What is the results service?The results service is an SQA replacement of the previous appeals system as of 2014. Like the appeals system, it is an attempt by the SQA to make sure candidates receive the grades and qualifications that they really deserve, in spite of what could be considered underperforming in the main exam.
How does the results service work?There are two types of results service that the SQA provide:
exceptional circumstances consideration, and the
post-results service.
What is the Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service?This service is open only prior to results day. If you believe your exam performance has been affected by exceptional circumstances (e.g. bereavement; illness ... ), then your school or centre can submit an "appeal" on your behalf for this to be taken into account. Along with this, alternative evidence of your past performance can be submitted - including things like prelims, other mock exams, or coursework. In this way, the exceptional circumstance consideration service is most like the previous appeals service.
In addition to this, the SQA will also take the results of other candidates from your school/centre into account when considering your exam performance.
What is the Post Results Service?This service is available only after results day. Instead of submitting an appeal, the SQA provide you the opportunity to request a
clerical check (checking that all of your exam has been marked, the marks added up correctly, and then your marks added correctly to the SQA's database) or
marking review (effectively a remark. A clerical check is inclusive with a marking review. i.e. if you submit for a marking review, you get a clerical check, too).
The use of these services can lead to an
increase or decrease of your grade if the SQA discover there has been an error with the paper. Meaning that if you get a B, your grade may be bumped up to an A (if they discover they've given you too few marks) or down to a C (if they discover you've been given marks you shouldn't have). This means that, unlike appeals, there's an inherent risk in submitting a clerical check or marking review.
Alternative evidence will
not be considered in the post results service, and if this submission does
not lead to a change in your grade, then your school/centre will be charged a fee for its submission.
So what if my grade changes as a result of the post results service?Then you will be issued with a new, updated
Scottish Qualifications Certificate and the SQA will change your grade in their system.
Who can use the new results service?Everyone. Unlike the old appeals service where only a select few candidates who performed below their estimation were eligible for an appeal, all candidates who have completed their course are eligible to use the results service.
Should I try to submit a clerical check/marking review?As this is a new system for 2014, the experience of TSR Group staff, volunteers and users with this system is extremely limited! Thus, the advice we can give you about whether or not a check and/or review is "worth" it is also extremely limited. The best people to ask for advice are your counsellors and teachers at school!
I missed the grade for my university offer! I need a marking review fast! What can I do?
As with appeals, the SQA still offer a
priority marking review service. It is important that you get in contact with your school to explain that you require a priority review in order to meet your conditional offer. It is also important that you contact the university where you are hoping to meet the conditions and tell them that you have submitted a priority marking review to the SQA in the hope that you will meet the conditions. They will probably have already declined you on UCAS Track but if you make them aware of this new information, it is likely that they'll wait to hear about the result of your SQA appeal. The latest a university will hear about the result of your marking review is
29 August 2014, so it might be worthwhile giving them this date, too.
What are the deadlines for using the post results service?The closing date for priority marking review requests is
20 August 2014, with the outcome being received by
29 August 2014.
The closing date for non-priority clerical check or marking review requests is
27 August 2014. The outcome of a clerical check will be delivered to a centre within 10 working days of the receipt of a request; the outcome of a marking review will be delivered to centres from
2 September 2014.
For full information, including answers to more questions and key dates, you can check the full SQA results service page
here.