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Original poster

GCSE English Lit and Language review of marking

842 replies

SomersetBrie · 26/08/2025 16:11

There is lots of chat about review of marking on the GCSEs threads but I am interested specifically in anyone who is reviewing English (Lang or Lit) and whether the review provides an increase in grade.
DS, predicted a 7, got a 6 in both. He is not very close to the grade boundary (4 marks away) but the difference in marks between Paper 1 and Paper 2 have encouraged me to request access to the papers and see if it's worth a review.

Is anyone else asking for a review? I am curious to know how many marks people go up/down and if it results in a change of grade for many people.
(DS does not need a 7 but he was expecting a 7 out of 1 or other at least.)
This is AQA.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Bufftailed · 11/09/2025 17:15

I’m surprised all these schools are making parents pay. DC’s comp is covering costs even though I offered the money. What if parents can’t pay!!!

Feel like waiting forever for outcome even though only been sent off a week ago. Maybe they wait for all four to be returned before telling us. I think DC has forgotten all about it, thankfully, just me feeling a bit preoccupied and wanting to put it to bed.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 11/09/2025 18:46

Bufftailed · 11/09/2025 17:15

I’m surprised all these schools are making parents pay. DC’s comp is covering costs even though I offered the money. What if parents can’t pay!!!

Feel like waiting forever for outcome even though only been sent off a week ago. Maybe they wait for all four to be returned before telling us. I think DC has forgotten all about it, thankfully, just me feeling a bit preoccupied and wanting to put it to bed.

I've not been asked for payment either - and have offered and ticked the box to say I am happy to pay. Whether the bill comes later I don't know!

Also sitting here stressing. DD submitted 2 for Lit on the 21st and the other on the 26th once we had the mark breakdowns by paper.

Will be very glad when I have the answers and can move on.

Bufftailed · 11/09/2025 20:40

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 11/09/2025 18:46

I've not been asked for payment either - and have offered and ticked the box to say I am happy to pay. Whether the bill comes later I don't know!

Also sitting here stressing. DD submitted 2 for Lit on the 21st and the other on the 26th once we had the mark breakdowns by paper.

Will be very glad when I have the answers and can move on.

Show quote history

Oh wow so you have been waiting 3 weeks?? I felt from this thread that they were coming back quickly. Better brace for a few weeks

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 11/09/2025 21:04

Well waiting from when we sent the forms into school... radio silence from the EO so no clue when they were sent off to the exam board

Bufftailed · 11/09/2025 21:24

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 11/09/2025 21:04

Well waiting from when we sent the forms into school... radio silence from the EO so no clue when they were sent off to the exam board

Got you. Head said were going in within a week of results day. I followed up a week later to check their decision, and they said going in by last Thursday. So if that was stuck to that is a week. 3 exam boards… if I hear nothing within two weeks will ask again…

Englishreview · 12/09/2025 08:11

I’d be interested to hear from the experienced posters on here about under what circumstances they think appeals are worth it for AQA English Language? DC is one mark off a 9. I know an 8 is a great result and there has to be a cut off somewhere. The school felt one paper was a bit harshly marked so advised we submit for review, but the mark remained the same (for all the reasons I have read on here I assume!) DC did better on the other paper which we are now submitting for review as well.
We are fortunate enough to be able to afford an appeal. Is it a difficult process, and does it need input from the teacher to argue the case of where the errors have been made? I suspect the school may be reticent to do that with the extra work involved so it may be a non starter…

celticprincess · 12/09/2025 08:17

Well we got the second paper back from review and no change again. So 2 papers and £86 later we are still one mark off a level 4 in lit. WJEC. Such a shame but DD won’t resit and will just be stuck with that grade. It’s not needed for their college course. They got moved down a college course level anyway despite teaching grades and despite an audition and an offer back in January. Performance based course and I suspect was oversubscribed so they’ve harshly pulled out a few last week to be moved based on fitness levels I suspect.

Bufftailed · 12/09/2025 09:10

celticprincess · 12/09/2025 08:17

Well we got the second paper back from review and no change again. So 2 papers and £86 later we are still one mark off a level 4 in lit. WJEC. Such a shame but DD won’t resit and will just be stuck with that grade. It’s not needed for their college course. They got moved down a college course level anyway despite teaching grades and despite an audition and an offer back in January. Performance based course and I suspect was oversubscribed so they’ve harshly pulled out a few last week to be moved based on fitness levels I suspect.

