How to Appeal A Level Results: Key Deadlines, Costs & Tips

If you’ve just opened your A Level results and they’re not what you were hoping for, don’t panic! You may have the option to appeal, and there’s plenty of support available to you. 

By understanding how to appeal your A Level results, you can take action to ensure your grades are accurate. This guide will walk you through the process, costs, timelines and what to consider if you're thinking about appealing your results. 

What is the A Level appeals process?

First thing’s first––take a deep breath, and then speak to a teacher or advisor in your sixth form or college. You’re not the first student – and you certainly won’t be the last – who has been disappointed with their results. Your teachers are prepared for this situation and are there to support you.

Your teacher or advisor will explain to you that the first thing they’ll need to do on your behalf is request your exam paper and a review of marking or moderation. This review isn’t necessarily considered an ‘appeal’, but is instead known as a ‘post-results service’. 

The exam paper itself won’t be remarked, but these services involve the following steps: 

• Accessing Exam Scripts: Your teachers can read through your marked exam paper and decide from here whether to request a review of marking/moderation. They’ll be able to see whether an error has potentially occurred in the calculation of the grade. 

• Requesting a Review of Marking/Moderation: A second examiner will review the original marking to make sure the mark scheme was applied properly and identify any mistakes. Clerical checks will also be carried out to make sure all marks were counted correctly. 

Some exam boards will split this initial stage of the appeals process into different types of service. 

For example, OCR refers to a clerical check of a marked paper as ‘service 1’. This involves making sure all the pages of the exam were marked, all the marks were counted, and the result matches the marks on the paper.

OCR describes a review of marking as ‘service 2’. This involves the clerical checks outlined in service 1 with the addition of making sure the agreed mark scheme has been applied correctly.

Essentially, no matter how the exam board labels these processes, the initial stage will always involve requesting your exam scripts and a review of marking/moderation. 

If the exam board agrees that there has been an error in marking or calculations, they will review your result and change your grade accordingly. However, if your grade doesn’t change, you may wish to proceed with the appeals process. 

What is the first stage of the appeal process?

If you’re still unhappy after the review, you can move to the official appeals process. This is split into two stages: the preliminary stage and the appeal hearing. 

You can appeal on the following grounds: 

• Reviews of results outcomes (i.e. you’re not satisfied with the outcome of the review of marking/moderation)

• Malpractice decisions (where a student, teacher or exam centre is found to have broken the rules set by the exam board during the assessment or examination process)

• Access arrangements or special consideration decisions (for example, if your application for special consideration was declined or you disagree with the level of adjustment made)

The preliminary stage involves an investigation carried out by a member of staff with no previous involvement in the case. For appeals made on the grounds of an unreasonable application of the mark scheme, the exam board will commission a review and report from a senior examiner. 

The exam board will aim to complete the investigation within six weeks of receiving your application. 

What is the second stage of the appeals process?

If you’d like to escalate things further following the outcome of the preliminary stage, your sixth form/college can help you with this. 

The second stage is an appeal hearing. This is a formal, official review heard by an appeal panel which will include one independent member. Their job is to take a fresh look at your case and decide if something went wrong during the marking or the way your grade was awarded.

The hearing can involve a virtual or face-to-face hearing, or a paper based consideration of the facts.

If you’re still not satisfied with the outcome after this stage of the appeals process, you can appeal directly to the following bodies: 

• Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) if you're in England

• WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) if you're in Wales

• CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) if you're in Northern Ireland

Is there a deadline for appealing A Levels?

Yes, you’ll have to submit your requests for post-results services and the official appeals process by specific deadlines.

• You must submit a review of marking request within a few weeks of results day (around mid-September).

• If you then escalate to a full appeal, you’ll need to do so shortly after the review decision (usually within around 30 days of receiving the decision, depending on the exam board). 

If your university place is dependent on your exam results, you can opt for the exam board’s priority post-results service. This is a fast-track service offered by exam boards for students who need their results quickly.

The following exam boards have already released the deadlines for their A Level post-results services. They are as follows: 

OCR and WJEC have not yet released their dates, but they are typically around the same time. 

How much does it cost to appeal A Level results?

A basic review of marking usually costs upwards of £50 per paper. If the review results in a grade change, you’ll often get your money refunded. For priority services, the cost for a review of marking is generally between £55-80.  

When it comes to the official appeals process (e.g. the preliminary stage and an appeal hearing), this becomes more costly. You can expect to pay between £120-£200 for stage 1 of the appeal, and £200+ for stage 2. 

However, costs can vary depending on the exam board, the stage of the appeal and whether you’ve opted for a priority service.

If your grade stays the same or goes down, you’ll likely have to cover the full cost. Always check with your school or the exam board for the most accurate fees.

How long does it take to appeal A Level results?

The appeal process isn’t instant. Here’s what you can generally expect:

• Priority appeals (for students with urgent university offers) usually take about 15–20 days.

• Non-priority appeals can take up to 6 weeks.

If you’re relying on an appeal to meet a university offer, be sure to flag it as a priority with your sixth form or college.

