A Level Remarks: Everything You Need to Know

Receiving your A Level results can be a stressful moment, especially if they’re not what you were expecting. This can feel even more important if your grades affect your university place or future plans.

If your results are lower than expected, you might be thinking about requesting a remark. Before making that decision, it’s important to understand how the whole process works, what the risks are, and whether it is likely to lead to a different outcome.

This guide explains how A Level remarks work, when they may be worth considering, and what you should expect if you decide to request one.

Key Takeaways

• An A Level “remark” is officially called a review of marking, where your exam paper is checked again by an examiner

• Remarks are most useful if you are close to a grade boundary or your result was unexpected

• Most reviews do not result in a grade change, and any changes are usually small

• Your grade can go up, stay the same, or go down after a review

What Is an A Level Remark?

An A Level remark, officially known as a review of marking, is when your exam paper is checked again after results day to confirm that the mark scheme was applied correctly.

During this process, a senior examiner reviews your script to check:

• That all parts of your answer were marked

• That marks were recorded and totalled correctly

• That the mark scheme was applied consistently

It is important to understand that this is not a full re-mark from scratch. Instead, it is a review of the original marking to make sure it was carried out accurately.

A Level remarks are part of what exam boards call post-results services, sometimes referred to as “enquiries about results”.

After the review, your mark may stay the same, go up, or go down. If the change moves you across a grade boundary, your overall grade will change as well.

When Should I Request an A Level Remark?

You Were Close to a Grade Boundary

One of the most common reasons to request a remark is being just a few marks below the next grade. In this situation, even a small increase could move you up a grade, which is when a remark is most likely to be worthwhile.

Your school can help you check how close you were to the next boundary.

Your Result Was Unexpected

If your result is significantly lower than expected based on your past performance, it may be worth looking into further.

For example:

• You were consistently achieving higher grades in mock exams

• Your teacher predicted a higher grade

• The result does not match how you felt the exam went

In some cases, this may indicate an issue with how the paper was marked, although this is not always the case.

Your University Place Depends on It

For A Level students, this is often the most important factor. If you have narrowly missed the conditions of your university offer, a remark may be worth considering, particularly if you were close to the required grade.

You should contact the university as soon as possible to let them know you are considering or requesting a review, as they may be able to hold your place while the outcome is pending.

There’s an Administrative Error

Sometimes the issue is not with how your answers were marked, but with how marks were recorded.

This could include:

• Marks being added up incorrectly

• A question not being marked

• Marks being entered incorrectly

In these cases, a clerical re-check may be more appropriate than a full review of marking.

How Do I Request an A Level Remark?

You cannot request a remark directly from the exam board. Instead, your school or exam centre must submit the request on your behalf.

The process usually involves:

• Speaking to your teacher or exams officer

• Reviewing your marks and how close you were to a grade boundary

• Deciding which type of service is most appropriate

• Confirming that you want to go ahead with the request

• Paying the required fee

You will need to give your consent before a remark is submitted, as your grade can go up, stay the same, or go down after the review.

If you are a private A Level candidate, you’ll need to contact the exam centre where you sat your exams.

What Are the Different Types of A Level Remarks?

Clerical Re-Check

A clerical re-check focuses on administrative accuracy rather than the marking itself.

This includes confirming:

• All pages were marked

• Marks were recorded and totalled correctly

Because this process does not involve reviewing how answers were marked, there is a very low chance of a mark change.

Review of Marking

This is the most common type of remark.

A senior examiner reviews your paper to check that the mark scheme was applied correctly and consistently. This also includes the checks carried out in a clerical re-check.

If an issue is identified, your marks may be adjusted.

Priority Review

Priority reviews are available for A Levels and are processed more quickly than standard reviews.

They are usually used when your university place depends on your result and you need a decision as soon as possible. Exam boards prioritise these requests to help ensure universities can confirm places in time.

How Much Does an A Level Remark Cost?

The cost of an A Level remark varies depending on the exam board and the type of service you choose.

As a guide, the latest published fees for 2025–2026 are:

All fees are charged per paper and may change slightly each year.

In most cases, the fee is refunded if your overall grade changes following the review.

Your school or exam centre can confirm the exact cost for your subject and exam board.

What Are the Deadlines for A Level Remarks?

