Official Statistics

Reviews of marking and moderation for GCSE, AS and A level: summer 2022 exam series

Published 15 December 2022

Applies to England

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1. Introduction

This report presents data on requests for reviews of marking, reviews of moderation and administrative error reviews made to exam boards in GCSE, AS and A level qualifications for the summer 2022 exam series in England (referred to as the June series in the main body of the report). These were formerly known as enquiries about results and, throughout this release, they are referred to collectively as ‘reviews’.

In summer 2020 and summer 2021, exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and, as a result, there were no reviews of marking or moderation. Summer 2022 saw the return of exams, but, the approach to grading was different to 2019; overall results in 2022 reflected a midpoint between results in 2021 and 2019. It is possible that the approach to grading in 2022 has affected decisions about whether to request reviews of marking in some cases.

With the return to exams and other formal assessments, the usual post-results services were reinstated. There were no reviews of marking or moderation in summer 2020 and summer 2021, so comparisons of summer 2022 are made to summer 2019 in this report. However, as arrangements were different from 2019, these comparisons need to be treated with caution.

A qualification is generally comprised of a number of assessments. Reviews are submitted for each assessment (exam or non-exam assessment) individually. Reviews can be submitted for more than one assessment taken for one qualification. In some cases, multiple reviews are requested for the same assessment (eg an administrative error review may be requested and then a review of marking). Therefore, the total number of requests for reviews of marking and administrative error reviews tends to be higher than the total number of qualification grades challenged. This is not the case for reviews of moderation, as one review usually involves a number of students. The vast majority of reviews requested are reviews of marking and so, overall, the number of grades challenged is lower than the number of reviews requested.

Each exam board offers 3 review services for exam papers and non-exam assessment:

  • an administrative error review for an individual assessment (‘Service 1’)
  • a review of marking for an individual assessment (‘Service 2’ priority and non-priority). This service also includes an administrative error review
  • a review of moderation of the school or college’s internal assessment using the sample of students’ work that was used in the initial moderation (‘Service 3’)

Please note that some reviews were still outstanding at the point at which data was submitted (15 November 2022). These are included in figures where possible (for example in the number of reviews requested and grades challenged). They are not, however, included in figures pertaining to grade or mark changes as the resulting mark or grade was not known at the point the data was collected.

AS and A level reviews are presented together in this report, but caution should be taken in making comparisons across time as the number of AS entries has declined considerably compared to summer 2019. Further information is provided in the background notes accompanying this report.


  1. In June 2022, 3.7% of GCSE grades awarded were challenged and 0.9% of GCSE grades awarded were changed (compared to 5.4% challenged and 1.1% changed in June 2019). At AS and A level, 4.9% of grades awarded were challenged and 1.2% were changed in June 2022 (compared to 7.4% challenged and 1.5% changed in June 2019).
  2. Of the 191,955 GCSE grades challenged in June 2022, 43,530 (23%) were changed, compared to June 2019 where 279,925 GCSE grades were challenged and 56,680 (20%) were changed.
  3. Of the 41,755 AS and A level grades challenged in June 2022, 10,235 (25%) were changed, compared to June 2019 where 63,980 AS and A level grades were challenged and 13,070 (20%) were changed.
  4. In June 2022, 65% of GCSE reviews (compared to 64% in June 2019) and 52% AS and A level reviews (compared to 58% in June 2019) resulted in no component mark change.
  5. In June 2022, the most commonly challenged grades at AS and A level, GCSE, and in GCSE combined science were grades B (37.7%), 3 (21.5%) and 4-3 (17.6%) respectively.


3. Number of reviews, qualification grades challenged and changed by service type

3.1 GCSE

At GCSE, in June 2022, 332,240 reviews were requested in total, a decrease of 26.5% from June 2019 (451,830 reviews). There was a 1.5% decrease in GCSEs awarded (from 5,199,335 in June 2019 to 5,120,790 in June 2022).

Table 1 breaks down the changes in GCSE reviews requested, grades challenged and grades changed by service type. Please note that in June 2022 there were 550 grades challenged and 175 grades changed under multiple review types which are not included in the charts, so that a single grade is not counted more than once. The figures for grades that were challenged and changed under multiple review types are reported in the accompanying data.

