Special consideration and Enquiries About Results

Tuesday, 09 August 2011 09:46

The exams system has robust and established procedures in place to ensure fair treatment for candidates who, for any reason, feel their performance was affected or that their results are not accurate. Candidates are advised to speak to their centres for advice and guidance.

Centres can request special consideration for candidates who were absent from an examination or disadvantaged as a result of a temporary illness, injury, indisposition or other misfortune.

Special consideration allows for relatively minor adjustment to a candidate's mark, of up to five per cent of the maximum mark for the question paper. Special consideration requests must be made by centres within seven days of the last examination in the series for each subject.

When results are received, candidates who suspect their results are incorrect should speak to their centre about asking for an Enquiry About Results (EAR).

There are three levels of EAR. A Service 1 EAR is a clerical check to ensure that each question has been marked and all of the marks have been totalled correctly.

A Service 2 EAR is a review of the original marking by a senior examiner and includes a clerical check. If a place at university depends on the outcome of an A level review, this will be dealt with to strict deadlines as a Priority Service 2.

A Service 3 EAR is a review of the original moderation of internal assessment to make sure that any adjustments made by the moderator were fair and appropriate.

If the candidate or centre is not satisfied with the outcome of the EAR, there is an appeals process. An appeal must be submitted to the awarding organisation within 14 calendar days of the centre receiving the outcome of the EAR. The appeals process has two stages.

Stage one is a review of the case by a member of the awarding organisation staff who has had no previous involvement in the case.

Should a Stage 2 appeal be necessary, this will be heard by an appeal panel that will include at least one independent member. A Stage 2 appeal must be submitted within 14 calendar days of notification to the school or college of the outcome of Stage 1.

If the candidate is still dissatisfied, it might be possible for their centre to proceed to the final stage of the appeals process and make an application to appeal to the independent Examinations Appeals Board (EAB). The EAB hears appeals on procedural grounds, making sure an awarding organisation has followed its procedures correctly. The EAB's decision on whether to accept an appeal application is final. Any appeal to the EAB must be made by the centre within three weeks of the reporting of the outcome of the stage 2 appeal. Ofqual is currently considering responses to a consultation on the future of the EAB.

Key dates for EARs in 2011

If a university place depends on the outcome of an A level review of marking, the school or college must submit a request for a Priority Service 2 EAR by August 26. A request for an EAR must be submitted by the centre to the awarding organisation by 20 September.

Appeals against the outcome of an EAR must be submitted to the awarding organisation with 14 calendar days of the school or college receiving the outcome.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 August 2011 09:54 Tags: Ofqual, education, examination regulation, qualifications, assessments