GCSE Appeals, Remarks and Retakes 2025

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

GCSE Appeals and Remarks 2025

(Scroll down to Post #2 for information on GCSE Retakes 2025)

Important information is highlighted in bold.

This advice applies specifically to JCQ exams (AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, etc). Other types of qualifications and other exam boards may vary.

1. Understand your results

Start by carefully reviewing your results. Understand the grades you’ve received, how they align with your expectations, and what they mean for your next steps. If you’re unsure, speak with your teachers or advisors at your school/college.

2. A basic outline of the appeals process

If you are unhappy with your grade(s), speak to your school/college.

Schools and colleges have several different options they can consider. Here they are:

•

Review of marking

This is when the exam board asks an examiner to review the marking to ensure it was carried out correctly. The examiner does not remark the paper, so it is not considered a remark, but instead checks that the original marking was accurate.

The school is charged for this service, and the fee is only waived if the grade changes as a result of the review of marking. If the marks change but the grade stays the same, the charge still applies. The school may ask you to cover the cost if you are requesting a review of marking.

Reviews of marking can cause grades or marks to go up or down. Therefore, the school will ask for your explicit consent before requesting this service.

See below for how you can get a priority review of marking (section called 'Impact on your next steps')

•

Review of moderation

Your school can request a review of moderation if they believe an internal assessment was moderated unfairly. This involves an examiner checking whether the external moderation was carried out properly. Your consent is not needed for this, as it may affect the grades of many students. Your grade cannot go down as a result of this process - it can only go up. Schools are only likely to request this if they notice that several students received lower than expected results in internal assessments.

•

Further appeals

There are three further steps your school or college can take if the outcome of reviews of marking or moderation is not as they had hoped.

Appeal 1
The school submits an appeal document to the exam board, explaining why they believe an error has still occurred. The exam board will review the appeal and respond, potentially changing the outcome for affected candidates if they agree that an error has been made. Each exam board has its own specific criteria for considering appeals.

Appeal 2
If the school has gone through Appeal 1 and been unsuccessful, they can request an appeal hearing. The exam board will have an appeals panel (again, details depend on the board) who will hear the case and make a judgement.

EPRS
Ofqual offer an Exam Procedures Review Service. This is where Ofqual simply check that the exam board have followed their policies and procedures in the handling of the papers, distribution of grades and appeal process. Ofqual will not mark anyone's paper for them.

Schools will usually be very unwilling to go into Appeal 1, Appeal 2 or the EPRS. It's a complicated and lengthy process.

•

Request the script

Separate from the above, schools or colleges can request that your exam paper is returned to them. This allows them to review your answers and decide whether to submit a review of marking. If your score is not close to the next grade boundary, this may not be worth waiting for.

3. Impact on your next steps

•

Informing schools or colleges

Call the sixth form or college whose offers may be affected. Let them know that your exams are undergoing a review of marking and ask if they will honour your original offer if your grades change to meet the conditions.

•

Response timeline

Priority reviews of marking will receive a response within 20 calendar days. If submitted on GCSE results day, 21 August, you should have an outcome by 10 September.

•

More about the outcome

Always have a plan B. You cannot rely on reviews of marking going in your favour.

Here is a table outlining the 'Average absolute mark change for the 10 GCSE subjects with the highest number of grades challenged'. Please note, this is raw mark 'change' so your mark could go up or down.

Image 08-07-2025 at 14.43.jpeg

At The Student Room, we recommend preparing for every possible outcome.

4. Important dates

The deadline for appeals is 25 September, but double-check with your exam board to know the exact date.

5. Other helpful links

Click here to ask a question about GCSEs

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

5hyl33n

OP

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

GCSE RETAKES 2025

(Scroll up to Post #1 for information on GCSE Appeals and Remarks 2025)

Important information is highlighted in bold.

This advice applies specifically to JCQ exams (AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, etc). Other types of qualifications and other exam boards may vary.