Table 1: Number of reviews, qualification grades challenged and changed by service type for GCSE

Type of review                     Reviews requested, grades challenged or grades changed June 2018 June 2019 June 2022
Administrative error reviews       Reviews requested                                           1,965     1,930     1,510
Administrative error reviews       Grades challenged                                             795       735       470
Administrative error reviews       Grades changed                                                40        30        25
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Reviews requested                                         436,795   446,315   328,935
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades challenged                                         245,590   251,385   176,295
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades changed                                            49,920    52,070    40,830
Reviews of marking (priority)     Reviews requested                                           2,125     2,330     1,320
Reviews of marking (priority)     Grades challenged                                           1,065     1,090       670
Reviews of marking (priority)     Grades changed                                               210       285       210
Reviews of moderation             Reviews requested                                           1,660     1,260       475
Reviews of moderation             Grades challenged                                          34,655    25,270    13,970
Reviews of moderation             Grades changed                                             6,490     3,830     2,295

Note: The number of grades challenged and changed through reviews of moderation is higher than the number of reviews because one review usually involves a number of students. Further information is provided in the background information accompanying this report.

Underlying figures are reported in Tables 2 to 5 in the accompanying data.


3.2 AS and A level

At A level, there was a 32.2% decrease in review requests, from 103,010 in June 2019 to 69,825 in June 2022. There was a 4.4% increase in A level grades awarded (from 749,285 in June 2019 to 782,540 in June 2022).

AS qualifications saw a 57.4% decrease in review requests, from 4,780 in June 2019 to 2,035 in June 2022. There was a 46.6% decrease in AS grades awarded this year (from 120,520 in June 2019 to 64,345 in June 2022).

Table 2 breaks down the changes in AS and A level reviews requested, grades challenged, and grades changed by service type. Please note that in June 2022 there were 1,335 grades challenged and 325 grades changed under multiple review types which are not included in the charts, so that a single grade is not counted more than once. The figures for grades that were challenged and changed under multiple review types are reported the accompanying data.

Table 2: Number of reviews, qualification grades challenged and changed by service type for AS and A level

Type of review                     Reviews requested, grades challenged or grades changed June 2018 June 2019 June 2022
Administrative error reviews       Reviews requested                                             370       420       400
Administrative error reviews       Grades challenged                                             180       180       160
Administrative error reviews       Grades changed                                                15         5        15
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Reviews requested                                          59,140    69,925    47,885
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades challenged                                          33,160    36,835    24,220
Reviews of marking (non-priority) Grades changed                                             7,345     8,150     6,580
Reviews of marking (priority)     Reviews requested                                          28,445    36,545    23,085
Reviews of marking (priority)     Grades challenged                                          13,915    17,110    10,085
Reviews of marking (priority)     Grades changed                                             3,225     3,970     2,900
Reviews of moderation             Reviews requested                                           1,105       900       495
Reviews of moderation             Grades challenged                                           8,425     7,140     5,955
Reviews of moderation             Grades changed                                             1,105       405       415

Note: The number of grades challenged and changed through reviews of moderation is higher than the number of reviews because one review usually involves a number of students. Further information is provided in the background information accompanying this report. The reduction in the number of reviews of moderation requested in recent years is potentially due to the change to reformed which have fewer non-exam assessments and therefore fewer moderated components.

Underlying figures are reported in Tables 2 to 6 in the accompanying data.


4. Grades challenged and changed by subject

4.1 GCSE

In June 2022, the percentage of GCSE qualification grades that were changed following reviews varied by subject between 0.3% and 2.5%.

Of the subjects offered at GCSE level in England in June 2022, all subjects saw a decrease in the percentage of grades challenged compared to June 2019. The percentage of grades changed (of all grades awarded) increased slightly in history, remained the same for English literature and performing/expressive arts, and decreased for all other subjects compared to June 2019.

Underlying figures are reported in Table 7 in the accompanying data.


4.2 AS and A level

In June 2022, the percentage of AS and A level qualification grades that were changed following reviews varied by subject between 0.6% and 3%.

