Priority Reviews of Marking Explained

A priority review of marking is a fast post-results service for students whose university or further education place depends on an exam result.

You might consider one when:

• You narrowly missed your university offer

• One subject grade is preventing your place from being confirmed

• Your result appears inconsistent with your performance

• Your school or college identifies a possible marking error

• A university has agreed to keep your place open temporarily

A priority review does not guarantee that your mark will increase.

The reviewer may decide that:

• The original mark was correct

• Your mark should increase

• Your mark should decrease

Your overall qualification grade may therefore rise, stay the same or fall. You must give written consent before the request is submitted because of this risk.

For the summer 2026 exam series, awarding bodies must receive A-Level priority review requests by 20 August 2026, only seven days after A-Level Results Day.

This means you need to act quickly, but not blindly.

Important: This guide focuses mainly on the JCQ post-results arrangements used for A-Levels, AS Levels and certain Level 3 qualifications. Check the rules and deadlines published by your own exam board, school or college.

Priority Reviews of Marking at a Glance

Question	Answer
What is it?	A faster review of the original marking
Who is it mainly for?	Students whose further or higher education place depends on the outcome
Who requests it?	Usually your school or college
Can a student apply directly?	Normally only if they are a private candidate
Is it a complete remark?	No
Can the mark increase?	Yes
Can the mark decrease?	Yes
Can the grade remain unchanged?	Yes
Is written consent required?	Yes
2026 A-Level deadline	20 August 2026
Target completion time	Within 15 calendar days
University place guaranteed to be held?	No
Can you explore Clearing while waiting?	Yes

Priority Service 2 is available for externally assessed AS and A-Level components and specified Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications. Awarding bodies aim to complete it within 15 calendar days of receiving the request.

What Is a Priority Review of Marking?

A priority review of marking is formally known as Priority Service 2.

It involves an independent reviewer examining the original marking to identify whether the mark scheme was applied correctly.

A marking error can include:

• An administrative error

• Failure to apply the mark scheme correctly to a right-or-wrong response

• An unreasonable exercise of academic judgement

The reviewer does not simply mark the paper again from the beginning.

They review the original marking and change marks only where an error is identified.

Why Is It Called a Priority Review?

It follows the same core review principles as an ordinary review of marking, but it is processed more quickly.

The priority service is designed for cases where waiting for the normal service could affect:

• A university place

• A college place

• Another time-sensitive progression decision

An ordinary review of marking has a target completion time of 20 calendar days. A priority review has a target completion time of 15 calendar days.

That five-day difference can be important when a university is deciding whether it can continue holding a place.

Is a Priority Review the Same as a Remark?

People often call the process a “remark”, but that description can be misleading.

It is not a completely fresh mark by a second examiner who ignores the first result.

Instead, the reviewer checks whether the original marker:

• Marked every relevant response

• Applied the mark scheme correctly

• Made a reasonable academic judgement

• Recorded and totalled the marks correctly

The reviewer will not change a mark merely because they personally might have awarded a slightly different mark within a reasonable range. They act when the original marking contains an identifiable error.

What Does “Unreasonable Academic Judgement” Mean?

Some questions require professional judgement rather than a single objectively correct answer.

These can include:

• Essays

• Extended responses

• Analysis

• Evaluation

• Creative work

• Language responses

A reviewer does not replace one reasonable judgement with another reasonable judgement.

A mark should change only when the original judgement cannot reasonably be supported using the mark scheme.

This is one reason why being one or two marks below a grade boundary does not automatically mean the paper was marked incorrectly.

Priority Review, Clerical Re-check and Review of Marking

There are several different post-results services.

Service 1: Administrative Error Review

This is sometimes called a clerical re-check.

It checks:

• Whether every question was marked

• Whether marks were added correctly

• Whether marks were recorded correctly

It does not review whether an examiner’s academic judgement was reasonable.

The normal target completion time is within 10 calendar days.

Service 2: Review of Marking

This includes:

• Administrative checks

• Review of how the mark scheme was applied

• Review of academic judgement

The normal target completion time is within 20 calendar days.