1. Understand your results

Start by carefully reviewing your results. Understand the grades you’ve received, how they align with your expectations, and what they mean for your next steps. If you’re unsure, speak with your teachers or advisors at your school/college.

2. Consider the following factors:

•

Your future plans

Think about whether you really need to resit. A grade below your expectations isn’t the end of the world. There are excellent colleges and vocational routes that don’t demand top grades but still offer strong support and great long-term outcomes. Sometimes, choosing an environment where you’ll thrive is more valuable than chasing a perfect grade.

•

Be honest with yourself

Did something significant affect your performance (illness, bereavement, etc) If so, and if the situation has since been resolved, a resit might give you the chance to show your true potential. However, many universities will also take these circumstances into account through their mitigating circumstances process. This usually involves submitting a form for each university at the same time as your UCAS application, or in some cases, a formal letter from your school will be accepted instead.
But if you struggled because of lack of focus, inconsistent effort, or unrealistic expectations, ask yourself:
Are you ready to work differently and not just hope for different results?
Resits are a serious commitment, and unless you’re prepared to genuinely change your approach, you might be better off moving forward and making the most of the path you’re already on. It seems like the end of the world now, but it really isn't. And we are here to support you if you need advice.

•

Entry requirements

Some sixth forms or college courses are stricter about accepting resit students, especially for competitive subjects. The same goes for universities when they make offers. Make sure the places you’re aiming for accept resits, and understand any entry requirements or restrictions they might have.

•

Which resits are actually necessary?

If you have a GCSE English Language or Maths below grade 4, you might want to consider resitting. These subjects are required by many sixth forms, apprenticeships, and employers. If you got a 3 or below, you'll usually have to resit, often as early as November.

3. Impact on your next steps

If you wish to resit your exams, it depends on which ones they are.

If you want to retake GCSE English or Maths, there is an opportunity to do so in the November 2025 exam series. Speak to your school’s exams officer if this is something you’re considering.
If you want to resit a different qualification, you’ll most likely need to wait until the Summer 2026 exam series.
In most cases, you’ll have to retake the entire qualification. This is a big decision, so take time to think it through and speak with family or loved ones before making a choice.

You can also reach out to us for support.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 2

5hyl33n

OP

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

The Student Room encourages you to Be Results Proud, click the image below to read more

(edited 1 month ago)

Be Results Proud banner.png102.7KB

Reply 3

Allllhhhhr

2

I’m very lost. My mocks always showed a solid 7 in all sciences, I was hoping for an 8 but was ok with a 7 too. When I woke up to my grades I literally wanted the ground to swallow me. I got all 4s for bio, chem and physics. I was hoping to do them for A-level. Now all my plans have changed.
I’m so confused. I got into sixth form but doing completely different path I thought I’d be doing. Now going into humanities I feel I’m going to limit myself…i was thinking of doing maths a level but I hate the subject. My teacher thinks I should try it and just put energy into the subject. Will it be better to do maths a-level? Is it really going to open more doors to me? I honestly am so lost

Reply 4

5hyl33n

OP

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post

by Allllhhhhr

I’m very lost. My mocks always showed a solid 7 in all sciences, I was hoping for an 8 but was ok with a 7 too. When I woke up to my grades I literally wanted the ground to swallow me. I got all 4s for bio, chem and physics. I was hoping to do them for A-level. Now all my plans have changed.
I’m so confused. I got into sixth form but doing completely different path I thought I’d be doing. Now going into humanities I feel I’m going to limit myself…i was thinking of doing maths a level but I hate the subject. My teacher thinks I should try it and just put energy into the subject. Will it be better to do maths a-level? Is it really going to open more doors to me? I honestly am so lost

Hello

I know it feels like everything's changed overnight, but these results don’t close off every path. You still have plenty of options ahead of you, even if they look different from what you first imagined. #BeResultsProud

Don’t take A-Level Maths (or any subject) just because someone says it 'opens doors.' If you don't enjoy it, it'll feel like an uphill battle, and you'll spend two years pushing through something you dislike and you might not be successful.

