Average A-level and GCSE grades are expected to fall this year, potentially impacting thousands of students' plans for their continuing education. Students who miss their predicted grades may miss out on their first choice of further study, so it is essential to understand your rights if this affects you or your child.
Why are A-level and GCSE grades expected to fall?
The government has asked regulators to set grade boundaries so that the percentages of different grades awarded would fall halfway between those given out in 2019 and 2021.
Average grades were much higher over the last two years due to exams being cancelled and grades being teacher-assessed instead. Now that grades have returned to being assessed by exams, the government wants to correct this grade-inflation.
What will lower average grades mean for students?
Up to 60,000 students applying to university could miss out on their first choice place, according to an analysis by Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham. This assumes an average drop of two grades per student.
The impact of missing grades is likely to impact some students more than others. Those applying for popular universities and courses can expect places to be more competitive, so missing their offer could be more serious.
However, students have been assured that most will get their first choice of university course by exams regulator Ofqual and university admissions service UCAS. An Ofqual spokesperson confirmed that the regulator has spoken to universities to confirm that they understood how grades were being awarded this year.
What happens if you miss your required A-level or GCSE results?
Even if you miss the required grades for your chosen course of study, you may still be accepted. It is important to check with your first choice university, college or sixth form before taking further action.
If you do not receive the place you were hoping for due to missing out on your predicted grades, then it may be possible to have your exam results reassessed to see if a mistake has been made.
How to challenge A-level or GCSE exam results
There are various processes available to challenge A-Level or GCSE results.
These can involve, for example, the following:
- requesting that your exam is re-marked
- applying for Special Considerations
- challenging any potential malpractice or maladministration. The process for getting A-level and GCSE exam grades reassessed is called a Review of Results (RoR). This doesn't involve your exam being remarked from scratch, but rather your exam board checking the way your exam was originally graded.
Is it worth challenging GCSE and A-level exam results?
20% of exam grades challenged in 2018 were changed as a result, according to official government statistics. So, if you are unhappy with your results, there is a good chance it may be worth taking action.
How long does it take to get A-level grades remarked?
UCAS asks universities to make decisions about university places by 31 August, so if you want to get your grades reassessed, then you ideally need to have it done before this date.
To speed up the remarking process, you can ask for a priority review of marking. However, this takes up to 15 days, so there is no guarantee it will be completed in time for the 31 August deadline.
If you miss this deadline, then universities can still consider reassessed grades received after this deadline on a case-by-case basis, but it is possible your chosen course might be full by this point. In this case, you may be able to receive deferred entry for the next academic year.
Consult our expert Education law solicitors
At IBB Law, we are passionate about making sure students get the best outcomes from their education. If you are concerned about your child not getting the exam results they need for their chosen course of further study, we will be happy to advise you.
IBB Law Consultant Salima Mawji has been recognised as one of the UK's leading experts in education law. We have an excellent track record of helping families to navigate even the most challenging education law issues, so you can be confident that your family is in safe hands.
To book your initial consultation or to find out more about how we can help, please contact the Education team on educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk or call 0330 175 7620.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.