Guide to exam remarking:
What students & parents need to know (2025)
If you receive GCSE or A-Level results in August 2025 that seem unexpectedly low, there is an official process to request a remark, known as a ‘review of marking.’
What is a review of marking?
A review of marking means a senior examiner will re-check an exam paper to ensure it was marked accurately, that all parts were marked, and marks were added up correctly. It’s not a re-mark from scratch, but a careful re-check by a single experienced examiner other than the original examiners.
When and how to request a review of marking
Students can’t apply directly; the request must go through your school or college. Your school or college will request the PDF script of one or more papers from the relevant exam board, which is done for free. They will help decide whether a remark is appropriate and ensure the student signs consent, since grades can go up, stay the same, or go down.
Priority A-Level reviews (for university place decisions) must usually be submitted by late August.
Standard GCSE and A-Level reviews typically have a deadline in late September.
Costs and refunds
Fees are charged per paper (usually £44–£70 depending on the exam board), but are refunded if the grade goes up.
What are the chances of a grade change?
According to Ofqual, in 2024, about 1 in 5 review requests resulted in a higher grade. Success rates vary by subject. For example, Economics and English Literature often see more grade changes, while Maths and Sciences have fewer.
Most changes are small (1–2 marks), but can make a big difference near grade boundaries. Less than 0.1% of grades are lowered, but this is still possible.
Using Examiner AI to inform your decision
Once you have access to a copy of your marked script, Examiner AI can help highlight possible marking errors, missed marks, or inconsistencies, giving you further evidence of whether a remark might be worthwhile.
Examiner AI is a useful tool to spot issues that might not be obvious at first glance. However, Examiner AI is not a substitute for expert judgement. Always discuss the output with your teachers or exams officer before making a final decision.
Disclaimer: Examiner AI is an assistive tool. Its findings are not a guarantee of success and should not be relied upon in isolation when deciding to request a remark.
What happens next?
You’ll usually get the result of the review within 15–20 days. If you're still unhappy, there’s an option to appeal further through the school.
Final tip
Not sure whether to request a remark? Speak to a teacher or exams officer, especially if the grade was close to what was expected or could affect your next steps. Then, once you have your returned script or scripts, use Examiner AI to provide further analysis of your answers.