The number of GCSE grades changed after results were appealed last year leapt by nearly three-quarters compared with 2019 when formal exams were last held, new data published today shows.
Figures published by Ofqual this morning reveal there were 470 appeals that led to at least one GCSE grade change in 2021-22, a 71 per cent increase from the 275 recorded in 2018-19.
The rise comes despite an Ofqual crackdown on marking changes, designed to reduce the number of grades changed after appeals came into force for new A levels and new maths and English GCSEs in 2018 and for all other subjects from 2019.
The number of appeals leading to at least one grade change in AS and A levels also saw an increase of 17 per cent, with 175 appeals in 2021-22 compared with 150 in 2018-19.
Exams returned in 2022 with mitigations put in place to help students who had their learning disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, including advance information topics and exam aids, such as formulae and equation sheets.
Despite the number of appeals made leading to grade changes, just 2,460 (0.04 per cent) of the 6.1 million grades for GCSEs, AS and A levels were challenged in 2022, a drop by nearly a quarter (23 per cent) since 2019 when 3,205 grades were challenged.
Overall, Ofqual recorded a 17 per cent increase in the number of grades changed at GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2022 since 2019.
Ofqual figures show that the most common reason for a GCSE grade appeal in 2022 was “review of marking - marking error”, for which 575 appeals were received.
The second most common reason was malpractice with 315 appeals lodged.
There were also 175 appeals made for reasonable adjustment or special consideration.
For AS and A levels, Ofqual’s figures show that the most common reason for an appeal was also “review of marking - marking error”, for which 315 appeals were received.
The second most common reason for appeal at AS and A level was also malpractice with 70 appeals recorded.
The data shows there were just 55 appeals made for reasonable adjustment or special consideration.
The total number of appeals received for GCSE, AS and A level was 1,545 in 2021-22, a 23 per cent rise on the 1,254 recorded in 2018-19.
However, Ofqual adapted the appeals process last year so that fewer appeals would have to be submitted per subject, meaning that a straightforward comparison of the total number of appeals between this year and 2019 cannot be made.
Ofqual has announced a return to pre-pandemic grading in 2023, but with “some protection against any impact of Covid disruption”.
