GCSE Remarks?

silvercar

What is it with exam remarking? It seems that any exam where your mark shows that you were near the next grade up should be remarked. At a cost that is refunded if the grade changes.

I don't know if this is money grabbing by the exam boards (ie mark shoddily, know that a small percentage will be wrong and rake it in on remark fees) or pampering to parents (so, so disappointed with little darlings result; do, do get it remarked to see if he can get the * he so deserves). I can understand remarking for A levels where a uni place may depend on the result, but for GCSEs???

There is definitely a pressure to apply for a remark where your child has not done as well as predicted but it does seem an expense that is in some way unnecessary.

Its almost a lottery, pay £40, odds about 5:1 for a grade increase and your money back.

ontheroad_2

I only discovered about this re-marking today, when I was speaking to a colleague who's daughter is heading off to uni. I'm really surprised all parents aren't up in arms about this - surely there just shouldn't be that many mistakes being made regarding grading of exams?

Artytarty

It maters because uni make place offers based on AS results, Predicted A2 results AND performance at GCSE.
That piffling little * may not seem like much to you but it can make one L of a difference in these competitive times.

What about if the "little darling" is just off the minimum boundary necessary in a core subject needed to regain a place at school, in a subject they did not intend to continue?
Worth it then, I'd think.
What if your child had 9A*s and just missed out on a tenth?
Wouldn't you want to see if you could make it into a full strike for them?

GlasweJen

In Scotland they don't charge when kids appeal (well the SQA don't), do you really need to pay £40 to do it in England?

natsing

I had my English GCSE sent back for remarking, it wasn't at my parent's request but the school felt the grade was incorrect or that it was borderline and I should have got the higher grade; I didn't even know until it had come back and my solitary C had become a B, and I didn;t pay, it did help with Uni I think, though now 12 years on it makes little difference, but I believe it's good to have a remarking option for something like that which made me feel better about my achievements and allowed me to go on to A Level English. I can understand why it could be controversial, particularly if it's a regular occurance, but markers are as fallible as everyone else!

gratefulforhelp_2

I work in a school and for two examination boards. Schools can and do pay for a remark where they believe there is a possibility of an improved grade.

Only something like 10% of grades change, of the papers that are remarked.

Is this another form of teacher bashing? Often a remark when it leads to an increased grade is due to a different interpretation by an examiner of a small point - we're talking just a few marks.

Exam boards are rigorous in their training and monitoring of staff. As well as teaching experience and a degree together with a postgraduate qualification, we have to pass a test just to start marking. We then have to pass tests periodically through the marking process as well as having our work monitored.

Very few(if any) mistakes are down to adding up errors as very much of the marking is now done online and the computer program does it for you.

Oldernotwiser

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

I work in a school and for two examination boards. Schools can and do pay for a remark where they believe there is a possibility of an improved grade.

Only something like 10% of grades change, of the papers that are remarked.

Is this another form of teacher bashing? Often a remark when it leads to an increased grade is due to a different interpretation by an examiner of a small point - we're talking just a few marks.

Exam boards are rigorous in their training and monitoring of staff. As well as teaching experience and a degree together with a postgraduate qualification, we have to pass a test just to start marking. We then have to pass tests periodically through the marking process as well as having our work monitored.

Very few(if any) mistakes are down to adding up errors as very much of the marking is now done online and the computer program does it for you.

I used to be a college lecturer so certainly not a teacher basher but you're overstating the case. There are exam boards that don't require markers to be qualified teachers and many markers get through papers very rapidly indeed.

silvercar

I'm not blaming anyone in particular, but clearly schools and parents think that a remark is often worth requesting, so clearly some papers are being regraded. That suggests they were marked incorrectly in the first place.

Whether this is because markers are not allocated sufficient time for each paper or they are being careless with their work doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that, unless you are prepared to pay out, you don't get to find out if your child was badly treated.

Lunar_Eclipse

silvercar wrote: »

I can understand remarking for A levels where a uni place may depend on the result, but for GCSEs???

I can totally see where you're coming from, but with c.20% of GCSE's now being graded at A*, GCSE exam grades are important for university entry. The top tier universities have been forced to accept a full set of A*'s for the most competitive courses, so there will be children that sadly will no longer get on to their medicine/dentistry/vets course etc because of that one A or B grade at GCSE.

If I was in that situation, I think I would opt for a remark if the result was a major door closing.

gratefulforhelp_2

This is true, Lunar. I have a friend who was until recently admissions tutor for a decent university and for Science degrees the biggest indicator of degree class was actually GCSE Maths.

peachyprice

I didn't even know they did this.
My boys just get told to re-sit if their marks are unexpectedly low. That only costs £10.