GCSE and A’level results have ended an anxious wait for many (Picture: Getty Images)

Those waiting anxiously for their GCSE and A’level results have now received them – and while the proportion of those receiving top GCSE grades has dropped by 4.3% from 2022, it remains higher than pre-pandemic times.

More than a fifth (22.0%) achieved at least an A grade, or a 7 according to the new system, down from the 26.3% who achieved the same in 2022.

But while many have been celebrating their achievements – with A’level students finding out their results on August 17 and GCSE students a week later on August 24 – others may have been left disappointed when they opened those all-important envelopes.

If you don’t get the grades that you were hoping for, then there is still time to appeal.

But how can you go about making this request?

Here is everything you need to know.

How to appeal your GCSE or A-level results

You may decide to challenge a result if:

Your school or college made an error when sending information to the exam board

Your school or college believes the result is incorrect

You have proof of wrongdoing against you

Pupils in England are able to appeal GCSE, AS, and A-level result within the deadlines set by their school or college.

This can be done by contacting your school or college to request a review of a grade you are concerned about.

Exam results are allowed to be appealed (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Exam board result appeals

The gov.uk website states ‘Contact your school or college to challenge a GCSE, AS level or A-level grade. They can request that the exam board reviews the marking of your exam entry.

‘If you are a private candidate, you can contact the exam board directly, or contact the school or college that submitted your exam entry.’

Each exam board must set and publish its own timelines, including the deadlines by which requests for a review, or an appeal must be received, according to the government website.

So, you will need to check the respective exam aboard, but most applications must be made within 15 working days of receiving your results.

Exams were held in schools for the first time this year since the pandemic began (Picture: Getty)

Your work won’t be re-marked but the exam board will look at the evidence provided by your school or college and assess whether you were given a reasonable grade.

Appeals typically take no longer than four weeks.

If you’re reviewing or appealing results, you should contact your college, sixth form, or university and let them know as soon as possible – they may agree to hold your place until a decision has been made.

It is worth noting that as well as the potential for your grade to be raised, it can also be lower than the original.

Gov.uk goes on to state that you may have to pay a fee if you request a review but your grade is not changed as a result. It advises you to check this with your school or college before they contact the exam board.

More: School

Ofqual result appeals

If you’re unconvinced about the way the exam board has dealt with your appeal, you can take it a step higher to exam regulator Ofqual.

Note that this can only be done once you’ve had the outcome from your exam board appeal.

From the date of that outcome, you have 21 days to apply for this final appeal.

To process your appeal, they need to ensure that you have a final appeal decision from the exam board.

The contact information and appeal email contents required can be found on the government website.

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Don’t fret if your GCSE or A-level results aren’t what you expected.