Official Statistics

Reviews of marking and moderation for GCSE, AS and A levels: summer 2023 exam series

Published 14 December 2023

Applies to England

Introduction

This report presents data on requests for reviews of marking, reviews of moderation and administrative error reviews made to exam boards for GCSE, AS and A level qualifications for the summer 2023 exam series in England (referred to as the June series in the main body of the report). These were formerly known as enquiries about results and, throughout this release, they are referred to collectively as ‘reviews’.

In this report, reviews in summer 2023 are primarily compared with summer 2022, but comparisons with 2019 are also made. Summer 2022 saw the return of exams and other formal assessments after their cancellation due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in summer 2020 and summer 2021, when there were no reviews. In summer 2022, exams and other formal assessments went ahead with some planned adaptations intended to recognise the disruption to education caused by the pandemic and grading was at a midpoint between summer 2021 and 2019. In 2022 the usual post-results services including reviews were available. In summer 2023 assessment arrangements largely returned to normal and results were broadly similar to summer 2019, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic grading. Given the changes to assessment and grading arrangements in recent years, any comparisons should be treated with caution.

A qualification generally comprises a number of assessments (components). Reviews are submitted for each assessment (exam or non-exam assessment) individually. Reviews can be submitted for more than one assessment for the same qualification. In some cases, multiple reviews are requested for the same assessment (for example an administrative error review may be requested and then a review of marking). Therefore, the total number of requests for reviews of marking and administrative error reviews tends to be higher than the total number of qualification grades challenged. This is not the case for reviews of moderation, as one review usually involves multiple students. The vast majority of reviews requested are reviews of marking and so, overall, the number of grades challenged is lower than the number of reviews requested.

Each exam board offers 3 review services for exam papers and non-exam assessment:

  • an administrative error review for an individual assessment (‘Service 1’)

  • a review of marking for an individual assessment (‘Service 2’ priority and non-priority). This service also includes an administrative error review

  • a review of moderation of the school or college’s internal assessment using the sample of students’ work that was used in the initial moderation (‘Service 3’)

Please note that a small number of reviews were still outstanding at the point data was submitted by awarding organisations (14 November 2023). These are included in figures where possible (for example, in the number of reviews requested and grades challenged). They are not, however, included in figures pertaining to grade or mark changes as the resulting mark or grade is not yet known.

AS and A level reviews are presented together in this report, but caution should be taken in making comparisons across time as the number of AS entries has declined considerably compared to earlier years. Further information is provided in the background notes accompanying this report.

Subjects are grouped using the subject groupings established by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

Key headlines

  1. In June 2023, 413,525 reviews were requested for GCSE (an increase of 23.4% from June 2022, but a decrease of 8.5% from June 2019), 94,065 reviews were requested for A level (an increase of 33.7% from June 2022, but a decrease of 8.7% from June 2019) and 2,630 reviews were requested for AS qualifications (an increase of 28.6% from June 2022, but a decrease of 44.9% from June 2019).

  2. In June 2023, 63.2% of reviewed component-level marks for GCSE were not changed (compared to 65.1% in June 2022) and 54.4% of reviewed component-level marks for AS and A level were not changed (compared to 52.5% in June 2022).

  3. Of all GCSE grades awarded in June 2023 (5,315,565), 4.6% were challenged and 1.0% were changed (compared to 3.8% challenged and 0.9% changed in June 2022). Of all AS and A level grades awarded in June 2023 (855,700), 6.7% were challenged and 1.5% were changed (compared to 5.0% challenged and 1.2% changed in June 2022).

  4. Of the 245,920 GCSE grades challenged in June 2023, 53,615 (21.8%) were changed, compared to June 2022 where 193,100 GCSE grades were challenged and 43,560 (22.6%) were changed.

  5. Of the 57,350 AS and A level grades challenged in June 2023, 12,590 (22.0%) were changed, compared to June 2022 where 41,955 AS and A level grades were challenged and 10,240 (24.4%) were changed.

  6. In June 2023, the grades most commonly challenged were: Grade B for AS and A level (35.2%), grade 3 for GCSE (22.7%) and grade 4-3 for GCSE combined science (16.1%).

Number of reviews, qualification grades challenged and changed by service type

GCSE

For GCSE, 413,525 reviews were requested in in June 2023, an increase of 23.4% from June 2022 (335,075 reviews). There was a 3.8% increase in GCSEs awarded (from 5,120,790 in June 2022 to 5,315,565 in June 2023). When compared with June 2019, there was a decrease of 8.5% in the total number of reviews requested for GCSE, from 451,830 in June 2019 to 413,525 in June 2023. Since 2019, there has been a 2.2% increase in GCSE grades awarded (from 5,199,335 in 2019 to 5,315,565 in June 2023).

