Results Day Support: Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an official re-mark?

No. Top Class Learning provides an independent analysis of the student’s result or examination script.

Only the relevant awarding organisation can conduct an official clerical re-check, review of marking or appeal. For students entered through a school or college, the formal request must normally be submitted by that examination centre.

 

What is the difference between a script analysis and a review of marking?

A Top Class Learning script analysis is an independent professional opinion intended to help you decide what to do next.

A formal review of marking is conducted by the awarding organisation. It checks whether the original mark scheme was applied correctly. It is not a completely new re-mark of the paper.

 

Can Top Class Learning submit the request for us?

No. If the student was entered through a school or college, you will normally need to contact its examinations officer. The school or college will explain its procedures, fees, consent requirements and internal deadlines.

Private candidates should contact the examination centre through which they were entered.

 

Should we obtain the examination scripts first?

Where time allows, obtaining the marked scripts can provide much better evidence for deciding whether to request a formal review.

Ask the school or college whether it can request a priority copy of the student’s marked paper. You should do this promptly because examination centres may impose internal deadlines.

If an A-Level student has a university place pending, contact the school or college immediately. It may be necessary to discuss a priority review without waiting for a standard script analysis.

 

What documents do you need?

Depending on the service purchased, we may ask for:

• the student’s results statement;

• overall and component marks;

• the exam board and specification;

• the relevant marked examination scripts;

• the published grade boundaries;

• the grade the student required;

• relevant school or college correspondence;

• the examination centre’s internal deadline.

We cannot complete a reliable analysis without the necessary information.

 

Does being one or two marks below a grade boundary mean we should request a review?

Not automatically.

Proximity to a boundary tells you how many additional marks would be needed to change the grade, but it does not establish that the original marking was incorrect. A review is more likely to be worth discussing when there is evidence that the mark scheme may not have been applied correctly.

Our script-analysis service is designed to help you consider that evidence.

 

Can you tell us exactly what mark the paper should have received?

We may provide an indicative professional view of particular responses, but we will not promise an exact replacement mark.

Marking involves professional judgement, and only the awarding organisation can determine the official outcome. Our purpose is to identify whether there appear to be reasonable grounds for discussing a review, not to guarantee a particular mark.

 

Can the mark or grade decrease?

Yes. Following a formal clerical re-check, review of marking or appeal, the student’s mark and grade may decrease, remain unchanged or increase.

The student will normally be required to provide written consent confirming that they understand this risk.

 

Can you guarantee that the grade will change?

No. No independent tutor or consultancy can guarantee the outcome of an awarding organisation’s process.

We guarantee that the information supplied will be considered carefully by an appropriately experienced English specialist. We do not guarantee that a formal review will be accepted or that a mark or grade will increase.

 

Who completes the analysis?

The work will be allocated to a qualified English teacher with relevant specification, assessment or examining expertise.

Our tutors act independently. They do not represent the awarding organisation when providing this service and do not use confidential examining information.

 

Which qualifications can you consider?

Subject to specialist availability, we can provide support relating to:

• GCSE English Language;

• GCSE English Literature;

• International GCSE English Language;

• International GCSE English Literature;

• A-Level English Literature;

• A-Level English Language;

• A-Level English Language and Literature;

• relevant international English qualifications.

We will confirm that we have an appropriately experienced specialist before beginning the analysis.

 

How quickly will I receive the analysis?

Our standard target is within two working days of receiving all required documents and information.

Turnaround begins once we have confirmed that the submission is complete. During particularly busy periods, availability may be limited. Any applicable deadline will be confirmed before we begin work.

 

What if the school’s deadline is very close?

Contact the school or college immediately. Do not wait for our analysis before establishing the examination centre’s deadline and available options.

Please tell us the deadline when submitting your information. We will confirm whether we can complete the work in time, but purchasing the service does not extend the school’s or awarding organisation’s deadline.

 

What if an A-Level result is affecting a university place?

Contact the school or college and the relevant university immediately.

Priority procedures and short deadlines may apply. Do not delay those conversations while waiting for a Top Class Learning appointment or analysis.

 

Are examination-board fees included?

No. Our fee covers Top Class Learning’s independent consultation or analysis.

Any fee charged by the awarding organisation, school, college or examination centre for accessing scripts, conducting a clerical re-check or reviewing the marking is separate.

 

What will I receive after a script analysis?

You will receive a written summary explaining:

• the evidence considered;

• relevant strengths in the responses;

• any areas that may merit closer consideration;

• whether the marking appears broadly secure;

• the potential risks and benefits of a formal review;

• our recommended next steps;

• questions you may wish to ask the school or college.

The two-paper package also includes a 20-minute follow-up consultation.

 

What happens if you cannot accept the paper?

If we identify that the qualification or specification falls outside the expertise of our available tutors, we will tell you before beginning the analysis.

If payment has already been made and we cannot provide the purchased service, the relevant fee will be refunded.

 

Can you advise us about a resit?

Yes. We can help families consider whether a resit is appropriate and assess the student’s priorities for future preparation.

For UK GCSE qualifications, a November resit is normally available for GCSE English Language to eligible students. GCSE English Literature and most other subjects are normally taken again during the following summer examination series. Availability, eligibility and entry arrangements must be confirmed with the school, college or examination centre.

 

Can Top Class Learning arrange the resit entry?

Top Class Learning provides tuition and educational guidance but does not act as an examination centre.

The family is responsible for arranging the examination entry through a school, college or approved private-candidate centre.

 

What happens if the official review does not change the mark?

Top Class Learning’s fee covers the independent analysis and guidance provided, not the outcome of a later awarding-organisation process.

A refund will not be due simply because the official mark or grade remains unchanged.

 

How will the student’s documents be handled?

Results statements, examination scripts and personal information will be used only for providing the requested service and associated administration.

Documents will be handled in accordance with Top Class Learning’s Privacy Policy and retained only for as long as reasonably necessary.

 

How do we get started?

Choose the appropriate service and complete the secure information form.

If you are unsure which service you need, book a Results Day Next-Steps Consultation before purchasing a script-analysis package.