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AQA GCSE English reviews

312 replies

WhereAreWeNow · 23/08/2024 13:46

Quite a few of us in the big GCSE results thread are looking at getting AQA English reviewed.

Starting a new thread in case anyone wants to share updates about the review process or have a bit of a moan about AQA!

DD got 8s and 9s in mocks and all classwork. She's an avid reader and writer and she knew the texts inside out. She felt the exams went well. But she got a 6 in Lang and a 5 in Lit. School is definitely asking for Lang to be reviewed.

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MysticCatLady · 02/09/2024 11:16

MaryleboneParent · 02/09/2024 10:54

Daughter predicted a 9 and she was 4 marks off. She felt the exam went very well. Sent off to have it reviewed and it went up 11 marks. 9 in comprehension and 2 in written. CIE.

Wow congratulations! Did you send off one paper or both?

MaryleboneParent · 02/09/2024 10:54

Daughter predicted a 9 and she was 4 marks off. She felt the exam went very well. Sent off to have it reviewed and it went up 11 marks. 9 in comprehension and 2 in written. CIE.

LottieMary · 02/09/2024 05:17

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 23/08/2024 18:20

@Franticbutterfly how is the exam officer not in school for dealing with reviews etc? I’m genuinely shocked if that’s the case!

They’ll have been in over the exam week but it’s very common not to be in this week as anyone needing priority appeal for places would already have done it and the deadlines aren’t until end September

Newlittlerescue · 01/09/2024 21:50

newmum1976 · 01/09/2024 20:50

So over 22% of GCSE mark reviews result in a changed grade. That’s much better odds than I expected, as it’s frequently said on this board that grades rarely change.

Show quote history

Yes, and only 0.1% of challenged grades were changed down, which is reassuring.

(from the original source below)

www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reviews-of-marking-and-moderation-for-gcse-as-and-a-level-summer-2023-exam-series/reviews-of-marking-and-moderation-for-gcse-as-and-a-levels-summer-2023-exam-series

newmum1976 · 01/09/2024 20:50

Fraudornot · 01/09/2024 18:27

It’s worth looking at a Level 2 functional skills in English or maths for those who struggle with the GCSE. A pass with functional skills is equivalent to a 4 pass at gcse for most college courses and red brick unis. It’s much more Cavour practical competency based skills as well. Can be sat online with lots of study books available to revise.

So over 22% of GCSE mark reviews result in a changed grade. That’s much better odds than I expected, as it’s frequently said on this board that grades rarely change.

MrsHamlet · 01/09/2024 18:36

And, of course, a certain proportion of candidates have to get grades 1-3.

Fraudornot · 01/09/2024 18:29

The GCSE English language seems a particularly hard exam to get the pass mark in if you struggle with this style of exam or have any kind of additional need.

Fraudornot · 01/09/2024 18:27

It’s worth looking at a Level 2 functional skills in English or maths for those who struggle with the GCSE. A pass with functional skills is equivalent to a 4 pass at gcse for most college courses and red brick unis. It’s much more Cavour practical competency based skills as well. Can be sat online with lots of study books available to revise.

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newmum1976 · 31/08/2024 17:02

I was surprised at this chart. I thought the English grades were brought into line last year in England. But actually there is quite a big drop again this year in people getting 7+ in English language.

AQA GCSE English reviews
MrsHamlet · 31/08/2024 13:52

DramaLlamaBangBang · 31/08/2024 13:02

I agree. For the vital ones like maths and English the exams should be competency based, so if a child reaches a certain level of competency they pass. The way the system is designed with the moveable grade boundaries is that a percentage are always going to be below a 4, even if they were better than the 4's the year before. It's ridiculous, time wasting and demoralising.

Show quote history

But that's not how the government want it to work.

