Karis Dunne Little, a 20-year-old student, fell just four points short of obtaining a passing grade on her Chemistry A-level exams. Despite some pushback from her school, she decided to request a re-mark. Unfortunately, her grade was lowered rather than improved, and by the time the results came back, she had already secured a spot at Staffordshire University to study Geography, after entering the university through Clearing.
According to Mike Nicholson, the Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Bath, being upgraded to a passing grade is a difficult process. Students must provide sufficient evidence that their grades are incorrect for any revisions to occur. Exam boards are responsible for setting the boundaries for grade achievements, and while they may change each year, the differences are typically negligible.
If a student is displeased with their grades, the logical first step should always be to consult with their school to analyze the results fully. Gaining your institution’s backing is crucial in ensuring any appeal has a higher likelihood of success. If a student requires the grades for university but still wishes to challenge their scores, they must arrange for a priority re-mark. These appeals could cost roughly £50 per paper and will only be revised if the original grading is incorrect. Students should keep their universities in the loop about any appeals they have lodged.
Appeal results ought to be back within 15 days, but schools may award the place to another student if no updates are shared within a specific timeframe, particularly after August’s end. In such cases, an institution may be unable to offer new students a place, and such students may have to apply again for the next year or a different course. Another option for students who are unhappy with their results is that they may choose to retake their exams, either at their high schools or further education centres.
Nicholson cautions that this option has become more challenging in recent times due to changes in the syllabus, with some subjects now having markedly different exam-content from previous years. If students were struggling with their full-time studies, they should consider whether they could fare better with less time and support from educators. Thanks to fewer 18-year-olds within the system and more places available to new students, there should be more places available than usual this year. Nicholson, however, warns students against accepting a course that falls considerably below their previous grade requirements.
Overall, missing her first choice of university has had some benefits for Karis; she was thrilled to report, "I’m so happy. I have met one of my best friends – she lived next door to me in the first year, and we’re living together next year. I’ve met so many different people – and it’s so much cheaper here."
