Don’t you hate it when you work super hard for your A-Level exams, but the results don’t quite reflect all that effort? It can be a real blow! Very frustrating, too!
Maybe you were feeling under the weather on exam day, or something unexpected threw you off your game. Whatever the reason, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do.
There’s actually a process for appealing your A-Level results. It might sound scary, but it’s not as bad as it seems. Think of it like double-checking your answer sheet – just in case there might be a mistake.
In this article, we will discuss how to appeal A-Level results and answer questions like “When can I appeal?” and “What are my chances of success?” We will also give you some helpful tips on making your appeal strong.
Table of contents
What is an Appeal?
An appeal is a formal request to review your A-level results based on valid grounds.
It’s important to note that an appeal is not a re-mark of your paper; rather, it involves thoroughly examining the process leading to assessing your results.
You can appeal A level if you believe the marking of your paper was unreasonably harsh.
Read: What Are Level 3 Qualifications in the UK?
Simple Guide on How to Appeal A Level Results
If your results do not meet your expectations or strongly feel you did better than what you got on result day, follow this simple guide to appeal your A-level result.
With the right guidance and support, you can successfully appeal your results.
Step 1: Understand Your Results
Before you appeal your results, it’s important to understand what they mean. You must know your grades, the subjects you took, and the university or college requirements you applied to.
Step 2: Speak to Your Teachers
If you’re unhappy with your results, the first step is to speak to your teachers. They will be able to explain your results in more detail and provide you with guidance on what to do next.
They may also be able to help you identify any mistakes that were made during the grading process.
Contacting your school or teachers is a crucial step in any guide on How to Appeal A Level Results.
Step 3: Check the Deadline
It’s important to make note of the deadline for appealing A-level results. In the UK, the deadline is usually in mid-September. Make sure to check the exact date with your school or college.
You can find the latest deadlines for this application for the following countries.
Step 4: Request a Review
If you’re still unhappy with your results after speaking to your teachers, you can request a review. This involves asking for your exam papers to be re-marked.
You must fill out a form and pay a fee for each paper you want to be re-marked. The fee varies depending on the exam board, but it’s usually around £40-£50 per paper.
Also, read: How Long Does A GCSE Remark Take?
Step 5: Submit the Appeal
If your concerns are not resolved at the school level, you can proceed to submit an appeal to the examination board formally. This usually involves filling out a specific appeal form and providing detailed information about your case.
Step 6: Request a Re-sit.
After the review, you can request a re-sit if you’re still unhappy with your results. This involves re-taking the exam in question. You will need to register for the re-sit and pay a fee. The fee varies depending on the exam board, but it’s usually around £100-£150 per exam.
Step 7: Contact UCAS
If you’ve applied to university through UCAS and your results have changed due to your appeal, you must contact UCAS. They can update your application and inform the universities you’ve applied to of your new grades.
Step 8: Consider Your Options
If you’re still unhappy with your results after appealing, it’s important to consider your options. You may want to consider alternative routes into higher education, such as vocational courses or apprenticeships.
Alternatively, you may want to take a gap year and re-apply to university next year. In conclusion, appealing A-level results can be stressful and daunting.
However, with the right guidance and support, it can be successful. Remember to speak to your teachers, understand your results, and check the deadlines.
And if you’re still unhappy with your results after appealing, remember that there are always alternative routes into higher education.
Read Also: How Much Do A-level Tutors Charge in the UK?
When is A-level results day?
A level results day 2024 is on August 15, 2024. You must head to your school or college to pick them up in person.
They usually start handing them out at 8 a.m. Starting at 8 a.m., UCAS Hub, the system used to track university applications, will be updated.
You can choose to have them emailed or sent through the post. However, many schools suggest going in person to collect your results so that you can receive any necessary support from your teachers.
If you can’t pick them up yourself, you can arrange for a trusted friend or relative to do so. Just make sure they bring a signed letter from you and a form of ID for themselves.
Read Also: A-levels : Everything You Need to Know
What are the A Level grade boundaries?
Like any other academic evaluation, A-level exams and coursework have their grading systems. Each examination board sets up its mechanism to determine the grade that a student will receive.
Once the marking has been completed, the grade boundaries for each exam are established to ensure that the difficulty level of that year’s exams is considered.
This way, no student is unfairly penalized for an unusually challenging exam. A-level exam pass grades range from A* to E, with U given to those who fail the exam.
It’s worth noting that different examination boards have their unique grade boundaries. Click a country to find updated information on its A-level grade boundaries.
Also, see: GCSE Grade Boundaries Explained | Expert Tips
What You Should Do Next With Your A Level Result
What you do next with your results depends on whether you met your grades, narrowly missed, or completely missed your grades.
If you achieve your desired grades, UCAS will inform you whether you’ve been accepted into your chosen university as a firm or insurance choice.
Keep an eye out for university emails, which may contain further instructions or requirements outlined in the offer conditions. Once your student finances are taken care of, it’s time to rejoice!
However, if you didn’t quite meet the grades required by your chosen university, don’t worry. Some universities may still accept students who missed their offer, but it’s up to the discretion of individual course providers.
It’s best to speak directly with someone at the university or college to explore your options. Your insurance choice might also be a good alternative if your grades match their requirements.
Sometimes, your chosen university may offer you a slightly different course, which you’ll need to accept through Track. If that doesn’t work out, you can apply for other courses through Clearing, either at the same university or a different one.
FAQs
Yes, you can choose to appeal to any subject you have concerns about.
Each examination board may have its deadline, so it’s crucial to check the specific dates.
You can still go through the appeals process while keeping your university offer.
To appeal against a grade, contact your school or college. Or, follow this easy guide to appeal your results.
If your appeal is unsuccessful, your original results will stand, and no further appeals can be made.
Conclusion
Appealing A-level results can be a difficult and emotional process, but it is necessary for students who feel that their results do not accurately represent their abilities.
By understanding the valid grounds for appeal, following the correct procedures, and providing compelling evidence, you can confidently navigate the appeals process.
Remember, ensuring fairness and accuracy in your academic achievements is the goal.
References
- Telegraph.co.UK – A-level results day 2023: When is it, what to expect
- CompleteUniversityGuide.Co.UK – Appealing your A-Level results
- Gov.uk – Appeal against a GCSE, AS, or A-level grade or the result of
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