The report shows that there were 355 appeals against results made in 2016, compared to 466 in 2015 – a decrease of 24%.
This reduction is in the context of a drop in the number of GCSE, AS and A level unit entries and drop in the number of requests for reviews of marking in 2016 compare to 2015.
In 2016 211 (3.2%) of all grades challenged at appeal led to a grade change. This compares to 2015 where 49 (0.7%) of grades challenged under appeal were changed. An appeal can relate to more than one student.
This increase in successful appeals, from 31 in 2015 to 46 in 2016, follows a pilot run in 2016 to test new grounds for appeal in 3 subjects. For AS and A level geography, physics and religious studies the grounds for appeal following a review were extended to allow an appeal on the grounds of a marking error that was not corrected during the review. Traditionally, exam boards have only accepted appeals on the grounds of a procedural error.
Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, said: “The appeals pilot in three subjects is part of a set of wider changes we are making to the marking reviews and appeals system. The changes aim to make the system as fair as it can be for all students and to make sure students get the grade their performance deserved.
“We are evaluating the pilot before deciding whether to extend the additional grounds to other subjects.”
An appeal can be requested once a school or college has gone through the review of marking and moderation process if they are dissatisfied with the outcome.
The full statistical release, Appeals for GCSE and GCE: summer 2016 exam series, can be read here
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