Table 1 and the accompanying chart show the number of GCSE reviews requested, grades challenged and grades changed by service type. Please note that in June 2023 1,280 grades were challenged and 330 grades were changed as a result of review requests for multiple service types. To avoid these being counted more than once, these data are not included in the charts. The figures for grades that were challenged and changed through multiple service types are reported in the accompanying data tables.

Table 1: Number of reviews, qualification grades challenged and changed by service type for GCSE

Type of review Reviews requested, grades challenged and grades changed June 2018 June 2019 June 2022 June 2023
Administrative error reviews Reviews requested 1,965 1,930 4,345 3,785
Administrative error reviews Grades challenged 795 735 1,615 1,245
Administrative error reviews Grades changed 40 30 50 60
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Reviews requested 436,795 446,315 328,935 407,145
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades challenged 245,590 251,385 176,110 227,385
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades changed 49,920 52,070 40,770 50,680
Reviews of marking (priority) Reviews requested 2,125 2,330 1,320 1,920
Reviews of marking (priority) Grades challenged 1,065 1,090 670 910
Reviews of marking (priority) Grades changed 210 285 210 265
Reviews of moderation Reviews requested 1,660 1,260 475 675
Reviews of moderation Grades challenged 34,655 25,270 13,970 15,100
Reviews of moderation Grades changed 6,490 3,830 2,295 2,280

Note: The number of grades challenged and changed through reviews of moderation is higher than the number of reviews requested because one review usually involves multiple students. In June 2020 and June 2021, exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and, as a result, there were no reviews. See background information for more details.

Underlying figures are reported in Tables 2 to 5 in the accompanying data tables.

AS and A level

For A level, 94,065 reviews were requested in June 2023, an increase of 33.7% from June 2022 (70,330 reviews). There was a 1.6% increase in A level grades awarded (from 782,540 in June 2022 to 795,135 in June 2023). When compared with June 2019, there was a decrease of 8.7% in the total number of reviews requested for A level, from 103,010 in June 2019 to 94,065 in June 2023. Since 2019, there has been a 6.1% increase in A level grades awarded (from 749,285 in 2019 to 795,135 in June 2023).

For AS qualifications, 2,630 reviews were requested in June 2023, an increase of 28.6% from June 2022 (2,045 reviews). There was a 5.9% decrease in AS grades awarded this year (from 64,345 in June 2022 to 60,560 in June 2023). When compared with June 2019, there was a decrease of 44.9% in in the total number of reviews requested for AS qualifications, from 4,780 in June 2019 to 2,630 in June 2023. Since 2019, there has been a 49.7% decrease in AS grades awarded (from 120,520 in 2019 to 60,560 in June 2023).

Table 2 and the accompanying chart show the number of AS and A level reviews requested, grades challenged, and grades changed by service type. Please note that in June 2023 2,370 grades were challenged and 515 grades were changed as a result of review requests for multiple service types. To avoid these being counted more than once, these data are not included in the charts.The figures for grades that were challenged and changed through multiple service types are reported the accompanying data tables.

Table 2: Number of reviews, qualification grades challenged and changed by service type for AS and A level

Type of review Reviews requested, grades challenged and grades changed June 2018 June 2019 June 2022 June 2023
Administrative error reviews Reviews requested 370 420 910 1,140
Administrative error reviews Grades challenged 180 180 355 365
Administrative error reviews Grades changed 15 5 25 20
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Reviews requested 59,140 69,925 47,885 64,785
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades challenged 33,160 36,835 24,190 32,915
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades changed 7,345 8,150 6,570 8,160
Reviews of marking (priority) Reviews requested 28,445 36,545 23,085 30,055
Reviews of marking (priority) Grades challenged 13,915 17,110 10,075 13,315
Reviews of marking (priority) Grades changed 3,225 3,970 2,895 3,490
Reviews of moderation Reviews requested 1,105 900 495 720
Reviews of moderation Grades challenged 8,425 7,140 5,955 8,385
Reviews of moderation Grades changed 1,105 405 415 405

Note: The number of grades challenged and changed through reviews of moderation is higher than the number of reviews requested because one review usually involves multiple students. In June 2020 and June 2021, exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and, as a result, there were no reviews. See background information for more details. The reduction in the number of reviews of moderation requested in recent years is potentially due to the change to reformed qualifications which have fewer non-exam assessments and therefore fewer moderated components.