You're not limiting yourself by going into humanities, there are so many degrees and careers that value those subjects.

It’s okay to feel lost, many people do at this stage. You still have time to figure out things because there isn't just one 'right path' to success.

Which A-Levels have you taken? Have you considered what you might want to do at university?

Reply 5

cIodly

9

my friend needs to get his english language exam remarked as he was 1 mark off a grade 4 — a pass — and currently he cannot enroll into college because of this. he’s gotten a 7 in maths, so it’s definitely possible that he can pass. we’ve emailed 2 different email addresses to our school about appealing, and even went to the school on the 22nd, however reception told us teachers won’t be contactable until the 1st. he’s talked to his college and says that there’s nothing they can do until his english grade is a 4. what else can we do?

Reply 6

5hyl33n

OP

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post

by cIodly

my friend needs to get his english language exam remarked as he was 1 mark off a grade 4 — a pass — and currently he cannot enroll into college because of this. he’s gotten a 7 in maths, so it’s definitely possible that he can pass. we’ve emailed 2 different email addresses to our school about appealing, and even went to the school on the 22nd, however reception told us teachers won’t be contactable until the 1st. he’s talked to his college and says that there’s nothing they can do until his english grade is a 4. what else can we do?

Surely there must be someone available. Have you spoken to the exams officer at your school?

Reply 7

cIodly

9

we have, but she referred to another teacher, who is gonna be in contact in september

Reply 8

5hyl33n

OP

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post

by cIodly

we have, but she referred to another teacher, who is gonna be in contact in september

Okay, there are only two things I can think of...

Your friend gets in touch themselves for the appeal on 1st September. Make sure the college has been made aware of the exact situation. By what date do they need to know if your friend will be attending if the appeal goes in his favour?

If the appeal doesn't go in his favour, your friend would need to resit GCSE English Language. Is he prepared with a plan B in case the appeal doesn't change the grade?

@Muttley79, am I overlooking anything here? Are there any other steps OP’s friend might be able to take?

Reply 9

Muttley79

20

Original post

by cIodly

we have, but she referred to another teacher, who is gonna be in contact in september

Has she given permission for a copy of her papers to be downloaded? This is free and the exams officer can organise this.

Then a teacher needs to go through the marking to see if there's a chance that a mark has been missed. If they think it's likely then it's worth going for a review of marking.

Being good at Maths doesn't necessarily mean a student can do well in English.

Keep the college in the picture.

Reply 10

cIodly

9

yes, the college is aware of the situation. the deadline is 5th september

Reply 11

cIodly

9

Original post

by Muttley79

Has she given permission for a copy of her papers to be downloaded? This is free and the exams officer can organise this.
Then a teacher needs to go through the marking to see if there's a chance that a mark has been missed. If they think it's likely then it's worth going for a review of marking.
Being good at Maths doesn't necessarily mean a student can do well in English.
Keep the college in the picture.

i don’t think the exam officer has permission, my friend hasn’t said anything. i don’t think im able to contact her anyway because i do not have her email

Reply 12

dhritix

1

Original post

by Allllhhhhr

I’m very lost. My mocks always showed a solid 7 in all sciences, I was hoping for an 8 but was ok with a 7 too. When I woke up to my grades I literally wanted the ground to swallow me. I got all 4s for bio, chem and physics. I was hoping to do them for A-level. Now all my plans have changed.
I’m so confused. I got into sixth form but doing completely different path I thought I’d be doing. Now going into humanities I feel I’m going to limit myself…i was thinking of doing maths a level but I hate the subject. My teacher thinks I should try it and just put energy into the subject. Will it be better to do maths a-level? Is it really going to open more doors to me? I honestly am so lost

I was in a similar situation as you and did law related subjects in year 12 because my gcses weren't good enough to do bio/chem, so instead I decided to continue studying the law related subjects in year 12 and retook bio and chem gcse the following summer privately and reapplied as a year 12 but with my new bio and chem gcse grades, so yes I'm a year behind my original year group but in A-levels these things r normal and we don't all start uni at the same time, so if you really want to do bio/chem/physics don't let this stop you but take it as a lesson, and don't study maths if you don't enjoy it, trust me it will only get worse in alevel.