What is the A Level appeal success rate?

According to the latest data from Ofqual for the 2023–2024 academic year, the success rate for AS and A Level appeals in England was as follows:​

• Total A Level appeals received: 725

• Appeals upheld: 355 

• Appeals leading to at least one grade change: 230 

This means that approximately 31.7% of all AS and A Level appeals resulted in a grade change.​

However, even if the odds seem low, if you genuinely believe there’s been a mistake, it’s worth pursuing.  

Remember, success could mean moving up just one grade, which can make all the difference for university admissions.

How does appealing A Level results affect my university place?

This is likely one of your mains concern if you’ve applied for university and have a conditional offer. A lot hinges on your A Level results, so it’s understandable that you’ll be wondering how an appeal might affect your place at university. 

Thankfully, universities are well-versed in dealing with this situation. 

If your appeal could mean you meet the conditions of your offer, your university might hold your place while they wait for the outcome. That’s where the priority review service comes in: it’s designed to speed up the marking check for students whose university places depend on their results. 

You'll need to tell your chosen university that you're appealing, and they might ask for proof that you're using the priority service. Although universities aren’t required to keep your offer open indefinitely, many are flexible and will wait for your appeal decision. The key is to communicate early and often with both your school and the admissions team — it shows you’re serious and keeps your options open. 

If your appeal is unsuccessful or your chosen university cannot hold your place for you, you can always try applying for other institutions and/or courses via Clearing. Our guide to university Clearing walks you through this process. 

What support is available when appealing my A Levels?

We know how stressful this process can be for students, especially if your university place is riding on your results. Feeling like you’re in a state of limbo might leave you feeling emotionally drained and unsure what to do next. 

But there is plenty of support out there and resources available to students going through the appeals process. The main thing to remember is that you’re not alone, and that thousands of students have gone through the very same process. 

Your first port of call when it comes to advice and guidance should be your teachers and exam officers. They have lots of experience in dealing with appeals and can talk you through any concerns and questions you may have. 

You can also seek guidance from the following: 

• Exam boards: They have information and advice sections on their websites.

• UCAS: Their advisers can help if your university plans change during the process.

• Independent advice services like the National Careers Service can also be very helpful. They have a dedicated helpline and web chat that you can access. 

• Mental health support: Services like Young Minds and Mind can help if you’re feeling stressed, anxious and overwhelmed 

Alternatives to appealing A Levels

If appealing doesn’t seem right for you or your teachers have advised that it may not be worth pursuing, don’t worry—there are plenty of other options to explore.

Resit your A Level exams

One popular route is to resit your A Levels. You can usually take the exams the following summer, giving you plenty of time to prepare and boost your grades. Many students find that a year of focused study makes a huge difference. 

This is a great chance to reconsider your approach. If you struggled with revision this time around, Save My Exams’ A Level revision resources can help you to nail your exams. 

Consider other qualifications

You might consider alternative routes or qualifications, such as:

• Foundation years: Many universities offer a foundation year if you just miss the entry requirements

• Apprenticeships: If you’ve decided university is no longer for you, you might want to explore apprenticeships 

• Access to Higher Education Diplomas: These can be a pathway to university, especially for mature students or those changing career direction

Take a gap year

If you’re feeling unsure, a gap year could be a brilliant option. You can use this time to:

• Travel

• Volunteer

• Gain work experience

• Reapply to university with a stronger application

Sometimes, a year out can give you valuable perspective and new opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal coursework?

Yes, you can appeal the marking of coursework too. The process is similar: your school will request a review of the moderation from the exam board. 

However, this is a slightly more complex process. If you want to get your coursework remarked, the examining body has to re-moderate the whole of the school or college’s coursework. This means your sixth form or college needs to be certain that they want to pursue a remark, as it can affect a whole subject group. 

If you believe your coursework wasn’t marked fairly or according to the correct standards, speak to your teacher or exams officer.

Can my grade go down after an appeal?

Yes, it’s possible that your grade can be lower after an appeal. When you appeal, your paper is rechecked, and if a mistake is found that actually means your original grade was too high, your grade could be lowered. 

Always think carefully before submitting an appeal, and discuss the risks with a teacher or adviser.

Ace your A Levels with Save My Exams

Whether your A Level results are worth celebrating or you’re already thinking about how to improve next year, Save My Exams can help you. 

Join over 2 million students who trust Save My Exams and gain access to high quality, teacher-written revision resources. You’ll find everything from concise revision notes and exam-style questions to flashcards, each tailored to your specific exam board. This way, you can guarantee you’re only studying exactly what you need to know. 

Explore our A Level revision resources. 

References

A Level Results Day 2025: Key Dates & Next Steps 

Clerical checks | OCR 

Ofqual - GOV.UK 

Post-Results Services and Appeals 

CCEA 

Appeals for GCSE, AS, A level and Project qualifications: 2023 to 2024 academic year - GOV.UK 

Guide to University Clearing 

Get help with your exam results | National Careers Service 

Young Minds 

Student mental health support and treatment - Mind 

Retaking Your A Levels - Everything You Need to Know