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Original poster

Question about grade boundaries for various subjects, and whether it’s worth a re-mark

52 replies

VillageFete · 21/08/2026 11:17

English Lang, Sociology, Drama and History…

AQA for all bar History, History is Edexel

3 marks off next grade boundary in Eng lang, History and Sociology

4 off in Drama.

Those with more knowledge- is it worth submitting for a re-mark?

My child is studying Lang and Sociology at A level so keen for a re-mark, even though she got very decent results.

She’s adamant she wants the papers looking at.

I’m thinking “3,4 marks - definitely easy to achieve” But I know nothing, zero experience or any of this and I imagine it’s not as easy as it sounds on paper.

I imagine she won’t drop enough marks to be given a lower grade as she’s sitting within very comfortable limits, the higher end.

Out of those 4 subjects/exam boards, is it worth pursuing?

OP posts:
clary · 21/08/2026 11:28

Yeh it's not a remark and no one is "looking" for extra marks to award. That's not what this is about (as that would be unfair).

The review of marking will look as Teen says at whether the MS has been applied correctly.

Yes were the grades a lot lower than expected? That would be the trigger for me. What did school say? What grades did she get? Will a grade up make a difference – as in, 3 to a 4, or even 4/5 to a 6 (some unis want a 6 in maths and English GCSE for some subjects).

If we are talking about history going from a 7 to an 8 and she is not taking history further, nor is she applying for Oxford (which looks at GCSE grades) nor medicine (for which some unis look at the grade average) then is it worth doing? What would you gain? Remember it costs about £40+ per paper (not per subject) and you only get the ££ back if the grade goes up. Also has she got in to sixth form for Eng lang and sociology? If so they are happy with her current grade – and the grade going up from (say) a 7 to an 8 won;t make her better at the subject, will it?

I agree - ask the teachers at school to look at the papers and see if they think the MS has been used correctly.

TeenToTwenties · 21/08/2026 11:22

They don't go looking for more marks.

They look to see if the mark scheme has been correctly applied.
It will cost you money per paper reviewed, you only get money back if grade changes.
Usually you get papers reviewed individually otherwise what you gain with paper 1 you might lose with paper 2.
Your school may be willing to look over papers to identify if they think it is worth it, but they don't have to.

Did she get expected grades, or below? Were the grades a surprise?