Priority Service 2: Priority Review of Marking

This reviews the same types of potential marking error as Service 2, but it is processed more quickly because a progression place may depend on the result.

The target completion time is within 15 calendar days.

Service 3: Review of Moderation

This applies where coursework or another non-exam assessment was marked by teachers and then moderated by the exam board.

It:

• Reviews the original moderation process

• Is requested by the school or college

• Applies to a sample from the centre

• Is not available for one individual student alone

A review of moderation can leave published grades unchanged or increase them, but published grades cannot be lowered as a result of that review in the current series.

Post-Results Services Compared

Service	What it checks	Typical target time	Individual request?
Administrative error review	Marking completion, totals and recording	10 calendar days	Yes
Review of marking	Original marking and mark-scheme application	20 calendar days	Yes
Priority review of marking	Same review, handled more quickly	15 calendar days	Yes
Review of moderation	Centre’s moderated non-exam assessment sample	Up to 35 calendar days after receipt of sample	No

Who Can Request a Priority Review?

A priority review is mainly intended for a student whose further or higher education place depends on the outcome.

For example:

University offer: ABB, including a B in HistoryResults: ABC, including a C in History

If the student is close to the History grade boundary and the university might confirm the place if the grade becomes a B, a priority review may be appropriate.

The school should still consider whether there is a reasonable basis for believing that a marking error may have occurred.

Being disappointed with a grade is not, by itself, evidence of an error.

Is It Available for Every Qualification?

Under the JCQ summer 2026 arrangements, Priority Service 2 is available for externally assessed components of:

• GCE AS Levels

• GCE A-Levels

• Certain Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications

• T Levels under the relevant awarding-body arrangements

It is not a general priority service for every GCSE qualification across all exam boards.

Check the specific service offered by your awarding body.

Who Submits the Request?

For most students, the request is submitted by the school, college or exam centre.

You should speak to:

• Exams officer

• Head of sixth form

• Subject teacher

• Careers adviser

• Senior member of staff managing post-results services

Awarding bodies normally accept requests from centres rather than directly from internal candidates or their parents.

Can Parents Request a Review?

A parent can help the student:

• Discuss the result

• Understand the risks

• Contact the school

• Review the university offer

However, a parent cannot usually submit an A-Level review directly to the exam board for a student entered through a school or college.

The school or college submits the request, and the student must provide consent.

What If You Are a Private Candidate?

Private candidates may be able to request:

• Access to a script

• A review of marking

• A priority review

directly from the awarding organisation.

They can also ask the exam centre that submitted their entry to make the request.

Check the exam board’s instructions immediately because the same strict deadline applies.

What Is the 2026 Priority Review Deadline?

For summer 2026 A-Level results:

• A-Level Results Day is Thursday 13 August 2026

• The awarding body must receive Priority Service 2 requests by Thursday 20 August 2026

• The priority review target is completion within 15 calendar days of the request being received

The 20 August deadline is the date by which the awarding body must receive the request.

It is not necessarily your school’s deadline.

Your School May Set an Earlier Deadline

Your school or college needs time to:

• Discuss the result

• Obtain consent

• Check marks

• Consult the subject department

• Access a script where appropriate

• Submit the request correctly

It may therefore set an internal deadline before 20 August.

Ask on Results Day:

What is the school’s deadline for requesting a priority review?

Do not assume you have a full week to decide.

What If You Miss the Deadline?

JCQ states that requests received after the relevant deadline will not be processed.

You may still be able to request a normal Service 2 review by the later deadline, but its slower timing may make it less useful for a university place.

For the summer 2026 series, the general deadline for reviews of results is 24 September 2026.

How Long Does a Priority Review Take?

Awarding bodies aim to complete Priority Service 2 within 15 calendar days of receiving the request.

It may be completed sooner, but you should not assume it will be.

The clock begins when the awarding body receives the valid request, not when you first speak to your teacher.

When Should Universities Receive the Outcome?

Ofqual states that awarding organisations aim to complete priority reviews by 3 September 2026, which is the UCAS advisory deadline for higher education providers to keep affected places open.