Sorry to hear. But glad not affecting college course.

ThatsCute · 12/09/2025 09:21

Englishreview · 12/09/2025 08:11

I’d be interested to hear from the experienced posters on here about under what circumstances they think appeals are worth it for AQA English Language? DC is one mark off a 9. I know an 8 is a great result and there has to be a cut off somewhere. The school felt one paper was a bit harshly marked so advised we submit for review, but the mark remained the same (for all the reasons I have read on here I assume!) DC did better on the other paper which we are now submitting for review as well.
We are fortunate enough to be able to afford an appeal. Is it a difficult process, and does it need input from the teacher to argue the case of where the errors have been made? I suspect the school may be reticent to do that with the extra work involved so it may be a non starter…

As far as I’m aware, the teachers aren’t allowed to make a case for where they think it was too harshly marked. I believe it’s just a matter of submitting the paper, although someone may come along to correct me.

Examinetheexams · 12/09/2025 11:43

Englishreview · 12/09/2025 08:11

I’d be interested to hear from the experienced posters on here about under what circumstances they think appeals are worth it for AQA English Language? DC is one mark off a 9. I know an 8 is a great result and there has to be a cut off somewhere. The school felt one paper was a bit harshly marked so advised we submit for review, but the mark remained the same (for all the reasons I have read on here I assume!) DC did better on the other paper which we are now submitting for review as well.
We are fortunate enough to be able to afford an appeal. Is it a difficult process, and does it need input from the teacher to argue the case of where the errors have been made? I suspect the school may be reticent to do that with the extra work involved so it may be a non starter…

I know I may sound a bit crabby here but they honestly have not been subject to ‘harsh’ marking if they got an 8 nearly a 9.

If after reviewing both papers they have stayed the same then you have your answer. Two sets of examiners will have looked at it. On what grounds would you appeal anyway?!

Examinetheexams · 12/09/2025 11:45

celticprincess · 12/09/2025 08:17

Well we got the second paper back from review and no change again. So 2 papers and £86 later we are still one mark off a level 4 in lit. WJEC. Such a shame but DD won’t resit and will just be stuck with that grade. It’s not needed for their college course. They got moved down a college course level anyway despite teaching grades and despite an audition and an offer back in January. Performance based course and I suspect was oversubscribed so they’ve harshly pulled out a few last week to be moved based on fitness levels I suspect.

Oh that’s galling! Glad your DC is enjoying their next steps though

Eccle80 · 12/09/2025 12:00

I wouldn’t have thought an appeal would be likely to be worth it - a teacher thinking it is a “bit harsh” is very different to thinking it is completely unreasonable which would justify an appeal. As said above, a senior marker has looked at the original marking and agreed it is reasonable.

Trampoline · 12/09/2025 12:22

Englishreview · 12/09/2025 08:11

I’d be interested to hear from the experienced posters on here about under what circumstances they think appeals are worth it for AQA English Language? DC is one mark off a 9. I know an 8 is a great result and there has to be a cut off somewhere. The school felt one paper was a bit harshly marked so advised we submit for review, but the mark remained the same (for all the reasons I have read on here I assume!) DC did better on the other paper which we are now submitting for review as well.
We are fortunate enough to be able to afford an appeal. Is it a difficult process, and does it need input from the teacher to argue the case of where the errors have been made? I suspect the school may be reticent to do that with the extra work involved so it may be a non starter…

If you scroll up further back you'll see some very helpful explanations as to how the review of marking works - it's not about trying to look for marks, it's about reviewing the levels assigned during marking and checking if they are appropriate. The reviewer does not look to give marks, they can reassign levels if they disagree with what was given (which therefore assigns more or less marks) - but if the level given looks to be correct they must leave it - even if they may have awarded slightly more or less marks which could have impacted the final grade. Therefore, in your case, the papers have been deemed to be within the levels which equate to a grade 8. The final mark being just off a boundary is therefore not relevant. That is my understanding anyway, perhaps not very well put!

ForSharpViewer · 12/09/2025 12:43

Anyone any experience with CRN OCR in IT. Teacher just called to say son was one mark off next grade. They have reviewed and think they have missed 2 marks.

anotherbeebeingbusy · 12/09/2025 12:48

ForSharpViewer · 12/09/2025 12:43

Anyone any experience with CRN OCR in IT. Teacher just called to say son was one mark off next grade. They have reviewed and think they have missed 2 marks.

We had OCR for English and Econ.

English Language went up by two marks to the next grade boundary.