Reply 13

smalll_chihuahua

1

Hello
I want advice on remarking for my IGCSE Edexcel french paper (4FR1)
Im normally good at french, usually band 9 level. However due to some reason, I ended up with a band 8 on results day, 4 marks away from the band 9 boundary. I want to appeal for a remark to get a band 9, especially because my school offers free scholarships to those with all 9s (i got all 9s for my other subjects)

My marks for each component are as follows
Speaking : 32/40
Listening : 32/40
Reading & Writing : 63/80

Pls comment on any opinions on my probability to get a 9, and any advice. Realisitically is it possible to increase the marks by 4 (in areas such as speaking and writing such as essays where there is no fixated mark scheme) ??

Thanks

Reply 14

frenly_ghost

1

my friend has the same exact problem. let me know if u end up applying for a remark and getting a 9 🙂 good luck!

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 15

smalll_chihuahua

1

Original post

by frenly_ghost

my friend has the same exact problem. let me know if u end up applying for a remark and getting a 9 🙂 good luck!

thank you, will it be possible to let me know if he gets a response too? :-)

Reply 16

frenly_ghost

1

Original post

by smalll_chihuahua

thank you, will it be possible to let me know if he gets a response too? :-)

sure!

Reply 17

5hyl33n

OP

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post

by smalll_chihuahua

Hello
I want advice on remarking for my IGCSE Edexcel french paper (4FR1)
Im normally good at french, usually band 9 level. However due to some reason, I ended up with a band 8 on results day, 4 marks away from the band 9 boundary. I want to appeal for a remark to get a band 9, especially because my school offers free scholarships to those with all 9s (i got all 9s for my other subjects)

My marks for each component are as follows
Speaking : 32/40
Listening : 32/40
Reading & Writing : 63/80

Pls comment on any opinions on my probability to get a 9, and any advice. Realisitically is it possible to increase the marks by 4 (in areas such as speaking and writing such as essays where there is no fixated mark scheme) ??

Thanks

Have you asked your school for a copy of your exam transcript so they can check it against the mark scheme? From there you can figure out whether it's worth going for a 'review of marking'. Although, you are aware that since speaking and writing is banded, there is a very unlikely chance it'll change?

Generally speaking, we can't predict the likelihood of your mark being changed, though an increase of 4 marks would be quite uncommon.

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 18

Lewi248

1

Can someone explain why reviews of marking are so unfair? For my History Edexcel IGCSE result, I got 97/120, Grade 8 and is one mark away from a 9. I asked my teacher to look at the scripts and she said it is definitely under marked for one of the 16 markers. However, nothing changed. Both my History teacher and the Head of the History Department said I deserved at least one more mark.

Reply 19

FrancescoLondon

1

Original post

by smalll_chihuahua

Hello
I want advice on remarking for my IGCSE Edexcel french paper (4FR1)
Im normally good at french, usually band 9 level. However due to some reason, I ended up with a band 8 on results day, 4 marks away from the band 9 boundary. I want to appeal for a remark to get a band 9, especially because my school offers free scholarships to those with all 9s (i got all 9s for my other subjects)
My marks for each component are as follows
Speaking : 32/40
Listening : 32/40
Reading & Writing : 63/80
Pls comment on any opinions on my probability to get a 9, and any advice. Realisitically is it possible to increase the marks by 4 (in areas such as speaking and writing such as essays where there is no fixated mark scheme) ??
Thanks

They shift the grade boundaries up. My son got 7 but with the same results in all the previous years he would have got a 8. No big deal, it's not core subject but the shift of boundaries created few problems this year.

GCSE Appeals, Remarks and Retakes 2025

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