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

[VillageFete]

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?

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?

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.

Aah I see, thank you for explaining.

I think it’s a pride thing with her.

Results vary- all of those subjects were either a 6 or 7 and very close to grade boundary.

She’s gutted about language- she worked so hard and feels she deserved a 7. It’s all she’s gone on about.

6th form more than happy with her results.

The majority of her English Lit/Lang fellow students were shocked - all gained a lower grade than in mocks. I think they were all
expecting more. Some went from 8’s to 5’s. Board is AQA.

Hi op. I'm an EO. it's not a remark, it's a review of marking, where an examiner checks to see if the mark scheme has been applied properly.

The only people who can advise are teachers.

I have all my teaching staff reviewing scripts today and they advise the candidate as to whether a review of marking is worth persisting with.

AQA is notorious for this.

Last year 10% of English grades increased after a review of marking.

Thank you.

Is it worth me contacting her English teacher for advice? I assumed she would be enjoying the last of her well earned summer break!

Aah ok. I wonder if it’s worth listening to my daughter than and giving it a go? 🤔

In 2024 my DD was 2 marks off a 9 - it got sent for priority review & it went up by 12 marks!

We could only fathom marks were added incorrectly🤷

That was for History EDEX by the way

Bloody hell! In English? How wonderful for your DD

Oh, just seen history!

We're in the same boat @VillageFete, also AQA.

Got a 6 in Lan, predicted 8 and got a 9 in Lit. She's one mark off a 7 and think we will request a review. Teachers won't ask for scripts until 9 September.

She doesn't need it for 6th form but she's disappointed as all her other grades are higher and wasn't expecting anything below a 7.

I think she is a potential Oxbridge candidate so may be worth it for that.

Its many years since i was at school but we were always warned off remarks because they can take marks off as well as put them on. You can't assume a remark will award you a better mark. For me the risk was too great, I couldn't afford to lose marks. There is an option to resit, my neighbours child resat two exams this year, one she failed last year and one she passed but wanted a better mark.

Most likely a couple of answers went up by a level as they were assessed on review as having been put in the wrong band – which can increase the marks by maybe 5 or 6 per answer.

Yes I would do that.

If its a state school you might not get a reply until term starts though.

The deadline for scripts is 3rd September and the deadline for reviews of marking is 24th Sept.

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.

It's not a remark. No one is looking for extra marks.

I requested several from students in my class. I've looked at them today, and only one stands any chance of moving at all, and it's a punt at best. I'd be splashing other people's cash if I told the parents to go ahead with the others.

@Doodledoggle are you sure the deadline for scripts is 3 September as we've been told we can't request them before 9 September?

@MrsHamlet do you know if the grade boundaries for each paper are shown anywhere? I have the total where Dd was 1 mark off a 7 but not sure which paper to send.

She may be leaving her school so not sure how helpful they'll be.

I am sure. I have been an EO for 10yrs.

Photo from Google below, using AQA for example.

@Stowickthevast all the info for AQA is here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/after-results/post-results/review-and-priority-review-of-mark

https://www.aqa.org.uk/files/QHo9jKqPL0pZ5xdB09S2Ww/a8c1634eeced8e0ef79b2d179398dfd2414ee291.pdf

They have an obligation to help!! Wow, if I declined to assist a leaving student I'd lose my job!

Although the published deadline for script return is the 3rd, I'm pretty sure it's still available after that - we were able to get downloaded scripts until mid September last year, I'm certain.

Does that mean you asked (and paid) to see every script?
Is that usual for your school?
Did you ask before you got the results?

(genuine questions, I just hadn’t heard of this before.)

@AugustDieSheMust scripts are free to obtain. Some schools charge an admin fee, my school doesn't. It takes less than 30 seconds to download a script.

How it works is:
Candidate looks at marks against grade boundary and talks to teacher.

Teacher recommends obtaining a copy of the script.

Student submits consent form for access to scripts.

I download script and email teacher and student.

Teacher reads script against markscheme and advises student on possible review.

Student submits consent form form for review, agreeing to fee.

I've done several hundred in the last week.

Why aren’t teachers asking for scripts until September 9th if the deadline is the 3rd?!