Of the subjects offered at AS and A level in England in June 2022, all subjects saw a decrease in the percentage of grades challenged compared to June 2019. The percentage of grades changed (of all grades awarded) increased in: art and design subjects, drama, English language, French, political studies and other modern languages, compared to June 2019. For the remaining subjects, the percentage remained the same for law and decreased for all other subjects compared to June 2019.

Underlying figures are reported in Table 8 in the accompanying data.


5. Original qualification grades challenged

For GCSE, the most commonly challenged grade was a 3 (37,020 or 21.5% of all grades challenged). This is likely a reflection of the importance of attaining a grade 4 or above.

GCSE combined science has a 17-point grading scale from 9-9 to 1-1. The most commonly challenged grade was 4-3 (1,710 or 17.6% of all grades challenged), likely reflecting the importance of grade 4-4.

For AS and A level, the most commonly challenged grade was B (15,735 or 37.7% of all grades challenged).

Underlying figures are reported in Table 9 in the accompanying data.


6. Raw mark changes following reviews

Raw mark changes described in this section relate to the difference in the mark given to a single unit, component or subcomponent before and after review.

6.1 GCSE

At GCSE, the majority of reviews (65%) resulted in no mark change. 80% of all reviews resulted in either no mark change or a change of one mark. Only 5% of reviews resulted in a mark change of 5 marks or more. 64% of reviews that resulted in a mark change were for an increase in marks, as opposed to a decrease.

To note, for June 2022 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.5% of GCSE reviews had raw mark changes still to be determined.

Table 3: Distribution of raw mark changes for GCSEs following reviews

Magnitude of mark change Number of marks June 2019 Percentage of marks June 2019 Number of marks June 2022 Percentage of marks June 2022
Less than or equal to -5                                       3,205                           0.7                     6,465                           1.9
-4                                           3,140                           0.6                     2,055                           0.6
-3                                           7,095                           1.5                     4,295                           1.2
-2                                          14,185                           2.9                     9,750                           2.8
-1                                          29,735                           6.1                    20,800                           6.0
0                                           312,215                          64.1                   223,650                          64.6
1                                            48,385                           9.9                    32,760                           9.5
2                                            25,395                           5.2                    18,450                           5.3
3                                            16,495                           3.4                    10,610                           3.1
4                                             8,905                           1.8                     5,730                           1.7
Greater than or equal to 5                                      17,240                           3.5                    10,245                           3.0


6.2 AS and A level

At AS and A level, the majority of reviews (52%) resulted in no mark change. 71% of all reviews resulted in either no mark change or a change of one mark. Only 9% of reviews resulted in a mark change of 5 marks or more. 61% of reviews that resulted in a mark change were for an increase in marks, as opposed to a decrease.

To note, for June 2022 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.3% of AS and A level reviews had raw mark changes still to be determined.

Table 4: Distribution of raw mark changes for AS and A levels following reviews

Magnitude of mark change Number of marks June 2019 Percentage of marks June 2019 Number of marks June 2022 Percentage of marks June 2022
Less than or equal to -5                                       1,200                           1.0                     2,950                           3.8
-4                                             925                           0.8                       885                           1.1
-3                                           1,820                           1.6                     1,410                           1.8
-2                                           3,900                           3.3                     2,975                           3.8
-1                                           8,420                           7.2                     6,135                           7.9
0                                            68,400                          58.3                    40,650                          52.1
1                                            12,030                          10.3                     8,230                          10.5
2                                             7,340                           6.3                     5,035                           6.4
3                                             4,285                           3.7                     3,195                           4.1
4                                             2,945                           2.5                     2,085                           2.7
Greater than or equal to 5                                       5,935                           5.1                     4,310                           5.5


7. Average absolute raw mark change

As described in the previous section, raw mark changes relate to the difference in the mark given to a single unit, component, or subcomponent before and after review. The absolute mark change is the mark change expressed as a positive value and the average is calculated using all absolute mark changes, including mark changes of zero.