UCAS separately advises that most universities will want review or appeal outcomes by 2 September, although individual institutions may use different deadlines.

These dates do not align perfectly.

The practical rule is:

Ask your university for its exact deadline.

Do not assume it will automatically wait until 3 September.

Will the University Hold Your Place?

Possibly, but it does not have to.

UCAS warns that universities are not obliged to hold places while a review takes place.

A university might:

• Keep the original course place open

• Hold it until a stated deadline

• Offer an alternative course

• Ask you to use Clearing

• Refuse to hold the place

• Consider you again if the grade changes and space remains

The decision belongs to the university.

Contact the University Immediately

As soon as a priority review is being considered, contact admissions.

Explain:

• Your name

• UCAS Personal ID

• Course

• Offer conditions

• Results

• Subject being reviewed

• Current mark and grade

• Grade required

• Expected submission date

Ask:

• Will you hold my place?

• Until what date?

• Do you need proof that the review was submitted?

• Where should the outcome be sent?

• Can I accept another course while waiting?

• What happens if the result arrives after your deadline?

• Is an alternative course available?

Example University Phone Script

Hello, my name is [name], and my UCAS Personal ID is [number]. My offer for [course] required [conditions], and I achieved [results]. My school is considering a priority review of marking for [subject]. Could you tell me whether the university would hold my place while the review is completed and what evidence or deadlines apply?

Record:

• Date and time

• Name of adviser

• Information provided

• Deadline

• Email address

• Evidence required

Follow the call with an email where possible.

Does the Exam Board Tell the University?

The awarding body does not tell UCAS or your university merely because a review has been requested.

You or your school must inform the university.

If the review changes the grade, the awarding body will report the amended grade to UCAS. Even so, you should send the outcome to the university immediately rather than assuming every system will update at the same moment.

Can Your Mark Go Down?

Yes.

A review can result in:

• A higher mark

• The same mark

• A lower mark

The overall subject grade may also:

• Increase

• Remain unchanged

• Decrease

You must provide written consent because the result could become worse.

Example 1: Mark Rises, Grade Rises

Original result: 178 marks, grade BReviewed result: 181 marks, grade A

The review identifies errors worth three marks, changing the overall grade.

Example 2: Mark Rises, Grade Stays the Same

Original result: 168 marks, grade BReviewed result: 171 marks, grade B

The paper gains marks, but not enough to cross the qualification boundary.

Example 3: Mark Falls, Grade Stays the Same

Original result: 168 marks, grade BReviewed result: 166 marks, grade B

The subject grade does not change, but the recorded mark decreases.

Example 4: Mark Falls, Grade Falls

Original result: 160 marks, grade BReviewed result: 157 marks, grade C

This is possible, although the exact effect depends on the qualification’s grade boundaries.

These examples are illustrative.

Can You Withdraw After Seeing the New Mark?

No.

Once the review has been completed and the result changed, the revised result becomes the official outcome.

You cannot choose whichever mark you prefer.

This is why your written consent must be informed and given after results have been published.

Does Being Close to a Grade Boundary Mean You Should Request a Review?

Not automatically.

A grade boundary tells you how many marks are needed for a particular grade.

It does not tell you whether:

• The marking contains an error

• The paper was harshly marked

• The examiner missed a response

• A review is likely to gain marks

Ofqual states that an awarding organisation cannot add marks merely because a student was close to a boundary or received a lower grade than predicted.

When Closeness May Matter

Closeness to a boundary can help you judge the practical risk and possible benefit.

For example:

• One mark below may require only one identified correction.

• Twelve marks below would require a much larger net increase.

• One paper may contain a potentially reviewable extended response.

• Another subject may consist largely of objectively marked questions.

But the decision should be based on the script and marking, not closeness alone.

Ask These Questions

• How many marks are needed?

• Which component produced the unexpected result?

• Has a teacher reviewed the script?

• Is there evidence of a possible marking error?

• Could the mark also fall?

• Would a grade change secure the university place?

• Will the university hold the place?

• What is the cost?

• What is the backup plan?

Can You See Your Exam Paper First?

