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A-level Eng Lit Remark Help!!

I received an A in English Lit (Edexcel) after being a straight A* student in all of my classwork. Since I was 1 mark away from the boundary, I requested my scripts back so I could judge if it was worth getting them remarked.

I was shocked to find that I got 36/40 on Paper 2 (a score I would expect) but only 33/60 on Paper 3. Having read my responses back, I do not think that the quality of answer is different enough to warrant that kind of mark on Paper 3. Individually I received 17/30 and 16/30 on the two questions, which are scores I have quite literally never received in my academic career. I'm very happy with the responses I gave and feel that they answer the question and hit the AOs.

My question is, is that kind of disparity (I'm thinking at least 10 marks, probably more) actually possible? I got my friend who does English Lit as well to read my papers over and she absolutely agrees that I was considerably undermarked, but the odds feel incredibly slim and I feel a bit like I'm going insane.
Reply 1
Hi, I’m in the same situation as you although I’m many more marks off an A*. 100% get paper 3 remarked. I don’t understand how Poetry was marked but I was also shocked as I’ve never gotten a mark that low before. I think you’ll get an A* if you get it remarked so don’t stress :smile:
Original post by hy_a7
Hi, I’m in the same situation as you although I’m many more marks off an A*. 100% get paper 3 remarked. I don’t understand how Poetry was marked but I was also shocked as I’ve never gotten a mark that low before. I think you’ll get an A* if you get it remarked so don’t stress :smile:

I'm so sorry you're in the same situation as me - it's horrible. Maybe we had the same examiner 😣 I've been advised to put all three papers in for remarking so we'll see what comes of it.... I was just so shocked because my teacher explained how the marking system works and it seems very well moderated, but my scores would indicate otherwise. If you're also going in for remarking I hope you get your A* I don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility as it seems like something weird was going on.
Reply 3
Original post by infinitejester
I received an A in English Lit (Edexcel) after being a straight A* student in all of my classwork. Since I was 1 mark away from the boundary, I requested my scripts back so I could judge if it was worth getting them remarked.
I was shocked to find that I got 36/40 on Paper 2 (a score I would expect) but only 33/60 on Paper 3. Having read my responses back, I do not think that the quality of answer is different enough to warrant that kind of mark on Paper 3. Individually I received 17/30 and 16/30 on the two questions, which are scores I have quite literally never received in my academic career. I'm very happy with the responses I gave and feel that they answer the question and hit the AOs.
My question is, is that kind of disparity (I'm thinking at least 10 marks, probably more) actually possible? I got my friend who does English Lit as well to read my papers over and she absolutely agrees that I was considerably undermarked, but the odds feel incredibly slim and I feel a bit like I'm going insane.
I'd really only do it if you need to for a specific University. It's quite expensive otherwise, and an A is still really good (although, I'm aware it's still disappointing after getting A* all year around). At the end of the day it's up to you to decide if it's worth it, and if you have the money. Wishing you the best whichever way you choose!! x
Original post by infinitejester
I received an A in English Lit (Edexcel) after being a straight A* student in all of my classwork. Since I was 1 mark away from the boundary, I requested my scripts back so I could judge if it was worth getting them remarked.
I was shocked to find that I got 36/40 on Paper 2 (a score I would expect) but only 33/60 on Paper 3. Having read my responses back, I do not think that the quality of answer is different enough to warrant that kind of mark on Paper 3. Individually I received 17/30 and 16/30 on the two questions, which are scores I have quite literally never received in my academic career. I'm very happy with the responses I gave and feel that they answer the question and hit the AOs.
My question is, is that kind of disparity (I'm thinking at least 10 marks, probably more) actually possible? I got my friend who does English Lit as well to read my papers over and she absolutely agrees that I was considerably undermarked, but the odds feel incredibly slim and I feel a bit like I'm going insane.

I’m in the exact same boat in the sense that I’ve been predicted an A* for the last two years and have never done worse than I did in the poetry exam (17/30 + 19/30). I’m further off than you to an A* but am getting it remarked anyway bc I thought paper 3 went pretty well so am hoping that the next examiner isn’t as harsh as the first.
Original post by BigFoot11
I’m in the exact same boat in the sense that I’ve been predicted an A* for the last two years and have never done worse than I did in the poetry exam (17/30 + 19/30). I’m further off than you to an A* but am getting it remarked anyway bc I thought paper 3 went pretty well so am hoping that the next examiner isn’t as harsh as the first.

