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Writer's pictureKatie B

Student Guide: Appeals 2020

Due to COVID-19 we all know that exams were not taken. However, as a result, your assessment centre (i.e. school or college) have made a judgement on which grade they believe you are most likely to achieve if the exams had gone ahead. To decide, they have looked at a range of evidence including non-exam assessment; homework assignments; and mock exams. You may have heard about a standardisation process that was put in place which could calculate grades. As a result, you will receive either the centre assessment grade or calculated grade - whichever is higher.

What to do if you're results are not what you expected

1) Speak to your school or college

They will best explain on what basis you can and cannot appeal your results. Furthermore, only your school or college can submit the appeal on your behalf.


2) I think there was a mistake when my school/college submitted their assessment grade

You can ask your school to check whether it has made an admin error. This may be due to mixing up students with similar names or accidentally copying across the wrong data. This doesn't mean the professional judgements are incorrect but just that a mistake has happened. If your school/college thinks this has happened, it can submit an appeal to the exam board - but it must have clear evidence to support that an error has been made.


3)I don't agree with the grade given by my teacher

Your school/college submitted the grades they thought you were most likely to achieve. However, Ofqual have stated that "Any appeal would have to be decided by someone better placed than your teachers to judge your likely grade if exams had taken place. Because exams were cancelled, we don’t think there is such a person. This means you can’t appeal your grade just because you don’t agree with the centre assessment grade submitted by your school or college."


You could take the exams in autumn or summer instead to try to improve the result. Alternatively, you would need to prove there was bias, discrimination or something else suggesting that your school/ college did not behave with care or integrity.


4) My mock results were higher

You cannot appeal based on this alone. The school/ college would have considered the mock results when deciding the grades but it is not the only factor they consider. Your final grade was determined by whether the assessment or calculated grade was higher.


5)I would've done better if I had sat the exam

This may be true but it isn't grounds for an appeal. You may wish to take the exam in October or summer 2021 if you believe this to be the case and want to improve your result.


6)I have concerns about my disability or discrimination may have taken place.

If this is the case, I would refer you to Ofqual's student guide to appeals, malpractice and maladministration complaints for more information.


The appeals process

Deadline: 17th September 2020


It's important that you remember that:

  • Only your school/college can make an appeal

  • Ask your school/college if there was an error or mistake when submitting data to the exam board

  • You cannot appeal because your mock grades were higher as this was only one part of the evidence required when deciding on your assessment grade.

  • You cannot challenge your school/college as any appeal would need to be undertaken by someone better placed than your teachers - which there is not in this year

  • Your grade is protected and will not go down as a result of an appeal

  • If your school/ college won’t submit an appeal on your behalf, it must have a process in place for you to ask for an independent review of that decision.


For more information please read the Ofqual guide to results Summer 2020.

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