Underlying figures are reported in Tables 2 to 6 in the accompanying data tables.

Grades challenged and changed by subject

GCSE

In June 2023, the percentage of GCSE qualification grades that were changed following reviews varied by subject between 0.4% and 3.4%.

Of the 31 subjects offered for GCSE in England, in June 2023, nearly all subjects saw an increase in the percentage of grades challenged compared to June 2022. The exception were art and design subjects which decreased. The percentage of grades changed (of all grades awarded) decreased in 5 subjects (art and design subjects, English language, history, performing and expressive arts and other sciences), remained the same for 1 subject (other modern languages), and increased for all other subjects compared to June 2022.

When compared to June 2019, the percentage of grades challenged in June 2023 saw a decrease in 26 of the 31 GCSE subjects and the percentage of grades changed in June 2023 saw a decrease in 19 subjects and stayed the same in 4 subjects.

Underlying figures are reported in Table 7 in the accompanying data tables.

AS and A level

In June 2023, the percentage of AS and A level qualification grades that were changed following reviews varied by subject between 0.7% and 3.3%.

Of the 32 subjects offered for AS and A level in England in June 2023, nearly all subjects saw an increase in the percentage of grades challenged compared to June 2022. The exception was media, film and tv studies, which remained the same. The percentage of grades changed (of all grades awarded) decreased in 2 subjects (art and design subjects and performing and expressive arts), remained the same for 2 subjects (chemistry and English literature), and increased for all other subjects compared to June 2022.

When compared to June 2019, the percentage of grades challenged in June 2023 saw a decrease in 21 of the 32 AS and A level subjects and the percentage of grades changed in June 2023 saw a decrease in 16 subjects and remained the same in 5 subjects.

Underlying figures are reported in Table 8 in the accompanying data tables.

Original qualification grades challenged

For GCSE, the most commonly challenged grade was a 3 (50,320 or 22.7% of all grades challenged). This is likely a reflection of the importance of attaining a grade 4 or above.

GCSE combined science has a 17-point grading scale from 9-9 to 1-1. The most commonly challenged grade was 4-3 (1,960 or 16.1% of all grades challenged), likely reflecting the importance of grade 4-4.

For AS and A level, the most commonly challenged grade was B (20,190 or 35.2% of all grades challenged).

Underlying figures are reported in Table 9 in the accompanying data tables.

Raw mark changes following reviews

Raw mark changes described in this section relate to the difference in a candidate’s mark in a single component (or subcomponent) before and after review.

GCSE

For GCSE, the majority of reviewed component-level marks were not changed (63.2%). Of the reviewed component-level marks, 16.6% had a mark increase or decrease of 1 mark.Only 3.0% of the reviewed component-level marks had a mark increase of 5 marks or more and only 1.9% had a mark decrease of 5 marks or more. Of the component-level marks that were changed after review, 63.6% were for an increase in marks.

To note, for June 2023 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.1% of GCSE component-level marks for which a review was requested had raw mark changes still to be determined.

Table 3: Distribution of raw mark changes for GCSEs following reviews

Magnitude of mark change Number of marks June 2022 Percentage of marks June 2022 Number of marks June 2023 Percentage of marks June 2023
5 or more 10,285 2.9 13,085 3.0
4 5,735 1.6 7,930 1.8
3 10,625 3.0 13,045 3.0
2 18,465 5.3 23,405 5.4
1 32,790 9.4 42,885 10.0
0 226,305 64.8 271,630 63.2
-1 20,830 6.0 28,455 6.6
-2 9,760 2.8 12,475 2.9
-3 4,305 1.2 5,650 1.3
-4 2,070 0.6 2,930 0.7
-5 or more 6,470 1.9 7,990 1.9

AS and A level

for AS and A level, the majority of reviewed component-level marks were not changed (54.4%). Of the reviewed component-level marks, 17.2% had a mark increase or decrease of 1 mark. Only 5.2% of the reviewed component-level marks had a mark increase of 5 marks or more and only 3.8% had a mark decrease of 5 marks or more. Of the component-level marks that were changed after review, 61.1% were for an increase in marks.

To note, for June 2023 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.1% of AS and A level component-level marks for which a review was requested had raw mark changes still to be determined.