OMG there is something bizarre going on with the poetry marking this year because I've found out my friend who expected an A* also did unprecedentedly badly in that paper. I've even read her responses and they objectively deserve more marks than they got I have no absolutely no idea how the examiners ended up with what they gave her.

Best of luck with the remark and please lmk if it's successful!
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 6
I’m in the exact same situation with English. I applied for priority remark as my teachers had a look at the scripts and determined I was wildly undermarked. Hoping my B will become an A so I can keep my firm offer! Wishing us all luck!
Original post by YL1MIS
I’m in the exact same situation with English. I applied for priority remark as my teachers had a look at the scripts and determined I was wildly undermarked. Hoping my B will become an A so I can keep my firm offer! Wishing us all luck!
Atp Edexcel just need to retrain their examiners because what the hell?? It does make me feel better that I'm not the only one dealing with this madness though best of luck to you!! Please lmk the outcome of your remark since mine will be a while (didn't need priority).
Reply 8
Original post by infinitejester
Atp Edexcel just need to retrain their examiners because what the hell?? It does make me feel better that I'm not the only one dealing with this madness though best of luck to you!! Please lmk the outcome of your remark since mine will be a while (didn't need priority).

My friend was 5 marks off an A* and got a remark for the poetry section. There was no change in marks. I'm not getting a remark because I don't think I'll get the A*. Let me know how your remark goes!
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 9
Original post by infinitejester
Atp Edexcel just need to retrain their examiners because what the hell?? It does make me feel better that I'm not the only one dealing with this madness though best of luck to you!! Please lmk the outcome of your remark since mine will be a while (didn't need priority).


Nothing changed sadly - KCL here I come!
Reply 10
Original post by infinitejester
I received an A in English Lit (Edexcel) after being a straight A* student in all of my classwork. Since I was 1 mark away from the boundary, I requested my scripts back so I could judge if it was worth getting them remarked.
I was shocked to find that I got 36/40 on Paper 2 (a score I would expect) but only 33/60 on Paper 3. Having read my responses back, I do not think that the quality of answer is different enough to warrant that kind of mark on Paper 3. Individually I received 17/30 and 16/30 on the two questions, which are scores I have quite literally never received in my academic career. I'm very happy with the responses I gave and feel that they answer the question and hit the AOs.
My question is, is that kind of disparity (I'm thinking at least 10 marks, probably more) actually possible? I got my friend who does English Lit as well to read my papers over and she absolutely agrees that I was considerably undermarked, but the odds feel incredibly slim and I feel a bit like I'm going insane.

Get a priority remark - I know someone who gained 12 marks
Original post by tavsin
Get a priority remark - I know someone who gained 12 marks

Ended up gaining 10 all on one paper (literally a 17% difference wtaf)
Original post by hy_a7
My friend was 5 marks off an A* and got a remark for the poetry section. There was no change in marks. I'm not getting a remark because I don't think I'll get the A*. Let me know how your remark goes!

Got the remark back yesterday and I ended up gaining 10 marks (all on the poetry paper lol) so got the A*! Bit wild tho bc the odds of gaining that many marks is minuscule
Reply 13
Original post by infinitejester
Got the remark back yesterday and I ended up gaining 10 marks (all on the poetry paper lol) so got the A*! Bit wild tho bc the odds of gaining that many marks is minuscule

Congrats!!
Original post by infinitejester
I received an A in English Lit (Edexcel) after being a straight A* student in all of my classwork. Since I was 1 mark away from the boundary, I requested my scripts back so I could judge if it was worth getting them remarked.
I was shocked to find that I got 36/40 on Paper 2 (a score I would expect) but only 33/60 on Paper 3. Having read my responses back, I do not think that the quality of answer is different enough to warrant that kind of mark on Paper 3. Individually I received 17/30 and 16/30 on the two questions, which are scores I have quite literally never received in my academic career. I'm very happy with the responses I gave and feel that they answer the question and hit the AOs.
My question is, is that kind of disparity (I'm thinking at least 10 marks, probably more) actually possible? I got my friend who does English Lit as well to read my papers over and she absolutely agrees that I was considerably undermarked, but the odds feel incredibly slim and I feel a bit like I'm going insane.

Hiya- I was assured it's very rare, but a couple years ago I did GCSE history and got a 7, which I thought was weird, so I requested a remark. Turns out they'd undermarked me by 16 marks and I actually got a 9. Since then I trust no-one lmao

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