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Original poster

Any aqa gcse English language examiner that can answer a query

120 replies

Naddd · 20/08/2026 15:31

I've just got the script back for my sons English language paper and it seems on one multiple choice paper he hasn't filled out a box but has put an x on the other side.
It looks like no marks have been awarded for this.
Would he get the marks if we put in for a re-mark?

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Original poster
Naddd · 22/08/2026 15:22

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2026 13:29

Examiners are not allowed to advertise themselves so it's not that easy to find a reliable one.

Can you hang on for the language teacher to have a look?

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Yes, we will be doing that as aqa re-look cut off is not till 24 September.
So yes will definitely wait for that feedback

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makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 15:21

I have a query about English literature if any examiners here? Aqa. 1 mark off a 9 😔

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2026 15:21

Naddd · 22/08/2026 15:18

It's actually seven if we go by the scripts but his teacher thinks it has been harshly marked and could go up y at least 7 if not more

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Is that 7 on one question?

Original poster
Naddd · 22/08/2026 15:18

DooDallyHallie · 22/08/2026 15:02

5 marks would be a lot to go up!

It's actually seven if we go by the scripts but his teacher thinks it has been harshly marked and could go up y at least 7 if not more

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DooDallyHallie · 22/08/2026 15:02

5 marks would be a lot to go up!

AGlessandahalf · 22/08/2026 14:52

Naddd · 22/08/2026 12:41

I'm not sure but I don't think so. The school certainly haven't mentioned it. We did actually ask his teacher and he couldn't explain it.
Can I ask also if I wanted an examiner to look at the papers before submitting for a re-mark where would I find one?
I think I mentioned I'm on a fb group where someone offered but was offering on lots of posts so I'm not sure how legitimate they were

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the school will be able to check - it won’t be on his results slip but will be on the school breakdown.
you won’t find out how much has been applied by the board, just if they accepted it.

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2026 14:04

LottieMary · 22/08/2026 13:45

Also just read an examiner has offered to read it for money!!! I’m pretty sure that’d be a breach of the exam boards contract and they’d take it quite seriously.

It absolutely is. I've seen one person claim to be an examiner and reviewer for multiple boards too, which I find hard to believe.

LottieMary · 22/08/2026 13:45

Also just read an examiner has offered to read it for money!!! I’m pretty sure that’d be a breach of the exam boards contract and they’d take it quite seriously.

LottieMary · 22/08/2026 13:43

Naddd · 21/08/2026 11:29

Hi just to ask are you an examiner? Either way advise is appreciated
I have a bit of a conundrum, we asked the teachers to have a look at the English papers. And we have had feedback for the literature and have been advised that they feel it has been marked harshly, easily another 7 marks. We don't know whether to have this re-marked as it was 5 off the next grade and I believe the advice is to only go for a re-mark if it was 1 or 2 points off. It wasn't even one we were considering.
Any advice is appreciated

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I’ve taught English a long time / you’ll get different opinions unfortunately. I may have commented on your thread elsewhere.

The advice of a couple of marks in MY opinion doesn’t apply to English because in a review of marking you’re not checking that it’s all been added up right or a yes/no. - YOU want them to see ‘error in academic judgement’ that means it was awarded band 4 (16-20 marks in lit) rather than band 5 (21-25). If that happens it’s quite likely you’ll get more than just a mark because it’ll have to move band. Very different to maths or science for example.

I’ve had papers come back three grades higher. I know lots of colleagues who have. It’s not every paper but it’s enough for me to be deeply u confident in the marking of English. Research backs me on that too.

i can only give my opinion to students and have to warn them it can go up and down and might not change. But senior examiners review papers at this point I believe.

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2026 13:29

Naddd · 22/08/2026 12:41

I'm not sure but I don't think so. The school certainly haven't mentioned it. We did actually ask his teacher and he couldn't explain it.
Can I ask also if I wanted an examiner to look at the papers before submitting for a re-mark where would I find one?
I think I mentioned I'm on a fb group where someone offered but was offering on lots of posts so I'm not sure how legitimate they were

Show quote history

Examiners are not allowed to advertise themselves so it's not that easy to find a reliable one.

Can you hang on for the language teacher to have a look?

Original poster
Naddd · 22/08/2026 12:41

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2026 12:33

Something that @AGlessandahalf just wrote set off an alarm in my brain - are you sure they didn't apply for special consideration? That would explain a possible mark anomaly.

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I'm not sure but I don't think so. The school certainly haven't mentioned it. We did actually ask his teacher and he couldn't explain it.
Can I ask also if I wanted an examiner to look at the papers before submitting for a re-mark where would I find one?
I think I mentioned I'm on a fb group where someone offered but was offering on lots of posts so I'm not sure how legitimate they were

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MrsHamlet · 22/08/2026 12:33

Naddd · 22/08/2026 12:19

No definitely not the end of the world. A b in English language and b/c in literature are good grades. I can't get my head around the numbers I think I'm showing my age! Lol!
His other grades are brilliant so that may be why the difference seems to be so stark if that makes sense.
He was ill during the English exams cold/illness so I do think that will have had an effect on his performance. I actually emailed the school at the time but was told the evidence threshold was high and wouldn't increase marks by much.

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Something that @AGlessandahalf just wrote set off an alarm in my brain - are you sure they didn't apply for special consideration? That would explain a possible mark anomaly.

AGlessandahalf · 22/08/2026 12:27

Just a quick point about school making an error with the results slip.
Results are imported directly from the exam boards, so the numbers they have are those that the board has given them. That is why you can also request a clerical recheck to make sure the boards added them up correctly, which it appears they haven’t done here.