7.1 GCSE

Table 6 shows the average absolute raw mark change for the 10 GCSE subjects with the highest number of grades challenged. The average absolute mark change for any subject in June 2022 did not exceed 4.5 marks at GCSE.

Table 5: Average absolute raw mark change at GCSE for the 10 subjects with the highest number of grades challenged

Subject                 2019 2022
English language          0.8  0.9
English literature        0.6  0.5
Science: double award    0.6  0.7
Mathematics              0.5  0.6
History                  0.7  0.7
Geography                1.0  0.9
Art and design subjects  2.3  4.5
Biology                  1.1  1.2
Religious studies        1.0  1.2
Physics                  1.0  1.2

7.2 AS and A level

Table 7 shows the average absolute raw mark change for the 10 AS and A level subjects with the highest number of grades challenged. The average absolute mark change for any subject in June 2022 did not exceed 4.2 marks at AS and A level.

Table 6: Average absolute raw mark change at AS and A level for the 10 subjects with the highest number of grades challenged

Subject                 2019 2022
History                  0.8  1.5
Biology                  1.0  1.0
Psychology                1.3  1.5
Mathematics              1.0  1.0
Economics                1.0  1.4
Geography                1.2  2.1
Chemistry                0.9  1.0
English literature        1.2  1.8
Art and design subjects  1.1  4.2
Physics                  0.9  0.9


8. Grades changed following reviews

8.1 GCSE

In the majority of cases (76.5% of all GCSE grades challenged), grades were not changed following review. When grades were changed at GCSE, they were most commonly changed by 1 grade (97.8% of grades changed).

Very few grades were changed by 2 grades or more. In June 2022, just over 0.5% of all grades challenged resulted in a grade change of 2 grades or more (0.3% in June 2019).

To note, for June 2022 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.8% of GCSE grades challenged had final grade changes still to be determined.

Table 7: Magnitude of grade changes made following review at GCSE

Magnitude of grade change Number of grades June 2019 Percentage of grades June 2019 Number of grades June 2022 Percentage of grades June 2022
No grade change           222,605                                               79.5                    146,875                           76.5
Grade change of 1         55,730                                               19.9                     42,585                           22.2
Grade change of 2 or more 945                                                    0.3                        945                            0.5

8.2 AS and A level

In the majority of cases (75% of all AS and A level grades challenged), grades were not changed following review. When grades were changed at AS and A level, they were most commonly changed by 1 grade (98.9% of grades changed).

Very few grades were changed by 2 grades or more. In June 2022, just over 0.3% of all grades challenged resulted in a grade change of 2 grades or more (0.1% in June 2019).

To note, for June 2022 at the point at which data was collected, some reviews were still in progress. As a result, 0.5% of AS and A level grades challenged had final grade changes still to be determined.

Table 8: Magnitude of grade changes made following review at AS and A level

Magnitude of grade change Number of grades June 2019 Percentage of grades June 2019 Number of grades June 2022 Percentage of grades June 2022
No grade change           50,815                                               79.4                     31,310                           75.0
Grade change of 1         13,010                                               20.3                     10,125                           24.2
Grade change of 2 or more 60                                                    0.1                        110                            0.3


9. Number of grade changes of 2 or more grades by subject (June 2022)

Table 10 shows the number of changes of 2 or more grades following reviews of marking and moderation by subject in June 2022.

In GCSE, changes of 2 or more grades accounted for 2.2% of all GCSE grades changed in June 2022. English literature and English language (two subjects with some of the largest entry numbers) accounted for the highest number of changes of 2 or more grades.

In AS and A level, changes of 2 or more grades accounted for 1.1% of all AS and A level grades changed in June 2022. Art and design subjects and English literature accounted for the highest number of changes of 2 or more grades.