Economics went up also to the next grade boundary. Needed 1 and got 3

Bufftailed · 12/09/2025 14:30

What’s the reason @celticprincess ? I thought an appeal was if you felt exam board done something wrong.

TheyNotLikeUs · 12/09/2025 15:10

What are timelines for appeals? If marking schemes become available next summer, is it then too late to query why marks weren't allocated?

Such a big decision for a 16-year old to risk their grade going down if they consent to review.

ThatsCute · 12/09/2025 15:22

TheyNotLikeUs · 12/09/2025 15:10

What are timelines for appeals? If marking schemes become available next summer, is it then too late to query why marks weren't allocated?

Such a big decision for a 16-year old to risk their grade going down if they consent to review.

I believe the re-mark deadline is 24 Sept.

DC’s re-mark result came with these details re: appeals. Looks like you have to do it within 30 days after the re-mark. https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/after-results/post-results/appeals

Bufftailed · 12/09/2025 16:00

Finally. One back. Spanish AQA moved from 6-7. He was one mark off. Absolutely delighted as he was on an 8 in mocks and is doing A level. So happy!!

MrsHamlet · 12/09/2025 16:59

Englishreview · 12/09/2025 08:11

I’d be interested to hear from the experienced posters on here about under what circumstances they think appeals are worth it for AQA English Language? DC is one mark off a 9. I know an 8 is a great result and there has to be a cut off somewhere. The school felt one paper was a bit harshly marked so advised we submit for review, but the mark remained the same (for all the reasons I have read on here I assume!) DC did better on the other paper which we are now submitting for review as well.
We are fortunate enough to be able to afford an appeal. Is it a difficult process, and does it need input from the teacher to argue the case of where the errors have been made? I suspect the school may be reticent to do that with the extra work involved so it may be a non starter…

You need clear grounds to appeal which need to be related to the process not having been followed correctly.

A teacher thinking it's been a bit harshly marked is unlikely to meet the threshold.

MrsHamlet · 12/09/2025 17:02

TheyNotLikeUs · 12/09/2025 15:10

What are timelines for appeals? If marking schemes become available next summer, is it then too late to query why marks weren't allocated?

Such a big decision for a 16-year old to risk their grade going down if they consent to review.

Yes - the deadlines for all post results services are on the relevant exam board website. Next summer will be far too late.

Trampoline · 12/09/2025 17:22

MrsHamlet · 12/09/2025 17:02

Yes - the deadlines for all post results services are on the relevant exam board website. Next summer will be far too late.

Show quote history

Thanks for your helpful input throughout this thread @MrsHamlet
We've been waiting for teacher input before we decide on a marking review -however, I've just been onto the AQA site to look at their deadlines and I'm concerned to see it states that marked scripts needed to be requested by schools by 4th Sept. My DC was only asked to give permission to access their scripts this week - does that mean we've missed the boat...?

MrsHamlet · 12/09/2025 17:29

Trampoline · 12/09/2025 17:22

Thanks for your helpful input throughout this thread @MrsHamlet
We've been waiting for teacher input before we decide on a marking review -however, I've just been onto the AQA site to look at their deadlines and I'm concerned to see it states that marked scripts needed to be requested by schools by 4th Sept. My DC was only asked to give permission to access their scripts this week - does that mean we've missed the boat...?

Show quote history

I sat with a student at 10am today whilst he requested his and they were in my inbox within half an hour.

The centre can get them very quickly even now. The deadline for review requests is tge 25th sept

Englishreview · 12/09/2025 17:30

MrsHamlet · 12/09/2025 16:59

You need clear grounds to appeal which need to be related to the process not having been followed correctly.

A teacher thinking it's been a bit harshly marked is unlikely to meet the threshold.

Show quote history

Thank you.

agoodfriendofthethree · 13/09/2025 14:18

Some of you may remember that I posted a week or two ago about one of my son's English Lit papers (paper 1) having been scanned in in reverse order (he uses a laptop), and I (and his school) felt this had put him at a significant disadvantage in a subject where cohesive answers are hugely important. He was originally one mark off a 7 (all other grades were 8s and 9s so this 6 really stood out).

I just wanted to update as we have now had the review back. His mark on that paper increased by 8 marks (a 21% increase!) and he is now a very comfortable grade 7. We are absolutely delighted!

This whole experience has left me with so little faith in the marking system in English exams and I have to say that I am very relieved that he's doing STEM subjects at A Level!