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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Worth requesting a remark?

226 replies

PushItToTheMax · 14/08/2025 12:10

DD is 3 marks from an A in her best subject, which she is gutted about as she was predicted an A star and her results look well below her normal marks. She is going on to study this subject at uni, will also need postgraduate qualifications.

She is also 1 mark from an A in her 2nd favourite subject - this one was a shock the other way as she’s achieved a lot better than we expected!

She has met her grades for her firm so doesn’t technically need higher grades, but for her best subject especially she’s absolutely gutted and can’t stop crying. I think it’s really knocked her confidence about studying it at uni.

I can just about afford the remark costs but it will be tight. I’m just a bit unsure what to do for the best. We didn’t get to speak to teachers at school this morning as DD was distraught, trying desperately to hold her tears in until she got to the car. I’m trying to reassure her that BBB is actually really good, that she’s in to her firm but it’s not really sinking in.

OP posts:
poetryandwine · 17/08/2025 14:10

MrsHamlet · 17/08/2025 13:46

Examiners have absolutely no idea where the grade boundaries fall. They don't even exist when most of the marking is done.

And my comment about grade boundaries is actually about reviews - small mark changes are not permitted except in certain circumstances. So the days of routinely putting in scripts close to the boundary for review in the hope of an extra mark or two are long gone. As are the days of grade protection.

It bothers me that some schools are still advising this to parents without actually looking at papers first. It's a lot of money to ask people to spend when the vast majority don't change.

Of course there are errors, and that what reviewing is for. I don't claim otherwise.

I'm not sure what you mean about the sampling rate, I'm afraid.

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Sorry, I found sampling data elsewhere. Apparently it is around 5%. That seems low to me.

truzty · 17/08/2025 14:11

@MrsHamlet
Reviewers will not re-judge every borderline decision—if the original mark was a reasonable application of the scheme, it stands - but they will correct clear marking errors. As shown in the stats I posted above, there are clearly many thousands of those.

@PushItToTheMax was your daughter's subject essay-based or short questions / quantitative?

Original poster
PushItToTheMax · 17/08/2025 14:13

@truzty essay based

OP posts:
curliegirlie · 17/08/2025 14:55

jessiejojo · 17/08/2025 14:03

OP- please ignore those telling your daughter to 'move on', based on their own personalities and life perspectives. I hope you have put the remark in. She does not need to put her 'trust' in examiners. They are busy, fallible people who can get things wrong. A friend's daughter has just had this year's Economics A level paper back as a priority remark and she went up 5 marks. People are talking about 'resilience' but other key life skills are being assertive (especially as a young woman), knowing when to challenge- and knowing yourself, i.e. what you personally need to move on. Best of luck.

But why does it matter? She got into the university she wants, despite things maybe not having gone as well as she wanted on the day of the exam. That’s the key thing. A B is a perfectly decent grade, she should be proud of her achievements and excited about starting her new course. Not getting the absolute top mark doesn’t mean she’s going to struggle with the subject at university. That’s the message OP needs to be giving her right now. Particularly if she knows she’s capable of A* level work from previous assessments. See my post on my experience studying History, below. Also similarly in my MSc in Public Policy I got 55% in public policy formulation or research methods (can’t remember which) but am now a Senior Research Officer in the Civil Service. I wish her loads of luck.

jessiejojo · 17/08/2025 15:09

Hi there- I think that if it matters to HER, it matters. To some people, it wouldn't (subjectively) matter, to some (including me!) it would. Some people might want a remark for their own peace of mind- and if she is one of these, just remark it. It may change, it may not. At least she will have closure, if that's what she needs for closure. I have read some other posters saying that they still regret not getting a remark many years later- and I relate to that as had I been in that position, I would have felt the same. I agree that it is still a good mark and also agree it will not affect how well she does in this subject at uni. She may be ruminating on it now but once she gets stuck into her course, life will be too busy. The OP can give all the positive messages as you suggest (you did brilliantly, let's start packing for uni and thinking of all the fun you will have!) whilst still getting a remark.

curliegirlie · 17/08/2025 15:21

And what if the remark confirms the original mark? It will just send her spiralling again won’t it?