Your school or college may use the awarding organisation’s Access to Scripts service to obtain the marked paper.

This can help a teacher decide whether a review is sensible.

A teacher might check:

• Whether every page was marked

• Whether marks match the response

• Whether the mark scheme appears to have been applied

• Whether an extended response contains a possible marking error

• Whether a clerical re-check or full review is more appropriate

Do Not Let Script Access Cause You to Miss the Deadline

The priority review deadline is extremely short.

Schools should check:

• How quickly the script can be accessed

• Whether requesting a copy affects another service

• What the individual exam board requires

• Whether a review should be submitted immediately

JCQ specifically advises candidates and centres to check the relevant awarding body’s guidance on the implications of requesting a script where a priority review is being considered.

Should You Request Every Paper in the Subject?

Not necessarily.

A review can normally be requested for one or more externally assessed components.

Your school should consider:

• Marks for each paper

• Available scripts

• Teacher judgement

• Distance from the overall boundary

• Cost

• Risk of marks moving down

Example

Suppose an A-Level contains three papers:

Paper	Original mark	Teacher’s view
Paper 1	62	Appears consistent
Paper 2	48	Several responses may have been under-credited
Paper 3	65	Appears consistent

The school might recommend reviewing Paper 2 rather than all three.

However, reviewing only one paper means marks on the other papers remain unchanged.

Your school should make a subject-level judgement based on the available evidence.

What Does a Priority Review Cost?

Each awarding body sets and publishes its own fees.

The cost can depend on:

• Exam board

• Qualification

• Number of components

• Type of service

Ask your school:

• What is the fee per paper or component?

• Who pays initially?

• Is the school covering the cost?

• What happens if the grade changes?

• When must payment be made?

Ofqual states that awarding organisations may charge where the qualification grade does not change. There should be no fee where the qualification grade changes following the review.

Your school or college should explain its own payment arrangements.

What If Your School Refuses to Submit a Review?

Schools and colleges should consider the available evidence and decide whether they support the request.

They are not required to submit every review requested by a student or parent.

However, schools and colleges must give students an opportunity to appeal internally against a decision not to request a review of marking.

Ask for:

• The school’s post-results policy

• The reason for the decision

• The internal appeal procedure

• The deadline for appealing

• Information considered by the school

Because the priority deadline is so short, begin the internal appeal immediately.

Can You Submit It Yourself Instead?

Normally not when you are an internal candidate entered through a school or college.

Awarding bodies generally accept the request from the centre.

Private candidates may have a direct route.

What Happens After the Request Is Submitted?

1. The Awarding Body Receives the Request

The centre submits:

• Candidate details

• Qualification

• Component

• Service requested

• Confirmation that written consent was obtained

2. The Review Is Completed

A trained reviewer examines the original marking and corrects identified errors.

3. The Result Is Sent to the Centre

Your school or college receives the outcome and should tell you promptly.

4. The Grade Is Updated Where Necessary

If the review changes the overall qualification grade, the awarding body updates the official result and advises UCAS of the change.

5. You Tell the University

Send the outcome immediately using the university’s requested method.

UCAS recommends giving universities the review or appeal result as soon as it is received.

Possible Priority Review Outcomes

The Grade Increases and You Meet the Offer

Contact the university immediately.

Provide:

• Revised grade

• Official evidence

• UCAS Personal ID

• Date of review outcome

• Original offer conditions

If the university held the place, it may now confirm you.

If it did not hold the place, ask whether:

• Space remains

• The original course can reconsider you

• A related course is available

• You can apply through Clearing

A higher grade does not automatically force a university to restore a place that it no longer has available.

The Mark Increases but the Grade Does Not

You still have the same qualification grade.

This will not normally satisfy an offer requiring a higher grade.

You can ask whether the university will reconsider, but it is not required to treat a higher mark within the same grade as meeting the condition.

The Mark and Grade Stay the Same

Your original result remains in place.

Continue with your backup option, which might include:

• Insurance university

• Clearing

• Foundation year

• Resitting

• Reapplying

• Apprenticeship

• Gap year

The Mark or Grade Decreases

The lower result becomes official.

