Post Results Services

Arrangements for access to marked examination scripts

Awarding bodies will provide access to marked scripts for the following qualifications:

• GCE AS and A-Level
• GCSE
• Level 1, 2 and 3 Vocational Technical Qualifications. This service is not available for City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Technical qualifications.

A ‘script’ means the work submitted by a candidate as part of an externally assessed component. Additional information on the interpretation of marked examination scripts may be found on awarding bodies’ websites.

From candidate results day, a PDF copy of the completed question papers or ‘scripts’ can be downloaded on your behalf prior consent must be obtained.

Copies of scripts to support reviews of marking:

• Candidates will be able to request copies of GCE AS, A Level, GCSE and L1, 2 and 3 VTQ scripts before deciding whether to request a review of marking.
• Prior permission must be obtained
• A candidate that requires a copy of the script which has been subject to either a clerical re-check or a review of marking should refer to the relevant awarding body’s website for further information.

If a GCE A-Level or Level 3 VTQ candidate is thinking of having a Priority Service 2P Review of Marking, please refer to the relevant awarding body’s website to understand the implications of requesting a copy of the script

Copies of scripts to support teaching and learning

Prior permission must be obtained from any candidate where the centre intends to request their script(s). Candidates who grant their permission have the right to anonymity of their scripts before use. The centre will seek candidates’ permission to use their script. Scripts must only be seen by teachers who are members of staff at that centre or within a consortium of centres or returned directly to the candidates.

Where teachers have used copies of candidates’ scripts for teaching and learning purposes, but no longer wish to retain them, they must ensure scripts are disposed of in a confidential manner.

With the exception of archive material, awarding bodies do not keep candidates’ responses indefinitely. This includes examination scripts and electronic script images.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Information recorded by candidates in examination scripts is exempt from Subject Access Requests under the provisions of the UK GDPR.

This service will include the following checks:

• that all parts of the script have been marked;
• the totalling of marks;
• the recording of marks.

The deadline for completion is within 10 calendar days of the awarding body receiving the request.

This service will include:

• the clerical re-checks detailed in Service 1;
• a review of marking as described below.

This is a post-results review of the original marking to ensure that the mark scheme has been applied correctly.

An academic judgement is what is involved when assessing. It is possible for different examiners reasonably to reach different judgements. Unreasonableness in academic judgement occurs where the mark given is one that no reasonable examiner could properly have awarded.

The awarding body will train its reviewers to conduct reviews of marking accurately and consistently. Reviewers will not re-mark the script. They will only act to correct any errors identified in the original marking.

The service is available for externally assessed components of both unitised and linear GCE AS, A-level and GCSE specifications. It is also available for Level 1, 2 and 3 Vocational Technical Qualifications.

The deadline for completion is within 20 calendar days of the awarding body receiving the request.

The service is available for externally assessed components of both unitised and linear GCE A-level specifications. It is also available for Level 3 Vocational Technical Qualifications. For NCFE this service only applies to T-levels.

This is a priority review of the original marking to ensure that the mark scheme has been applied correctly.

A marking error can occur because of: 

• an administrative error;
• a failure to apply the mark scheme where a task has only a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer;
• an unreasonable exercise of academic judgement. 

An academic judgement is what is involved when assessing. It is possible for different examiners reasonably to reach different judgements. Unreasonableness in academic judgement occurs where the mark given is one that no reasonable examiner could properly have awarded.

The awarding body will train its reviewers to conduct reviews of marking accurately and consistently. Reviewers will not re-mark the script. They will only act to correct any errors identified in the original marking.

The deadline for completion is within 15 calendar days of the awarding body receiving the request.

Fees for post results services are set independently by each Awarding body and must be paid to Nottingham College before any applications can be submitted on your behalf to the Awarding body.

Where a review of marking results in the overall grade going up, a refund will be given.

Where there has been a reduction in marks or downgrade following a review of marking, the request cannot be revoked, and the original mark or grade will not be reinstated.

How do I request a Service?

1. Complete the Review of Results form, this will be confirmation of your consent.
2. Ensure you have added the correct information.
3. All requests will be acknowledged within 7 working days informing of outstanding fees and how to make payments.

Please note if payment has not been received before the deadline for the service requested Nottingham College will not proceed with your application.

Requests received after the deadline will not be accepted.

The outcome of each review will be confirmed by the respective awarding body

The awarding body will provide a reason for the decision of a review of marking. If the mark has changed, the reason will either be that an administrative error has occurred or there was a marking error. 

The outcome of the enquiry will be emailed to the candidate by the centre.

Where a grade changes and a certificate has previously been issued, a replacement will be provided showing the revised grade once the candidate has returned the original certificate to the Exams Team.

An awarding body will not inform UCAS or others that a review of marking has been requested. However, it will advise UCAS of any grade change arising from a review. Full details on the guidance provided by UCAS can be found on their website.

All consent forms or emails from candidates will be retained and kept for six months following the outcome of the review of marking or any subsequent appeal.

You can find the grade boundaries for each of the following examination boards below:

• AQA Grade Boundaries
• Pearson Grade Boundaries
• OCR Grade Boundaries
• WJEC Grade Boundaries