Table 9: Number of changes of 2 or more grades following reviews by subject for GCSE, AS and A level

Subject                 GCSE AS and A level Total
English literature        285             25   310
English language          280   Fewer than 5   280
Art and design subjects  145             55   200
Science: double award     70              0    70
History                   25   Fewer than 5    25
Religious studies         25   Fewer than 5    30
Design and technology     20              0    20
Geography                 15              0    15
Drama                     15   Fewer than 5    20
Spanish                   15              0    15
All other subjects         50             25    70
Total                    945            110 1,055

10. Units and components with the highest percentage of reviews

10.1 GCSE

The charts below show the percentage and number of entries reviewed for the 10 GCSE units with the highest proportion of entries reviewed (left chart) and the proportion and number of those reviews which resulted in a mark change (right chart). The raw number for each unit’s reviews and instances of mark changes are displayed on each chart. Only units with over 1,000 entries were included for analysis.

Table 10: The 10 GCSE units and components with the highest percentage of entries with reviews of marking requested

Title                               Number of reviews Percentage of total entry reviewed Number of reviews resulting in a mark change Percentage of reviews resulting in a mark change
OCR J351 01 English language                       660                                7.9                                          275                                             41.9
OCR J199 21 Classical civilisation                 115                                7.3                                           50                                             44.2
OCR J351 02 English language                       560                                6.8                                          350                                             62.6
AQA 8700/1 English language paper 1            28,565                                5.1                                        8,525                                             29.8
AQA 8700/2 English language paper 2            28,180                                5.1                                        4,780                                             17.0
Pearson 1ET0/01 English literature               2,730                                5.1                                          955                                             34.9
AQA 8136/2 Economics paper 2                       125                                5.0                                           85                                             69.0
AQA 8136/1 Economics paper 1                       120                                4.9                                           60                                             49.2
OCR J205 02 Economics                             215                                4.7                                          160                                             75.1
Pearson 1EN0/01 English language                 2,610                                4.6                                          715                                             27.4

10.2 AS and A level

Table 11: The 10 AS and A level units and components with the highest percentage of entries with reviews of marking requested

Title                                     Number of reviews Percentage of total entry reviewed Number of reviews resulting in a mark change Percentage of reviews resulting in a mark change
Pearson 9MU0/02 Music                                   140                                8.8                                           50                                             36.2
Pearson 9MU0/01 Music                                   120                                7.5                                           60                                             52.5
AQA 7042/1H History adv paper 1 option h               235                                7.2                                           50                                             20.4
Pearson 9MU0/03 Music                                   110                                7.0                                           65                                             58.2
OCR H472 01 English literature                         595                                6.8                                          185                                             31.4
AQA 7262/W Drama and theatre adv written               195                                6.3                                           35                                             17.0
OCR H472 02 English literature                         545                                6.2                                          210                                             38.2
AQA 7042/2N History adv paper 2 option n               190                                6.0                                           60                                             30.5
AQA 7172/1 Philosophy adv paper 1                       200                                6.0                                           80                                             40.9
AQA 7042/1K History adv paper 1 option k                85                                5.8                                           30                                             32.9


11. Average response times

In this section, the average time taken in days to respond to reviews is presented for reviews of marking (priority and non-priority) and administrative error reviews. The exam boards collectively decide their own maximum timescales for completing reviews and reporting the outcome. These are:

  • 10 days for a administrative error review
  • 20 days for a review of marking (non-priority) review
  • 15 days for a review of marking (priority) review

In the majority of cases, 99.7% of GCSE reviews requested and 98.8% of AS and A level reviews requested, service 1 and service 2 reviews were completed within the maximum times outlined in the Joint Council for Qualifications guidelines.

11.1 Table 12: Average time taken to complete review in days

Exam series Qualification   Administrative error reviews Reviews of marking (non-priority) Reviews of marking (priority)
June 2019   GCSE                                      3                               9.4                           1.6
June 2022   GCSE                                    0.7                               9.2                           1.7
June 2019   AS and A level                          2.2                               8.2                           6.2
June 2022   AS and A level                          1.4                                 7                             7

12. Contextual information

This report presents data on requests for reviews of marking, reviews of moderation and administrative error reviews made to exam boards in GCSE, AS and A level qualifications for the summer 2022 exam series in England.

Further information is provided in the background notes accompanying this report.

13. User feedback

We welcome your feedback on our publications. Should you have any comments on this statistical release and how to improve it to meet your needs please contact us at data.analytics@ofqual.gov.uk.

Head of profession: Nadir Zanini

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