Check whether it affects:

• Insurance offer

• Clearing offer

• Scholarship

• Apprenticeship

• Another qualification requirement

Inform any institution that needs the updated result.

Can You Use Clearing While Waiting?

Yes, and it is sensible to explore alternatives.

UCAS recommends applying for the review promptly, informing the university and continuing to consider Clearing where needed.

You can:

• Search vacancies

• Contact universities

• Receive verbal or provisional offers

• Compare courses

• Ask about deadlines

• Check accommodation

Whether you can formally add a Clearing choice depends on your current UCAS status.

Questions to Ask a Clearing University

• Can you consider me while a priority review is pending?

• Which result will you use?

• How long will your offer remain available?

• What happens if my grade later increases?

• Is accommodation available?

• Is the offer for the exact course discussed?

Do not rely on the review changing.

A backup plan is not evidence that you lack confidence. It is evidence that you understand how calendars work.

Should You Accept Another University Place While Waiting?

This depends on your UCAS status and the institutions involved.

Before accepting another course, ask:

• Will this cancel the original option?

• Is the first university still holding the place?

• Can the new university wait for the review?

• What happens if the grade changes later?

• Is accommodation available?

• Will student finance need updating?

Speak to:

• Original university

• Possible new university

• School or college adviser

• UCAS where necessary

Do not decline a confirmed place or add a Clearing choice without understanding the effect on your other options.

Read What If You Miss Your UCAS Offer? [What If You Miss Your UCAS Offer?] for the complete decision process.

What If the Review Outcome Arrives Too Late?

If the university’s deadline passes before the review is completed, it may:

• Release the place

• Continue holding it voluntarily

• Offer another course

• Ask you to reapply

• Consider you through Clearing if space remains

This is why you should:

1. Submit the request as early as possible.

2. Tell the university immediately.

3. Ask for its exact deadline.

4. Continue exploring alternatives.

5. Send the outcome as soon as it arrives.

The 15-day review target does not guarantee that the university will continue holding your place for the full period.

What If You Still Disagree with the Result?

A review of marking is usually the first formal challenge to the original marking.

If you and your school still believe the review outcome is wrong, the school may be able to appeal to the awarding organisation.

An appeal considers whether:

• The review was carried out properly

• The awarding organisation followed its procedures

• A marking error remains

• Another relevant procedural error occurred

Private candidates may be able to submit an appeal about a review of marking directly to the awarding organisation.

Can You Appeal Directly to Ofqual?

Not immediately.

For eligible qualifications, the awarding organisation’s full appeal process must normally be completed first.

After that, the school, college or private candidate may be able to apply to Ofqual’s Exam Procedures Review Service.

The EPRS checks whether the awarding organisation followed its procedures and Ofqual’s rules. Ofqual does not remark the student’s paper or directly award a new grade.

Priority Review Decision Guide

A priority review may be worth considering when:

• Your university place depends on one grade.

• You are close to the required boundary.

• Your school has identified a possible marking error.

• The university may hold the place.

• The potential benefit justifies the cost and risk.

• You understand that the mark can fall.

• The request can be submitted before the deadline.

Be cautious when:

• You want a review only because the result is disappointing.

• No teacher has examined the script or mark profile.

• You are far below the required grade.

• The university has confirmed that it will not reconsider you.

• A lower mark could damage another offer.

• You do not understand the consent form.

• The deadline is about to pass and nobody has contacted the university.

A normal review may be more appropriate when:

• No time-sensitive university or college place depends on the outcome.

• The qualification is needed for future applications rather than immediate entry.

• The priority service is unavailable for your qualification.

• The normal turnaround is sufficient.

Priority Review Step-by-Step

Step 1: Check UCAS

Find out whether:

• Your firm accepted you anyway

• Your insurance accepted you

• The decision is pending

• You are in Clearing

Do not request a review unnecessarily when your preferred place has already been confirmed.

Step 2: Collect Your Results

Check:

• Subject grade

• Component marks

• Distance from the grade boundary

• Any missing result

Step 3: Speak to Your School

Ask:

• Does the result look unexpected?

