A level results day 2020 is a results day like no other. With Covid-19 forcing the closure of schools in March, year 13 students up and down the country were unable to sit their final A level exams.
So how have they been assessed?
With no exams, the Department of Education devised a new system to calculate a grade based upon a range of information.
The first step required teachers to submit information on mock exams, classwork, homework, predicted grades, GCSEs and other relevant evidence. After this, teachers were then asked to place students in rank order for each grade. This process was agreed by at least 2 teachers and then confirmed by the headteacher or principal to ensure a fair representation.
With this information, exam boards then used a statistical model to standardise grades. The standardisation model was developed by government body Ofqual and considered aspects such as previous grades achieved at the school/college and previous national results in each subject.
The government stated they worked closely with exam boards to present an approach that was as fair as possible, to enable students to move onto the next stage of their lives.
What was the Outcome?
The government have reported a higher percentage of grade A results this year compared to 2019, increasing from 25.2% to 27.6% in 2020. However, with this being said, it has also been reported that 36% of students received a grade lower than their teachers had predicted, with 3% of students receiving results two grades lower than estimated.
I’m Not Happy with My Results, What Can I Do?
If you feel as though the results you received do not accurately reflect your ability or the level of work you put in throughout, there are three options:
1. Appeal
As it stands, students can ask their school/college whether there were any administrative mistakes when submitting information. If this is the case, the school/college can appeal to the exam board. Schools and colleges can also appeal without a request from a student if they believe they have made an administrative error themselves, or if they believe the grades awarded are not representative of this year’s cohort.
It is important to know that all appeals must be made by the school or college and can’t be made by individual students.
There is a possibility that the appeal process may change, however we will aim to keep you up to date in line with government guidelines. To find out more about the appeal process as it currently stands this year, visit the gov.uk website here.
2. Go through Clearing
If you didn’t get the grades to get into your university of choice you can go through clearing. This is a process that matches applicants who haven’t received an offer with any unfilled places at other universities across the country. Although this sounds like a daunting process, it can match you with a university you hadn’t even considered, and despite it not being your first choice, still provides you with the chance to study and have a great experience.
If you want to find out more about the clearing process visit the UCAS website.
3. Re-sit in the Autumn
You can ‘re-sit’ your exams in the autumn, giving you the chance to achieve the grade you want. Depending on how you do in your re-sits, you will be awarded the highest grade out of the two. The government are aiming for A level re-sit exams to take place in October, so results can be awarded before Christmas to ensure entry to university in the new year.
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