DramaLlamaBangBang · 31/08/2024 13:02

Minioncat15 · 31/08/2024 09:51

DS predicted 6s achieved 6s in mocks for English but came out with 3s. He is absolutely devastated as he now cannot sit his level 3 college course due to his low English grade. His teacher has recalled both papers and we're pinning everything on a remark to bring his grade up to a 4.
What is wrong with the educational system that it allows for this to happen! Absolutely disgraceful that these youngsters are put through such a poor process that has such a massive impact on their future choices in life.
Utterly ridiculous I'm so angry about it all.😡

I agree. For the vital ones like maths and English the exams should be competency based, so if a child reaches a certain level of competency they pass. The way the system is designed with the moveable grade boundaries is that a percentage are always going to be below a 4, even if they were better than the 4's the year before. It's ridiculous, time wasting and demoralising.

Channellingsophistication · 31/08/2024 11:00

My DS predicted 5/6 for English but got 3 (1 mark away from a 4) in English language and 4 (2 marks away from 5) in Literature. Having papers reviewed hope to hear back early next week.

So no school 6th form A levels which he was so looking forward to going back to school to do and not accepted on T level at college as doesn’t have the English language required so he’s doing a business course which requires no GCSE passes! We’re gutted for him but he didn’t really put the work in sadly.

Will report back on the review results.

Minioncat15 · 31/08/2024 09:51

DS predicted 6s achieved 6s in mocks for English but came out with 3s. He is absolutely devastated as he now cannot sit his level 3 college course due to his low English grade. His teacher has recalled both papers and we're pinning everything on a remark to bring his grade up to a 4.
What is wrong with the educational system that it allows for this to happen! Absolutely disgraceful that these youngsters are put through such a poor process that has such a massive impact on their future choices in life.
Utterly ridiculous I'm so angry about it all.😡

Jumpy2018 · 31/08/2024 09:21

Thank you. I think I’ve done it correctly this time 🤞🏼

MrsHamlet · 31/08/2024 09:17

@Jumpy2018 scroll to the top and click the pen icon, then you can start a new thread

Jumpy2018 · 31/08/2024 09:16

@MrsHamlet Sorry! I’m very new to this so still trying to work out how to!

MrsHamlet · 31/08/2024 09:12

@Jumpy2018 I don't think you'll get the answers you want on this thread!!

Jumpy2018 · 31/08/2024 09:10

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Jumpy2018 · 31/08/2024 09:08

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MrsHamlet · 31/08/2024 09:02

@stealthninjamum the script belongs to the candidate so the centre have to do what they have asked for.

Their part is simply to process the request: it's the exam board which does the review.

stealthninjamum · 31/08/2024 08:59

We have asked for dds English Literature papers to be remarked, and paid for it using parent pay, we haven’t yet had any confirmation from her school that they’re doing it, which I understand because I’m sure the exams office deserve a break.

We’re now thinking of leaving the school but wonder are they obliged to do the remark under all circumstances? I’m worried they might find an excuse to not do it. I don’t necessarily think the grade will go up but dd is desperate to know now even if it’s not good news.

we’re just upset that she was getting 8s and 9s for two years and yet one bad day means they won’t let her do literature a level.

Original poster
WhereAreWeNow · 30/08/2024 14:35

Thank you @MrsHamlet

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MrsHamlet · 30/08/2024 13:53

@WhereAreWeNow in the writing section, writing needs to be sustained. That's specifically mentioned in the mark scheme.

In reading, it's not impossible to get a high mark for something relatively short: it's about hitting the criteria.

Original poster
WhereAreWeNow · 30/08/2024 13:49

@MrsHamlet could I please ask you a question?
I've now got copies of DD's papers (English Lit and language). Obviously I'm not an expert and I don't know know what the examiners are looking for. What she's written is all good in my (inexpert) opinion: perfect spelling and punctuation, varied and complex vocabulary and techniques, insightful analysis of texts etc. But I've noticed that for some of the questions her answers seem fairly short compared to the number of pages available in the booklet. I suppose what I'm asking is how much quantity counts in the mark scheme. Can you get a high mark for a succinct, high quality answer or do you need to write a lot to get a higher mark?

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