Table 4: Distribution of raw mark changes for AS and A levels following reviews

Magnitude of mark change Number of marks June 2022 Percentage of marks June 2022 Number of marks June 2023 Percentage of marks June 2023
5 or more 4,330 5.5 5,500 5.2
4 2,090 2.7 2,570 2.4
3 3,195 4.1 4,155 3.9
2 5,040 6.4 6,745 6.4
1 8,230 10.5 10,550 9.9
0 41,115 52.3 57,675 54.3
-1 6,140 7.8 7,680 7.2
-2 2,980 3.8 3,875 3.7
-3 1,415 1.8 1,920 1.8
-4 885 1.1 1,270 1.2
-5 or more 2,950 3.8 4,035 3.8

Average absolute raw mark change

As described in the previous section, raw mark changes relate to the difference in a candidate’s mark in a single component before and after review. The absolute mark change is the mark change expressed as a positive value and the average is calculated using all absolute mark changes, including mark changes of zero.

GCSE

Table 5 shows the average absolute raw mark change for the 10 GCSE subjects with the highest number of grades challenged. The average absolute mark change for the 10 GCSE subjects with the highest number of grades challenged in June 2023 did not exceed 1.2 marks.

Table 5: Average absolute raw mark change for the 10 GCSE subjects with the highest number of grades challenged

Subject June 2022 June 2023
English language 0.9 0.6
English literature 0.5 1.0
Science: double award 0.6 0.6
Mathematics 0.6 0.6
History 0.7 0.5
Geography 0.9 1.2
Biology 1.2 1.2
Physics 1.2 1.2
Religious studies 1.2 1.0
Chemistry 1.2 1.0

AS and A level

Table 6 shows the average absolute raw mark change for the 10 AS and A level subjects with the highest number of grades challenged. The average absolute mark change for the 10 AS and A level subjects with the highest number of grades challenged in June 2023 did not exceed 3.5 marks.

Table 6: Average absolute raw mark change for the 10 AS and A level subjects with the highest number of grades challenged

Subject June 2022 June 2023
History 1.5 1.3
Biology 1.0 1.0
Psychology 1.5 1.2
Mathematics 0.9 0.9
English literature 1.8 1.5
Economics 1.4 1.6
Art and design subjects 4.2 3.5
Chemistry 1.0 0.9
Geography 2.1 1.4
Business studies 1.6 1.5

Grades changed following reviews

GCSE

Following review, the majority of challenged GCSE grades were not changed (78.1%), 21.7% of challenged grades were changed up and only 0.1% of challenged grades were changed down.

When grades were changed for GCSE, they were most commonly changed by 1 grade (98.5% of grades changed). In June 2023, only 0.3% of all grades challenged resulted in a grade change of 2 grades or more (0.5% in June 2022).

To note, for June 2023 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.1% of GCSE grades challenged had final grade changes still to be determined.

Table 7: Magnitude of grade changes made following review for GCSE

Magnitude of grade change Number of grades June 2022 Percentage of grades June 2022 Number of grades June 2023 Percentage of grades June 2023
No grade change 147,990 76.6 191,960 78.1
Grade change of 1 42,600 22.1 52,820 21.5
Grade change of 2 or more 960 0.5 795 0.3

Underlying figures are reported in Table 12 in the accompanying data tables.

AS and A level

Following review, the majority of challenged AS and A level grades were not changed (77.8%), 21.9% of challenged grades were changed up and only 0.1% of challenged grades were changed down.

When grades were changed for AS and A level, they were most commonly changed by 1 grade (99.6% of grades changed). In June 2023, only 0.1% of all grades challenged resulted in a grade change of 2 grades or more (0.3% in June 2022).

To note, for June 2023 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.3% of AS and A level grades challenged had final grade changes still to be determined.

Table 8: Magnitude of grade changes made following review for AS and A level

Magnitude of grade change Number of grades June 2022 Percentage of grades June 2022 Number of grades June 2023 Percentage of grades June 2023
No grade change 31,495 75.1 44,590 77.8
Grade change of 1 10,130 24.1 12,540 21.9
Grade change of 2 or more 110 0.3 55 0.1

Underlying figures are reported in Table 12 in the accompanying data tables.

Grade changes of 2 or more grades by subject

Table 9 shows the number of grade changes of 2 or more grades by subject in June 2023.

For GCSE, there were 795 changes of 2 or more grades which accounts for 1.5% of all GCSE grades changed in June 2023. English literature and English language (two subjects with some of the largest entry numbers) accounted for the highest number of changes of 2 or more grades.