Deadlines for A Level remarks are strict and vary slightly depending on the exam board.

• Priority reviews usually need to be submitted very soon after results day, often within a few days, especially if your university place depends on the outcome

• Standard reviews of marking are typically available for several weeks after results day, with final deadlines usually falling in early to mid-September

Because of this, it is important to:

• Act quickly after receiving your results

• Speak to your school or exams officer as soon as possible

• Check the exact deadlines for your exam board

Can My Grade Go Down After a Remark?

Yes, your grade can go down.

During the review, the examiner checks whether the mark scheme was applied correctly. If the original mark was too high, it may be reduced.

Most reviews do not result in a change, but it is important to understand that marks can go down as well as up.

Before requesting a remark, you should consider:

• The risk of dropping a grade

• How close you are to the lower grade boundary

• Advice from your teacher or exams officer

How Long Does an A Level Remark Take?

The time it takes to receive the outcome of an A Level remark depends on the exam board and the type of service you request.

Priority reviews are processed more quickly than standard reviews so that universities can confirm places as soon as possible.

Because timings can vary slightly between exam boards, your school or exam centre can give you the most accurate estimate for your specific subject.

What Happens If I'm Still Not Happy After a Remark?

If you’re not satisfied with the outcome of a remark, you may be able to appeal, although appeals are only accepted in certain circumstances.

Appeals focus on whether the correct procedures were followed during the review, rather than re-marking the paper again.

This means you cannot appeal simply because you disagree with the result. Instead, the appeal looks at whether the process was carried out properly.

To find out how appeals work and how they differ from remarks, see our guide on how to appeal A Level results. If this is the right route for you, your school or exam centre can guide you through the process.

Is an A Level Remark Worth It?

In some situations, an A Level remark can be worth it, but it is important to be realistic. Most remarks do not result in a grade change, and when marks do change, the difference is usually small.

A remark is most likely to be worthwhile if:

• You are very close to a grade boundary

• Your university place depends on the result

• Your grade is significantly lower than expected

Before requesting a remark, you should also consider:

• The cost

• The time it may take

• The risk of your grade going down

It is also worth thinking about your next steps before deciding. Even if you have missed your original offer, you may still be able to secure a place through UCAS Clearing or another route. In some cases, students find they can move forward with their plans without needing a remark at all.

With so much on the line, it’s a tough decision. Your teachers or exams officer will have guided many students through these situations before, and they can help you to decide whether a remark is the right choice for you. Our guide to the next steps after your A Levels has further helpful advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Universities Accept My Results If I Request a Remark?

Yes. Universities understand that remarks are part of the results process.

If your place depends on your grades, you should contact the university as soon as possible and explain your situation. In some cases, they may hold your place while you wait for the outcome.

Can I Request a Remark for Coursework?

Yes. This is usually called a review of moderation, where the exam board checks whether your work was marked correctly by your school or centre.

Your school will be able to explain how this works for your subject.

Do All Exam Boards Have the Same Process?

No, there are some differences between exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.

For example, they may use slightly different terminology or offer different services. However, the overall process is similar across all boards, including clerical checks, reviews of marking, and strict deadlines.

Final Thoughts

Requesting an A Level remark can feel like a big decision, especially when your university place is involved. While it can sometimes lead to a higher grade, most reviews confirm the original result.

Before requesting a remark, it is worth calmly considering all your options and getting advice from your school. In many cases, you may still be able to move forward without needing a review at all.

To reduce the chances of needing a remark in the first place, make sure your revision is as effective as possible. Save My Exams can help. Our wide range of expert-created A Level resources to make your exam prep less stressful, including revision notes, flashcards, exam questions and tutorial videos, can help you feel confident and prepared for your exams.

References:

• AQA - Exams Administration Post-results services (opens in a new tab)

• Pearson qualifications | Post-results services (opens in a new tab)

• Pearson Qualifications | Reviews of Marking & Moderation Fees (opens in a new tab)

• OCR | Post-results (opens in a new tab)

• OCR | Reviews of marking (opens in a new tab)

• OCR | Post-results services fees November 2025-February 2026 series (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC Eduqas | Post-Results Services and Appeals (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC Eduqas | Guide to post-results services (opens in a new tab)

• WJEC Eduqas | Post-results service fees (opens in a new tab)