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Original poster

Should I ask for GCSE remarks?

19 replies

FamousNovel · 14/09/2022 22:13

Name changed as DS knows my username.

He is dyslexic and got grade 5s in music, Spanish, Maths.
But one point off grade 6 in all three of these.

He was 3 points off grade 6 in two other subjects.

He was predicted 5/6 in most things. So the grades are ok and it's not as if we are shocked.

He's not particularly disappointed but I can't help but wonder if it's worth asking for at least the 3 very near misses to be looked at again.
It would do his self confidence the world of good to have some higher grades.

I haven't said anything yet as I have no experience of this. I'm not sure if remark is the right thing to ask for? He's not at the school anymore as he's starting an apprenticeship.
It was only reading about some A level remarks that I thought about this.

I'd appreciate some thoughts and experiences please. Thanks

OP posts:

mondaytosunday · 14/09/2022 22:21

It's a review not a remark -they look to see if the criteria was applied correctly and added up properly and no questions missed etc.
The question is would it make any difference? Is it just for personal satisfaction? Even if he is no longer at the school you can ask them what they think. For one mark you may have a chance, very doubtful for three marks snd as you say the grades are in line with predictions.
You will have to pay if there is no change though.

NiceTwin · 14/09/2022 22:24

If he needs higher grades to get where he wants to, then yes, I would have them reviewed.
If 5's are sufficient for what he wants to do, I wouldn't bother, especially if it's going to cost you.

Tickledtrout · 14/09/2022 22:26

I would OP. One mark can easily have been missed

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Original poster

FamousNovel · 14/09/2022 22:27

Any idea what the cost is? I don't mind too much unless it's silly money.

I think he would like to think about Uni in the future but his self esteem is a bit low so higher grades would be a great boost.

OP posts:

TenoringBehind · 14/09/2022 22:33

Cost depends on exam board but roughly £40 per exam.

we were told only to do it with the ones that were one mark out.

Undertheoldlindentree · 14/09/2022 22:35

Cost depends on the board and how many papers are involved for each exam. DS has just had one exam remarked - like your son, he was just one mark below the next grade. The cost was almost £140 for two papers. Three additional marks were awarded on one paper and three taken away on the other. So no change. Had we only got the remark done on the first paper, his grade would have gone up and we'd have had the fee returned. It feels like a lottery!

00100001 · 14/09/2022 22:40

Just be aware, they can take marks away!

Original poster

FamousNovel · 14/09/2022 22:44

I suppose with him only being one mark out if they take marks away then he should stay the same grade as now. Unless they were way off.

OP posts:

00100001 · 14/09/2022 23:00

Depends if he minds if his marks drop...

Brigante9 · 14/09/2022 23:10

£45 per paper for AQA. I’ve gone through results again today and noticed that the breakdown for one skill has been incorrectly added up! So the row of figures is the same as on the AQA website but up to 6 points lower as a total, not a scaled mark, but a raw score. I’m amazed. Back to the exams officer tomorrow. 🤬Well worth asking teachers to check. You can recall papers for free from AQA but need to pay for reviews.

Testina · 14/09/2022 23:13

Does he know he was so close?
if so, why would it boost his s

Testina · 14/09/2022 23:14

Does he know he was so close?
if so, why would it boost his self esteem? If he’s given to negative thinking he’ll feel just he “scraped” a 6 anyway.
I think he’s old enough to decide this one for himself.

jackstini · 14/09/2022 23:24

Brigante9 · 14/09/2022 23:10

Which subject was this?
Asking as Dd was 1 mark off next grade in 2 subjects (7s to 8s)

Palmtreesandsand · 15/09/2022 06:25

I wouldn't. The main thing is he has achieved roughly what school thought he would achieve borderline 5/6s . He will know that achieving 1 mark extra is just that, it will not magically make him more academic to get a 6.

My DD is also predicted 5/6 and in a couple of cases a 4. I shall be working on her knowing that GCSE grades are not the be all end end all. They will not define you. They get you to the next level. My DD is amazing in so many ways and has so much more to offer.

I got pretty average GCSE grades myself. I later went on to retake and get a degree in the GCSE I got an E in. I am now doing well in that field.

This reminds me of the drawing of all the safari animals standing at the bottom of the tree and the test is, who can climb quickest to the top. Obviously the monkey wins, some do ok while others don't stand a chance.

Your son can be amazing in many other ways.

CrispsnDips · 15/09/2022 06:47

I asked for a review of my daughter’s Maths paper as she was one mark off an 8. The school looked at it, found the one mark, and gained the Examination Board’s confirmation. There was no charge.

Dannexe · 15/09/2022 06:50

When is the deadline?

TeenDivided · 15/09/2022 06:56

Deadline I think is 29th Sept (off the top of my head).

OP. The school could ask for a copy of his scripts, check for 'missing' marks and then advise you.
Note it is per paper not per subject so you ask for individual papers to be reviewed and the cost is per paper.
Also note your DS will have to agree to the remark, you can't do it on the quiet.

mrsjg · 15/09/2022 06:59

I would.

When DS's Eng Lit paper was reviewed he went from a 5 to a 7

Jarstastic · 15/09/2022 08:39

We asked for a review in English.
we committed to paying around £45 per paper for two papers.
Had been one mark down.
came back and went up three grades so he got it. We didn’t have to pay in the end.

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