For AS and A level, there were 55 changes of 2 or more grades which accounts for 0.4% of all AS and A level grades changed in June 2023. English literature and art and design subjects accounted for the highest number of changes of 2 or more grades.

Table 9: Number of grade changes of 2 or more grades following reviews by subject for GCSE, AS and A level

Subject GCSE AS and A level Total
English literature 300 20 320
English language 210 0 210
Art and design subjects 110 15 125
Science: double award 60 0 60
Religious studies 35 0 35
Design and technology 20 Fewer than 5 20
Business studies 10 Fewer than 5 15
Drama 10 Fewer than 5 10
History 10 Fewer than 5 10
Spanish 5 0 5
All other subjects 25 10 40
Total 795 55 850

Components with the highest proportion of reviews of marking

GCSE

Table 10 and the accompanying chart show the 10 GCSE components with the highest proportion of reviews of marking (‘service 2’) relative to the number of entries in June 2023. Please note, only components with over 1,000 entries were included for analysis.

Table 10: The 10 GCSE components with the highest proportion of reviews of marking relative to the number of entries in June 2023

Title Number of reviews Percentage of total entry reviewed Number of reviews resulting in a mark change Percentage of reviews resulting in a mark change Percentage of total entry with reviews resulting in a mark change
OCR J351 02 English language 840 9.9 290 34.3 3.4
OCR J351 01 English language 815 9.6 230 28.3 2.7
OCR J199 21 Classical civilisation 170 8.0 85 51.8 4.1
OCR J199 22 Classical civilisation 120 7.9 80 65.0 5.1
OCR J199 11 Classical civilisation 295 7.8 185 62.6 4.9
WJEC C550U10 Physical education component 1 95 7.8 55 58.8 4.6
AQA 8700/1 English language paper 1 37,155 6.5 6,000 16.1 1.0
AQA 8136/2 Economics paper 2 180 6.3 130 72.1 4.5
AQA 8700/2 English language paper 2 35,410 6.2 3,245 9.2 0.6
Pearson 1MU0/03 Music 640 6.1 410 64.4 3.9

AS and A level

Table 11 and the accompanying chart show the 10 AS and A level components with the highest proportion of reviews of marking (‘service 2’) relative to the number of entries in June 2023. Please note, only components with over 1,000 entries were included for analysis.

Table 11: The 10 AS and A level components with the highest proportion of reviews of marking relative to the number of entries in June 2023

Title Number of reviews Percentage of total entry reviewed Number of reviews resulting in a mark change Percentage of reviews resulting in a mark change Percentage of total entry with reviews resulting in a mark change
WJEC A690U30 Drama and theatre component 3 210 12.0 65 29.7 3.6
AQA 7262/W Drama and theatre adv written 305 10.9 80 26.9 2.9
AQA 7042/1J History adv paper 1 option j 215 10.1 75 34.6 3.5
Pearson 9MU0/03 Music 130 9.1 80 61.5 5.6
AQA 7042/1H History adv paper 1 option h 325 8.9 70 21.7 1.9
WJEC A660U20 Music component 2 option a 90 8.7 20 23.6 2.1
OCR H472 01 English literature 735 8.5 175 23.6 2.0
AQA 7172/1 Philosophy adv paper 1 315 8.2 175 55.2 4.5
AQA 7717/1A English literature b adv paper 1a 455 8.1 50 10.5 0.8
OCR H472 02 English literature 700 8.1 235 33.7 2.7

Average response times

In this section, the average time taken in days to respond to reviews is presented for reviews of marking (priority and non-priority) and administrative error reviews. The exam boards collectively decide their own deadlines for completing reviews and reporting the outcome, outlined in the Joint Council for Qualifications guidelines. These are:

  • 10 days for an administrative error review

  • 20 days for a review of marking (non-priority) review

  • 15 days for a review of marking (priority) review

In June 2023, 99.8% of GCSE reviews and 99.9% of AS and A level reviews were completed within the deadlines.

Table 12: Average time taken to complete review in days

Type of review GCSE, June 2022 GCSE, June 2023 AS and A level, June 2022 AS and A level, June 2023
Administrative error reviews 3.8 2 3.7 1.3
Reviews of marking (non-priority) 9.2 9 7 6.3
Reviews of marking (priority) 1.7 2.3 7 4.5

Contextual information

This report presents data on requests for reviews of marking, reviews of moderation and administrative error reviews made to exam boards for GCSE, AS and A level qualifications for the summer 2023 exam series in England.

Further information is provided in the background notes accompanying this report.

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Head of profession: Nadir Zanini