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 18:12

1diamondearing · 17/08/2025 08:46

You seem to be very blithe about this. When are the teachers doing this work? Are they missing out on family time? Are they paying to put their children into child care for £100 per day per child, as a previous poster is? Are they working through the night, as I did? Are they postponing planning and preparation for the year ahead, so that they and all of September's pupils are starting on the back foot? Or is this exclusively the expectation on the single, childless, parentless, teachers who happen to hate travel and holidays, and do you think it is fair to land all of this onto this particular demographic?

How do you think this is happening?

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Excellent questions, which need to be asked in every school with short-sighted SLT. Thankfully my SLT are very sensible and would prefer staff not to spent hours doing this.

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 18:15

ParmaVioletTea · 17/08/2025 05:43

The irony in this post is off the scale.

Who cares about the mental or physical health of teachers? No wonder the profession is haemorrhaging good and experienced teachers.

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Haha yes I thought the exact same thing! So superbly ironic! 🙈

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 18:16

TheLivelyViper · 17/08/2025 06:12

Well that would be exploitative on families where a review of marking is indicated as needed and they can't afford to pay a teacher. Perhaps we should move dates around for exam results but right now families shouldn't be facing the brunt of teachers saying they aren't paid so won't review scripts, especially where they can have an impact on further study places but even just the fact that these grades can be significant in the future. What happened in that case seems slightly weird, as he wouldn't have submitted his new marks but regardless change systems if it bothers you so much.

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... but you're therefore saying that teachers should bear the brunt of it... and work for free?? 🤯

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 18:17

truzty · 17/08/2025 08:53

And you understandably seem very bitter about it. We can all agree that teachers are overworked and underpaid - Government funding needs to increase.

However, many teachers see reviewing scripts as a natural part of their role. In many cases they will be using this year's papers and marking schemes for next year's mock, so question-level analysis is time well spent. Where they see patterns in their students' loss of marks they can sometimes focus their teaching for next year's cohort.

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You are so wrong about this 🤦🏼‍♀️

truzty · 17/08/2025 18:24

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 18:16

... but you're therefore saying that teachers should bear the brunt of it... and work for free?? 🤯

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They don't do it "for free", they do it as part of their undirected time, just like marking and lesson planning.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 18:40

However, many teachers see reviewing scripts as a natural part of their role. In many cases they will be using this year's papers and marking schemes for next year's mock, so question-level analysis is time well spent. Where they see patterns in their students' loss of marks they can sometimes focus their teaching for next year's cohort.

Yes my DD's Spanish teacher was absolutely open about doing this. During their final lesson he got all the students to give their consent so that he could get them for his own benefit and to improve his teaching. I'm assuming the college won't make him pay £10 for each individual paper per student though.....

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 19:01

truzty · 17/08/2025 18:24

They don't do it "for free", they do it as part of their undirected time, just like marking and lesson planning.

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You have to be kidding 😅

A) many teachers end up having to a lot of this in school holidays if they do it at all, as there is NOT enough time when term starts. This is unpaid time.
B) The few measly hours a week of 'undetected time' is not enough to cover regular planning and marking as it is - nowhere near. Yet you seem to think it is enough to cover reading through piles of exams as well? This is one of the most laughable things I've ever read on MN... and that is saying something 🙈

I repeat - it is work done for 'free'. Anyone who things otherwise is naive and foolish.

Thankfully my own school (excellent prestigious HMC independent school) recognises and acknowledges this.

DipsyDee · 17/08/2025 19:05

curliegirlie · 17/08/2025 15:21

And what if the remark confirms the original mark? It will just send her spiralling again won’t it?

This!

