Ofqual has released new data on grading appeals in the 2019-20 academic year, showing that 4 in 5 (80 per cent) of GCSE and A-level grades changed upon appeal. 

One in three GCSE grades changed for upheld appeals - 33 per cent - changed by one grade.

GCSEs 2021: Teachers relieved of appeals burden

GCSEs 2021: Teacher assessed grades get green light

Exams 2021: ‘Excessive grade inflation’ warning

But a small proportion of GCSE grades changed very drastically: in 15 cases, appeals led to a change of six grades, while in 85 cases, appeals changed by 4 grades.

While 80 per cent of appeals were upheld in 2019-20, just 52 per cent of appeals were upheld in 2018-19, although Ofqual says the extraordinary arrangements for grading and appeals in summer 2020 make it difficult to compare across years. 

In April, Ofqual chair Ian Bauckham said that appeals this year will “take longer” than in normal years, as there may be more evidence to review this year and that this will look different from one school centre to the next.