• Can the script be accessed?

• Which component should be reviewed?

• Is a clerical check or Service 2 appropriate?

• What is the internal deadline?

• What is the fee?

Step 4: Contact the University

Ask whether it will hold your place and until when.

Step 5: Review the Evidence

Consider:

• Script

• Mark breakdown

• Teacher judgement

• Marks needed

• Risk of a decrease

• University response

Step 6: Give Written Consent

Confirm that you understand your mark and grade can fall.

Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline

For summer 2026 A-Levels, the awarding body must receive the request by 20 August 2026.

Step 8: Keep Exploring Alternatives

Research your insurance place, Clearing, foundation years and other routes.

Step 9: Send the Outcome Immediately

Provide official evidence to the university as soon as it arrives.

Priority Review Checklist

Before Results Day

• Know your firm offer.

• Know your insurance offer.

• Check subject-specific conditions.

• Find your school’s post-results policy.

• Confirm who will be available on Results Day.

• Save university admissions details.

• Research backup courses.

On Results Day

• Check UCAS Hub.

• Collect all results.

• Check component marks.

• Speak to a subject teacher.

• Ask about script access.

• Contact the university.

• Confirm the school’s deadline.

• Begin researching Clearing.

Before submitting

• Identify the paper or component.

• Check marks needed.

• Review available evidence.

• Understand the mark can fall.

• Check the fee.

• Obtain university guidance.

• Give written consent.

• Keep a copy of the request.

While waiting

• Keep checking emails.

• Keep the university informed.

• Explore Clearing.

• Check accommodation.

• Note alternative-offer deadlines.

• Avoid assuming the grade will change.

When the outcome arrives

• Read the revised mark.

• Check the final grade.

• Contact the university immediately.

• Send official evidence.

• Update any other university.

• Review student finance and accommodation.

• Ask about an appeal where appropriate.

Common Priority Review Mistakes

Assuming It Is a Complete Remark

The reviewer checks the original marking for errors. They do not simply award a new mark from scratch.

Requesting One Only Because You Are Close to a Boundary

Closeness does not prove an error.

Missing the Deadline

The 2026 priority deadline is only seven days after A-Level Results Day.

Assuming the University Will Wait

Universities are not required to hold places during reviews.

Failing to Tell the University

The exam board does not tell the university that a review has been requested.

Believing the Mark Can Only Rise

It can increase, decrease or remain unchanged.

Reviewing Every Paper Automatically

Focus on components where there is evidence of a possible error.

Waiting for the Review Before Exploring Clearing

Develop a backup plan at the same time.

Treating Predicted Grades as Evidence of Incorrect Marking

A lower-than-predicted grade does not automatically mean an error occurred.

Ignoring the Cost

Check the board and school’s fee arrangements before agreeing.

Letting a Parent Try to Submit Directly

Internal candidates normally apply through their centre.

Assuming a Higher Grade Automatically Restores the Place

The university must still have space or have agreed to hold it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Priority Reviews of Marking

What is a priority review of marking?

It is a faster review of the original marking for students whose further or higher education place depends on the outcome.

Is it the same as a remark?

Not exactly. The reviewer checks the original marking and corrects identified errors rather than simply marking the whole paper again.

Who can request a priority review?

It is mainly used for A-Level and other eligible Level 3 candidates whose progression place depends on the grade.

Can GCSE students request a priority review?

Priority services for GCSEs are more limited and differ by awarding body. Check the current exam-board rules. The standard priority service is available across awarding bodies for AS and A-Level results.

Who submits the request?

Your school, college or exam centre normally submits it. Private candidates may be able to apply directly.

Can a parent request it?

A parent can support the process, but the request for an internal candidate is normally made by the school or college.

Do I need to give permission?

Yes. Written consent is required because the mark and grade may decrease.

Can my mark go down?

Yes. It can rise, fall or remain unchanged.

Can my overall grade go down?

Yes, when a lower reviewed mark crosses a qualification grade boundary.

What is the deadline for 2026 A-Level priority reviews?

