Charlotte Woolton, Assessment Standards Manager and Sam Orciel, Lead Subject Advisor

At Cambridge OCR our primary focus is always on ensuring that students’ results are accurate. We have many checks across each exam series, including strengthening of mark schemes and rigorous standardisation of scripts, to ensure consistency and fairness in marking. 

On occasion, however, a student, teacher or parent might be concerned about the mark or grade that’s been given. This is when a review of marking or review of moderation can be requested, and we’ll explain how these work in this blog.

Exam results: access to scripts and reviews of results

From results day, centres can access exam scripts using our access to scripts service. After receiving written permission from a candidate, teachers can download a copy of each candidate’s script and see the mark given for each question. They can then check them against the mark scheme and evaluate whether the marks are accurate. 

A review of results must be requested by a candidate’s centre, so teachers and students should contact their exams officer if they wish to submit a request. There is an exception for private candidates, who may request access to scripts or a review of results directly from Cambridge OCR. 

When completing a review of results, a standardised examiner who has not seen the script before will carefully check the marking of the original examiner.

• This is not a ‘re-mark’: it is an additional review to ensure that the mark scheme was originally applied in a reasonable way.
• If an error is found, then the mark given will change. Marks can go up or down.
• Your centre will be notified of the results as soon as possible.

We also offer priority reviews for candidates whose university or college place is dependent on the outcome. 

If a candidate is still not satisfied with the outcome following a review of results, the candidate’s centre may lodge an appeal, explaining why they believe the marking should be looked at again (known as the ‘grounds for appeal’). 

In an appeal, the marking will be scrutinised by a senior examiner, and their feedback will have an additional check from a subject specialist before it is returned to the centre. As with a review of results, if an error is found, then the mark given will change.

Non-exam assessment results: reviews of moderation

There are times when our moderators must adjust a centre’s marks for non-exam assessment (NEA). Moderators check that the mark scheme has been applied consistently and fairly by the centre across the cohort and in line with nationally agreed standards. The moderator will always give detailed feedback in their moderator’s report for the centre. 

If a centre has had their marks adjusted and they do not agree with the explanation in their centre’s report and want to challenge that decision, they can request a review of moderation. 

• Reviews of moderation apply to the whole cohort and cannot be requested for an individual candidate.
• A standardised moderator not previously involved in the centre's moderation will check that the original moderator applied the marking criteria accurately, and additional feedback will be provided. 
• Adjustments may be revised or the original centre marks may be reinstated.

Further information and how to apply

Our infographic summarises the options available and can help you understand what service you need. Further details on all of our post-results services and how to apply can be found on our website. 

Stay connected

If you have any questions, you can email us at support@ocr.org.uk or call us on 01223 553998. You can also sign up to subject emails to keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and resources.

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use our online form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the authors

Charlotte joined OCR in 2023, bringing with her twelve years of experience teaching mathematics in a large secondary school. Alongside her teaching responsibilities, she held leadership positions including Head of Sixth Form, supporting students throughout their educational journey. 

Prior to joining OCR in 2022, Sam spent ten years teaching a range of English qualifications in secondary schools, including as a head of department. She did this alongside completing a MSt in Advanced Subject Teaching at the University of Cambridge, specialising in A Level English curricula and pedagogy.