assess whether a request for re-marking is feasible. You need to find out your child's numerical score for the individual papers (not the grades) and see how close it is to the A/A* grade boundary to help you judge whether a re-mark is worthwhile.

It might be worth knowing what it costs depending on the board:

Re-mark per individual paper (first price)
Copy of the paper for you to have a look at (second price)

AQA
£32.35
£11.50

Edexcel
£23.20
£10.30

OCR
£34.10
£8.80

Note also that re-marks tend to be unsuccessful in the majority of cases, unless it becomes clear that there has been an error in arithmetic or the board believes the original examiner was significantly out of line with the rest of his/her colleagues. Moderation during the marking process usually highlights this earlier, however. (I am also an examiner). English (my subject) can be a particularly unpredictable one as well where the top grades are concerned: students are usually appalled to learn that typically, you need 90% to get an A* (they tell me this is lower in other subjects, although I don't know if that is the case).

Sorry to go on for so long - hope it's helpful!

PixieOnaLeaf · 25/08/2010 16:15

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
lemoncurdyeomans · 25/08/2010 11:30

Thanks, Bridge. Am I right in thinking that if the mark is closer to an A* than a B, then it's unlikely to go down? That is, if it's in the half of the band nearer the top than the bottom?

I know it sounds like rather a minor problem, but some of these students are really very good at English.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 25/08/2010 11:25

Requests for re-marking have to come from the school. Students cannot appeal individually. You may have to pay for the re-mark.

Be aware that marks can go down as well as up. If that happens you are stuck with the lower grade - you can't refuse to accept the re-mark and stick with the original grade.

If the marks are close to the A/A* boundary it may be worth requesting a re-mark. However, if they are a long way short it probably isn't worth it. Remember that most re-marks do not result in a change of grade.