The awarding body must receive the request by 20 August 2026.

Can my school set an earlier deadline?

Yes. It needs time to advise you, obtain consent and submit the request.

How long does a priority review take?

The awarding body’s completion target is within 15 calendar days of receiving the request.

When should the result arrive for university admission?

Awarding organisations aim to complete priority reviews by 3 September 2026. UCAS says many universities expect outcomes by 2 September, so ask your university for its individual deadline.

Does the university have to hold my place?

No. It may choose to hold it, but it is not obliged to do so.

Should I tell the university?

Yes. Tell it immediately and ask for its deadline and evidence requirements.

Does the exam board tell UCAS about the request?

No. It will tell UCAS if the final grade changes, but it does not notify UCAS that a review is pending.

Should I explore Clearing while waiting?

Yes. A review may not change the grade, and the university may not hold your place.

Can I receive Clearing offers while waiting?

You can contact universities and discuss possible offers. The effect of formally accepting one depends on your UCAS status, so seek advice before making the change.

Should I request a review when I am one mark below?

Possibly, but being one mark below does not prove an error. Ask a teacher to review the available evidence.

What if I am ten marks below?

A review remains possible, but the required increase is larger. Discuss whether the script contains evidence of errors.

Can I see my paper first?

Your school may use Access to Scripts to obtain it, subject to the exam board’s process and the short priority deadline.

Do I need to review every paper?

No. You and your school can consider which components show evidence of a possible marking error.

How much does it cost?

Fees vary between awarding bodies and services. Ask your school or check the awarding body’s published fees.

Is the fee refunded when the grade changes?

Ofqual states that there should be no fee where the qualification grade changes following the review.

What if my school refuses?

Ask for the school’s internal appeal process. Schools must provide students with an opportunity to appeal a decision not to request a review.

Can I apply directly if the school refuses?

Normally not as an internal candidate. Private candidates may be able to apply directly to the exam board.

What if my mark rises but my grade stays the same?

Your official mark changes, but the same qualification grade remains. This may not satisfy a higher university offer.

What if my grade rises?

Send the result to your university immediately. It may confirm the place if it held it or still has capacity.

What if my grade stays the same?

Continue with your insurance place, Clearing offer or another route.

What if my grade falls?

The reduced result becomes official and may affect other offers or requirements.

Can I appeal after the review?

Your school may be able to appeal the awarding organisation’s review decision. The exam board’s appeal process must normally be completed before an eligible case can go to Ofqual’s EPRS.

Does Ofqual remark the paper?

No. The EPRS checks whether the awarding organisation followed the correct procedures. Ofqual does not remark the script or directly change the grade.

Can I resit instead?

Yes. Most A-Level resits take place in the following summer exam series.

Final Thoughts on Priority Reviews of Marking

A priority review can be valuable when a possible marking error stands between you and a university place.

However, it should be treated as an evidence-based decision rather than a final roll of the academic dice.

Follow this order:

1. Check your UCAS status.

2. Collect your results and component marks.

3. Speak to your school immediately.

4. Ask whether the script indicates a possible error.

5. Contact the university.

6. Find out whether it will hold your place.

7. Understand that the mark can fall.

8. Submit before the school and exam-board deadlines.

9. Continue exploring Clearing and other options.

10. Send the outcome to the university immediately.

For summer 2026 A-Levels, the exam board must receive your priority request by 20 August 2026. That leaves very little time for optimistic waiting, repeated discussion or hoping that somebody else has started the process.

A priority review is not appropriate simply because the grade is disappointing or close to a boundary.

But when a teacher can identify a possible error and a university place depends on the outcome, it provides a formal and accelerated route for getting the marking checked.

Continue with What If You Miss Your UCAS Offer? [What If You Miss Your UCAS Offer?], What Happens on A-Level Results Day? [What Happens on A-Level Results Day?], A-Level Results Day Survival Guide [A-Level Results Day Survival Guide], Firm and Insurance Choices Explained [Firm and Insurance Choices Explained] and Can You Get In With Lower Grades? [Can You Get In With Lower Grades?].