GCSE Support - the results are in

I suspect it might be generic form so they don't have to chase individuals

When ds collected his results on Thursday, he was asked to sign to give school permission to request his scripts back and for them to ask for a review of any results close to the next boundary. He was one mark off a higher grade in one subject and 3 marks off in another. Neither he or we are bothered about a review as his grades were good and more than enough to get him in to sixth form. Do some schools request the reviews themselves?

I find this a bit odd, is the school private because why would a state school be wasting precious money on this? DD was one mark off a 7 in maths and 3 marks off a 9 for Eng lit but so what, she doesn't need a higher mark for what she wants to do.

@HippyChickMama they can, but not with the consent of the candidate

Ah that explains it then 👍🏻

When ds collected his results on Thursday, he was asked to sign to give school permission to request his scripts back and for them to ask for a review of any results close to the next boundary. He was one mark off a higher grade in one subject and 3 marks off in another. Neither he or we are bothered about a review as his grades were good and more than enough to get him in to sixth form. Do some schools request the reviews themselves?

@SirSidneyRuffDiamond reviews take place over the weekend like exam marking does. It's all online these days.

DS got an 8 in his mocks and was getting 9s on some practice papers. He came out with a 7 in the real thing. Lower than he'd hoped but probably not enough to think something went badly wrong. He did say at the time one of the papers he'd found unexpectedly difficult compared to the past papers he'd done.

We submitted one History paper (AQA) for review on Friday as it was 2 marks short of a 9. Both DS's History teacher and also the head of dept viewed his scripts and both agreed that one paper was harshly marked and should have gained at least 3 more marks. Both are examiners so should have a good feel for this. We heard today there is no change in his marks - no issue as his 8 is a fab mark (predicted a 6/7), but it does seem a very quick response from the board.

Did anyone else have a surprisingly low grade for AQA History? Dd has been at a secure 7 but scored a 5. She was 5 marks off a 6. Long shot but we’ve submitted 2 papers for a review.

This is concerning. I wonder if the answers have to be very precise to gain that mark, as in they have to march exactly the criteria. Sometimes an answer can be right but not whats on their marking scheme.

Weird. Hopefully someone who know s how it works can help!

The 3rd component is 40% of the total - however the marks for all 3 sections added together mean a lower score in one can be offset against higher performance in the other 2. It will probably come out that it's right but it just feels off. I'm not someone who makes a fuss usually just I can't get my head round a final result that's lower than all 3 outcomes! :)

@beansoup are the units weighted unequally?

Torres10 · Today 20:52

Not sure if it helps or hinders your decision but I requested the AQA Biology scripts as my daughter was 1 mark off the next grade.
Thought I would have a look and then pass to her teacher to assess.
Now, whilst my A levels were a number of years ago, my interpretation is that her paper is missing a lot more than 1 mark! Its actually shockingly poorly marked and whilst in the the overall scheme of things it makes no difference to my daughters overall results it does make me cross that they didn't mark her work with suitable care and attention..

Wow! Do you think her grade will go up??

It's a BTEC - three sections - 2 were moderated externally last year at Level 2 Distinction; the 3rd was examined and has come back as Level 1 Distinction, which is considerably below what was expected BUT her overall mark is a Level 1 Merit - even putting the info for the 3 components in on their website marking widget, it should be a Level 2 Pass. This would make it approx a GCSE 4 whilst it's currently approx a 2 ... and should have been about a 5/6. I have requested a review.

Has the teacher looked at the papers? It is always worth a look if something feels off.

No problem :)

@Rowgtfc72 Music was my girl's sure fire best mark too ... our Music teacher says the subject was marked harshly nationally for some reason this year. Her result doesn't make sense, though - I've read the exam board's website and marking structure. She wouldn't have the grade she should have got but should still be better than what has come through!

Thanks v much

From the board to the school who then have to pass them on.

There's no direct link between the board and the candidate. It's why everything is done via the centre.

Thanks v much. Do they go to school or direct to candidates from the board?

Scripts should come back very quickly - they're mostly just downloaded.

Thank you so much for your kind words, it’s been really tough for him. and hasn’t helped his low self esteem. It took us the whole day to finally get him a place on a level 2 course. He’s already done a level 2 in his chosen subject so we had to find a different one. We’ll see about a tutor, as being a single parent, an extra year in education will be tough financially.

How quickly did yours come through? We filled the form in on Thursday but not heard anything yet. I was assuming that given it’s the holidays and also a bank hol today it would be a while but so,e people on here seem to have them already.
slightly concerned about where they will go and whether DD really is checking the school email!

With regards to AQA Biology DS got a 7 but was predicted 8/9 but we aren't bothering for a remark as its got him into the A level course.