Results day doesn’t always match expectations, and sometimes there’s a genuine reason to believe a grade was marked incorrectly rather than simply falling short. The appeals system exists precisely for this, but it works through your school or college rather than something you can request directly from the exam board yourself.
This guide explains how the exam appeals process actually works, the different types of review available, and how to decide whether it’s worth pursuing.
Understanding the Two Main Types of Review
| Type | What It Checks | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical re-check | Confirms all parts of the paper were marked and marks were added up correctly | Suspected administrative errors, faster and cheaper |
| Review of marking | A senior examiner checks whether the original marking followed the mark scheme correctly | Genuine belief the marking itself was wrong, not just added up incorrectly |
A review of marking looks at whether marking guidelines were properly applied. It generally won’t change a grade simply because you or a teacher disagrees with a particular judgement call an examiner made within reasonable bounds.
Who Can Request a Review?
You cannot apply for a review directly with the exam board yourself. Your school or college must submit the request on your behalf, since they hold your original exam registration details. This means your first step is always speaking to your school, not the exam board.
The Appeals Process, Step by Step
- Speak to your school or college immediately, since strict deadlines apply and schools need time to process requests before submitting them.
- Discuss your reasoning with your teacher, particularly if your result was notably different from your mock exams or classwork performance, which can support your case.
- Decide which type of review to request, a clerical re-check or a full review of marking, based on your specific concern.
- Your school submits the request to the exam board within the specified deadline window.
- Wait for the outcome, which typically takes a few weeks, though this can vary depending on the exam board and time of year.
Understanding the Risk: Grades Can Go Down
This is the single most important thing to understand before requesting a review of marking: your grade can go down as well as up, or it can stay the same. A review of marking is a genuine re-examination of your paper, not simply a one-way check in your favour, so it’s worth being confident there’s a real basis for the request rather than appealing purely in hope.
When Is It Worth Requesting a Review?
- Your result was surprisingly different from consistent mock exam and coursework performance throughout the year.
- You were very close to a grade boundary, making a small marking adjustment more likely to have a genuine impact.
- Your teacher has specific concerns about how a particular section may have been marked, based on their knowledge of your work.
- You have a specific, reasoned concern, rather than general disappointment with a result that otherwise seems broadly consistent with your performance.
What Happens If You’re Waiting on a University Place?
If a review might affect a university offer, it’s worth acting quickly and telling your school this is time-sensitive, since exam boards and UCAS have processes for handling grade changes that affect confirmed places. Contact the university directly to explain the situation as soon as you’ve submitted a review request, since they can advise on next steps while you wait for the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a review of my own exam results directly?
No. Your school or college must submit the request on your behalf, since only they hold the necessary registration details with the exam board.
Can my grade go down after a review of marking?
Yes. A review of marking is a genuine re-examination, meaning your grade can go down, go up, or stay the same, so it’s worth being confident there’s a real basis for the request.
How long does the appeals process take?
This varies by exam board and time of year, but typically takes a few weeks, so it’s worth acting quickly, particularly if a university place depends on the outcome.
Does requesting a review cost money?
Exam boards typically charge a fee for reviews, though many schools cover this cost, and fees are often refunded if the review results in a grade change, so check your school’s specific policy.
The appeals process exists for genuine marking concerns, not general disappointment, and understanding that grades can move in either direction helps you make a clear-headed decision. If your results affect your university plans either way, our guide to UCAS Clearing and guide to what replaced UCAS Adjustment cover your options.
