GCSE grade reviews and appeals in England: what students can do

By GlobeBids Education Desk
Updated 22 August 2026

Students in England who are concerned about a GCSE grade should contact their school or college promptly. The centre can discuss the result and ask the exam board to review the marking where appropriate. Private candidates may contact the relevant exam board directly.

A disappointing result does not necessarily mean a marking error occurred. Before proceeding, check the applicable deadline, possible fee and potential effect on any sixth-form, college or apprenticeship offer.

Useful details before requesting a review

• The school or college normally submits the request to the exam board.
• The student’s consent is required because the grade can rise, fall or remain unchanged.
• Deadlines and fees vary by exam board and service requested.
• A copy of the marked script may help teachers assess whether a review is appropriate.

A review checks whether the marking was applied correctly

A review of marking is not simply a request for another examiner to award a preferred grade. The exam board checks whether the mark scheme was applied correctly and whether any marking errors were made.

Start by asking the school’s exams officer or relevant subject teacher about the available post-results services. They can explain whether the mark is close to a grade boundary, request access to the script where available and discuss whether a review has a reasonable basis.

Private candidates should identify the exam board shown on their paperwork and ask it about the correct process. If they entered through an examination centre, that centre may still need to handle the request.

A formal appeal usually follows the review stage

An appeal is different from a review of marking. It generally takes place after the review process and considers whether the exam board followed its procedures correctly or reached a reasonable decision under those procedures.

Students should first raise the issue with their school or college. The centre can explain whether there are grounds for an appeal and submit it where the rules permit. An appeal should not be treated as an automatic second attempt to improve a grade.

Check the exam board’s deadline and fee immediately

There is no single deadline or fee that safely applies to every GCSE review or appeal. Arrangements can differ between exam boards, services and examination centres, while schools may set earlier internal deadlines so they have time to submit requests.

Ask the school or college to confirm:

• the internal and exam-board deadlines;
• whether a fee applies and who pays it;
• which consent form is required;
• when the reviewed result is expected;
• how to obtain the marked script.

Tell an education provider if an offer depends on the grade

If the questioned result affects entry to a sixth form, college course or apprenticeship, contact the provider promptly. Explain that a review is being considered or has been submitted, and ask whether it can hold the place or consider other evidence.

If the grade changes, send the revised result to the provider without delay. A changed grade may affect an offer, but each provider decides how it applies its admissions requirements.

Follow the official post-results route

GOV.UK guidance on appealing an exam result explains who should be contacted and how reviews and appeals differ. Ofqual and GOV.UK post-results guidance also outlines education and training options after results.

The most useful next step is to contact the school’s exams officer and confirm the relevant exam board, service, deadline, consent requirement and cost before making a decision.

Source: GOV.UK