GCSE remark if teacher says no?

[Crispsandwich25]

My DD was 1 point off a higher grade in one of her GCSEs, but her teacher has said they don’t think it’s worth a review as they think the correct marks were awarded.

It’s not essential she gets a higher mark, it’s just that she had been predicted the higher grade (and hey, it’s soooo close!).

Should we bother or should we just take heed of the teacher’s advice?

I thought it had to be processed by the school, surprised they won’t if they are only one mark away.

If it doesn’t impact their next steps and DC doesn’t want to, I probably wouldn’t bother.

What subject?

If she’s only one mark off, I’d probably get it reviewed, especially if the higher grade would mean something to her. The teacher is likely basing their advice on experience, but being one mark away is close enough that I’d at least want to know the result had been checked.
The main thing I’d check first is whether the mark could go down as well as up. If there’s no real downside, I don’t see much harm in trying.

I’ve reviewed 3 sets of 3 papers (it takes ages). I recommended not to bother but suggested one paper if they really wanted to go ahead. If the parent wants to pay, I won’t stop them. Just be aware the mark can go down as well as up!

I've sent 4 scripts back since Thursday (Maths) and they're back already. 3 unchanged, one went down a mark. All grade 3 so it was definitely worth a shot but disappointing again first us and students

If you can get the script and mark scheme Chatgpt will give a fairly accurate idea of if it's worth it

Teachers will be, quite rightly, focusing on those who need the marks as its very time consuming for us to review the papers accurately

If your child's teacher has reviewed it, that's only their opinion. I was an examiner this year and have also made mistakes, I'm sure. Some of the mark schemes are a little ambiguous, even though they shouldn't be; the difference between excellent and very excellent? As an examiner we rightly have a very strict tolerance to keep within (if we're out by 2 marks on the paper we are pulled from marking until we have a tutorial) but there is only one seed (marked but blank answer paper) in a batch of 10 papers that is checked. Being close to the upper boundary by one mark; I'd go for a remark.

The centre cannot refuse to process a review if the candidate requests it.

You've asked their opinion, and they've given it - but ultimately it's up to the candidate to decide.

There is no automatic grade protection though - if the mark drops into a lower grade, that's the grade.

Usually the deal is that if school wants it remarked they pay but if you want it remarked you pay.

so depends if you are happy to pay. It can go down as well

If you can pay, do it. It's a mark off and worth a shot.

Who ever said teachers should be the final arbiter?

It absolutely can.
Obviously if it's one mark away from the one above, it's unlikely.

Depends on the subject. If it’s maths, then the teacher probably has a good idea if it has been marked fairly because it’s not subjective.

It isn't always about fair is it? Sometimes it's about error.

It’s physics. I had assumed the teacher would just say yes it’s worth doing but they said they couldn’t find any extra marks. I don’t want the grade to drop!

If they can't find any more marks - bearing in mind that a review doesn't look for any more marks - then I'd suggest there's not much point.

But it's up to the candidate to decide.

Bit rude really to ask the teacher to review the paper, then ignore their advice.
if it is physics and the teacher says unlikely then why waste your money.
It is really important to understand this is a review, not a remark and the reviewer will be looking to see if the original mark was reasonable, not whether they would have given that mark, but based on the mark scheme could it be reasonable to arrive at mark x, if so, even if they would personally have given x plus 1 then the original mark stands.

I don't think it's rude at all. Standard protocol for teachers to look over the paper and give guidance if asked to. We don't even have to know that you are having it reviewed - it goes through the school examination office. The main consideration is that this will cost money and the chances of it going up are very slim.

I would. Last year I had twins sitting GCSEs. Lots were a few marks off the next grade up. I asked for 10 to be reviewed and six went up in the end. (Initially 5, later another one increased too). Well worth it. Was Eng Lang, Eng Lit, Physics, statistics, DT, Biology.

Can you send the papers for review separately? I think sending the papers one by one is safer to ensure your grade doesn't go down

Thanks all. I’ve sent one of the Physics papers to be reviewed so will see what that says. Fingers crossed!

That’s crazy!!

Yes you can and it's advisable to do it that way, for exactly that reason.

Has anybody had reviews back yet? Waiting anxiously here.

Same waiting on two to come back. One was sent off on Friday, the other on Monday. Trying to remind myself it will take up to 20 days!

Ours were sent Friday too. I had hoped to hear by the end of this week as anecdotal evidence suggested a quicker turnaround for August requests before the influx in September 🤞🏼 for you!

And to you too! How many marks off was your dc? My dd was 2 marks off physics and 1 mark off literature. Neither will affect moving forward thankfully but it would be wonderful for them to move up!

One mark off in 3 subjects 😬 It doesn’t affect next steps but still feel important.