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 19:11

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 18:40

However, many teachers see reviewing scripts as a natural part of their role. In many cases they will be using this year's papers and marking schemes for next year's mock, so question-level analysis is time well spent. Where they see patterns in their students' loss of marks they can sometimes focus their teaching for next year's cohort.

Yes my DD's Spanish teacher was absolutely open about doing this. During their final lesson he got all the students to give their consent so that he could get them for his own benefit and to improve his teaching. I'm assuming the college won't make him pay £10 for each individual paper per student though.....

Well then he's broken some very strict rules... because according to JCQ, they're not actually allowed to get the consent forms signed by pupils until the exam grades are published 😅

We recall papers to use for T&L purposes and CPD as well but, as we are well aware of the rules, we get the candidate consent forms signed on results day (or after). We wouldn't dream of committing malpractice.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 19:19

That's up to him really. But since the students aren't allowed to collect their results in person, my DD was unlikely to ever see him again so not sure when else he could have asked.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 19:21

Out of interest why aren't they allowed to ask beforehand?

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 19:25

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 19:21

Out of interest why aren't they allowed to ask beforehand?

Because JCQ rules prohibit it. I don't work for JCQ so am not party to their decision-making process on this.

MrsHamlet · 17/08/2025 19:27

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 19:19

That's up to him really. But since the students aren't allowed to collect their results in person, my DD was unlikely to ever see him again so not sure when else he could have asked.

It'll be also up to him if the centre gets accused of malpractice. Foolish man.

metellaestinatrio · 17/08/2025 19:28

1diamondearing · 17/08/2025 10:58

Be careful what you wish for! (a lot are moving- because of exactly this attitude, I am paying for this service, therefore you must serve me....)

There is always movement between the two sectors, many teachers spend time in both during their career, but currently much of the movement is one way, and reasons vary, of course, but this attitude is one of them. Pensions are another

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I don’t need to be careful as I have no skin in this game - I took my A Levels 20 years ago and my kids are at a state primary and almost certain to move to a state secondary. I am just saying that I don’t think it’s unreasonable for parents to expect some kind of after care and support after spending all that money on school fees. How the school achieves that, and in a way that does not lead good teachers to hand in their notice, is a matter for the school.

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 19:29

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 19:19

That's up to him really. But since the students aren't allowed to collect their results in person, my DD was unlikely to ever see him again so not sure when else he could have asked.

No, its really not upto him. It's up to JCQ. And it would be pretty serious for him if he was reported.

It is stated under the JCQ Post-Results Service document, under 'Conditions of Access to Scripts' 6.2.1 which states: "This permission must only be sought after the candidates have received their results for the respective examination series." According to you, this teacher has broken this condition 🤦🏼‍♀️

Cannotmakeadecision · 17/08/2025 19:29

She got into her first choice; what is the point? She needs to cry it out and move on; she won’t be thinking of her A levels once she starts university; there will be other challenges and this is an opportunity to get stronger.

DD was 3 mark downs on her favourite subject too; she thought she will get an Astar but got an A. But she got the results she needed for university and is pleased with it. In particular the Astar in maths,

Worriedmotheroftwo · 17/08/2025 19:30

MrsHamlet · 17/08/2025 19:27

It'll be also up to him if the centre gets accused of malpractice. Foolish man.

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Yep. Very very foolish - malpractice is no joke.

Notagain75 · 17/08/2025 19:36

If she got into the University she wants to do the course she wants surely the grade doesn't matter. In a few years time the grades she got for her A levels won't matter at all.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 17/08/2025 19:44

According to you, this teacher has broken this condition 🤦🏼‍♀️

I'm not sure he has actually. They didn't individually sign consent forms. He passed a piece of paper round asking if they would be willing to give consent after results day for him to access their papers. To actually access the scripts presumably the college exam officer would have to send out the form (actually it's all done online). I was just responding to the post saying that some teachers actually want to see student scripts rather than see it as some unwelcome burden.