Original poster
Naddd · 22/08/2026 12:19

MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 20:24

So not the end of the world as they stand.

You don't need to rush, incidentally. Reviews run right through to the end of September.

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No definitely not the end of the world. A b in English language and b/c in literature are good grades. I can't get my head around the numbers I think I'm showing my age! Lol!
His other grades are brilliant so that may be why the difference seems to be so stark if that makes sense.
He was ill during the English exams cold/illness so I do think that will have had an effect on his performance. I actually emailed the school at the time but was told the evidence threshold was high and wouldn't increase marks by much.

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Original poster
Naddd · 21/08/2026 20:38

No definitely not the end of the world. A b in English language and b/c in literature are good grades. I can't get my head around the numbers I think I'm showing my age! Lol!
His other grades are brilliant so that may be why the difference seems to be so stark if that makes sense.
He was ill during the English exams cold/illness so I do think that will have had an effect on his performance. I actually emailed the school at the time but was told the evidence threshold was high and wouldn't increase marks by much.

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MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 20:24

Naddd · 21/08/2026 20:22

Engineering, computing that sort of area

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So not the end of the world as they stand.

You don't need to rush, incidentally. Reviews run right through to the end of September.

Original poster
Naddd · 21/08/2026 20:22

MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 20:02

Literature doesn't "count" in the same way lang does. That said, I've asked for some my surprising lit scripts just to check that they're right. I'm not expecting them not to be, but I'd like to be sure.

What does he want to do as his next steps?

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Engineering, computing that sort of area

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MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 20:02

Naddd · 21/08/2026 19:54

Current grade is a 6 in language and 5 in literature.
Yes from what I've seen literature doesn't seem to be seen as that important.
We were shocked as expected 7's. But equally we don't want the 6 in language lowered to 5 and 5 in literature lowered to 5.
The literature teacher doesn't seem to think it will be lowered. But I do think will he really get 7 or more on one section? He'd have to lose 9 marks to go to a grade 4 from the 5.

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Literature doesn't "count" in the same way lang does. That said, I've asked for some my surprising lit scripts just to check that they're right. I'm not expecting them not to be, but I'd like to be sure.

What does he want to do as his next steps?

Original poster
Naddd · 21/08/2026 19:54

MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 19:47

A few years ago, I'd have said that if the school were so sure, they could put their money where their mouth is. But the state of school budgets...

If we were talking about the difference between a 3 and a 4 in lang, I think that's worth the money. Literature is arguably less "important" (my A level class would be shocked to hear me say that).

I'm sure they'll get back to you on the Lang.

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Current grade is a 6 in language and 5 in literature.
Yes from what I've seen literature doesn't seem to be seen as that important.
We were shocked as expected 7's. But equally we don't want the 6 in language lowered to 5 and 5 in literature lowered to 5.
The literature teacher doesn't seem to think it will be lowered. But I do think will he really get 7 or more on one section? He'd have to lose 9 marks to go to a grade 4 from the 5.

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MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 19:47

Naddd · 21/08/2026 19:42

Np worries. Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately we aren't rich but the advice was pretty much that one literature paper was marked too harshly and my son was told which section it was.
We've yet to hear back for the language papers

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A few years ago, I'd have said that if the school were so sure, they could put their money where their mouth is. But the state of school budgets...

If we were talking about the difference between a 3 and a 4 in lang, I think that's worth the money. Literature is arguably less "important" (my A level class would be shocked to hear me say that).

I'm sure they'll get back to you on the Lang.

Original poster
Naddd · 21/08/2026 19:42

MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 19:19

Can't remember if school was going to check the lang papers. It's been a long day!

If it really matters to the candidate, and if the teacher can point you to where they think the extra marks are, and if they marked this series and know the standard, and if money is no object ... then you probably have nothing to lose.

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Np worries. Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately we aren't rich but the advice was pretty much that one literature paper was marked too harshly and my son was told which section it was.
We've yet to hear back for the language papers

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MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 19:19

Naddd · 21/08/2026 19:10

Sorry Can't remember what?
They've had a look at the literature and feel its been marked harshly. The language we are still waiting to hear back.
Not sure whether to bother with the literature 7 marks seems a lot to get

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Can't remember if school was going to check the lang papers. It's been a long day!

If it really matters to the candidate, and if the teacher can point you to where they think the extra marks are, and if they marked this series and know the standard, and if money is no object ... then you probably have nothing to lose.

Original poster
Naddd · 21/08/2026 19:10

MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 19:03

I can't remember - are the school going to look at it for you?

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Sorry Can't remember what?
They've had a look at the literature and feel its been marked harshly. The language we are still waiting to hear back.
Not sure whether to bother with the literature 7 marks seems a lot to get

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MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 19:03

Naddd · 21/08/2026 18:54

Absolutely. I've had an offer from an aqa examiner offer to look at the paper for her opinion. For a charge. I'm not sure how I'd even know it was legitimate 😂.
Just want to say I do appreciate all your help.

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I can't remember - are the school going to look at it for you?

Original poster
Naddd · 21/08/2026 18:54

MrsHamlet · 21/08/2026 18:26

Rarer than staying the same or going up, but not impossible.

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Absolutely. I've had an offer from an aqa examiner offer to look at the paper for her opinion. For a charge. I'm not sure how I'd even know it was legitimate 😂.
Just want to say I do appreciate all your help.

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