Didn't Get the Grade You Expected? Here's When a Remark Is Worth It
Every year, some students get their A Level results and feel a genuine sense of confusion. You know how the exam went. You walked out of that hall feeling confident. So how on earth did it come back as a grade lower than expected? If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. But before you go straight into panic mode or start assuming the worst, take a breath. There is a process. And sometimes, a remark is not just an option but the smartest move you can make.
This article is for students and parents trying to make sense of what to do next. If you are wondering whether to get a remark, whether your university place is at risk, or whether it is all worth the hassle, this guide is here to give you real answers without fluff.
What Is a Remark?
A remark, officially known as a Review of Marking, is a process where your exam paper is re-checked by a senior examiner. It is not a full re-mark from scratch. Instead, the examiner checks whether the original marking was carried out properly according to the mark scheme.
In A Level Economics and Maths, where responses can be subjective (in essays) or method-based (in structured Maths questions), this matters more than you think.
Why Do Papers Get Marked Incorrectly?
Let’s be honest. Exam boards handle thousands of papers in a short time. Examiners are under pressure. Human error is real. For example:
In Maths, method marks might be missed despite correct working being shown
In Economics, evaluative paragraphs might be under-credited
Some questions are marked by different examiners across a script, leading to inconsistency
Economics essays are particularly vulnerable to being marked conservatively, especially if your style is punchy or original. And Maths? Even one missed annotation can cost two or three marks. Mistakes happen.
What If I Missed My University Offer?
If your grade is lower than your university offer, but you believe it is not accurate, there is still a path forward. Many universities will hold your place temporarily if you tell them a priority remark has been requested.
The key is speed and communication. Submit your review request quickly through your school, and contact the university admissions team directly. Be polite, show initiative, and include your UCAS ID. Universities are human too, and many are willing to wait a few days if they believe the remark could push your grade up.
Step-by-Step: The Remark Process
Check your marks Ask your school or exam centre for the raw mark breakdown. See how close you are to the next grade boundary. If you are within 1 to 3 marks, a remark is often worth considering. Even at 4 to 5 marks off, especially in subjective papers like Economics, it can still be viable. If you are more than 8 marks away, your chances start to drop sharply.
Request the marked script (if time allows) You can request a scanned copy of your marked paper. This helps you or your tutor evaluate if anything looks off. In Maths, you can check for missed method marks. In Economics, you can check whether full credit was given for evaluation. This service is usually free, but it takes a few days. If university deadlines are pressing, skip to the next step.
Submit a Priority Remark (if university place is at risk) Priority reviews are faster. Your school must submit the request on your behalf. You will need to:
Notify the exams officer at your school
Pay the review fee (around 50 to 60 pounds depending on the board)
Submit before the exam board deadline (usually 5 to 6 days after results day)
Contact your university While waiting, email your chosen university. Let them know a priority remark has been submitted and that you are hopeful for a change. This is crucial. Some universities will hold your offer until the outcome.
Wait for the result Priority reviews take around 5 to 15 days. If your grade changes and you meet the original offer, UCAS updates automatically and your university will be notified.
Is There a Risk? Can Grades Go Down?
Yes. If you request a remark, your grade can go up, stay the same, or go down. The revised grade is final, even if it drops. That said, if you are sitting securely within the top of a grade band, the risk of it falling is low. Most schools will advise caution if you are near the bottom of a grade boundary.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost varies by board but is usually around 50 to 60 pounds per paper. If your grade does change, you often get a full refund. Payment is usually handled through the school.
What Are the Success Rates?
Official Ofqual data suggests that between 17 to 23 percent of A Level remark requests result in a grade increase. In subjects like Economics, where marking is more subjective, the success rate can be higher when the student was close to the boundary.
Maths papers can go up too, especially if method marks were missed or annotations were sloppy.
In my own tutoring practice, I have seen multiple cases where a remark led to a higher grade — including students who were just one mark off.
So, Is It Worth It?
If you were within a few marks of the next grade, especially in Economics or Maths, and you feel your performance was better than the result, a remark can absolutely be worth it. It is not about gambling. It is about correcting genuine discrepancies that happen more often than people realise.
If your university place is at stake, and you are close to the grade required, it makes even more sense. Just make sure you act quickly, stay in communication with your school and the university, and base your decision on real data.