The number of pupils appealing their exam results rose sharply last summer after changes were made to how grades could be awarded due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
New data released by national exam regulator Ofqual shows students across England lodged 16,000 appeals against GCSE, AS and A level grades in summer 2021, four time the appeals received in the previous year.
In 2021, students received their grades based on teacher assessment rather than exam results for the second year in a row due to the disruption to learning caused by Covid-19.
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The North East was amongst the highest for increase in appeals by region, with a total increase of 350%, the third highest in the country.
The North West had the second highest rise with 405%, with London seeing the highest with 496% more appeals.
As part of the new system, every pupil had the right to appeal their grade if they wished.
The most common reason for appeals across both nations was “unreasonable exercise of academic judgement”.
The Department for Education (DfE) therefore cautioned against making comparisons with previous years due to the revised assessment and appeals process.
Each appeal could first be upheld after a review by the school or college, or then by the exam board awarding the mark.
Across England, 5,760 (36%) of the appeals were upheld, leading to 6,000 grades being changed.
The number of appeals in England does not match the number of grades changed because students are awarded two grades for GCSE combined science.
Despite the increase in appeals, the number of grades changed as result still only represented a tiny fraction of all those awarded.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said it had been a “difficult task” for schools to award grades to their students.
He added: “Leaders and teachers stepped up to the plate admirably and did a fantastic job in extremely difficult circumstances, but it was inevitable that there would be more appeals than in normal years because the system for awarding grades was accompanied by a completely different and very accessible appeals process.”
Ministers in England and Wales have said exams should go ahead as normal this summer.
But there will also be adjustments, such as schools being given advance notice on exam topics to make up for the continuing disruption to education.
Mr Barton said: “Providing them with advance information on the content of exams will help them focus their studies during the coming weeks as they prepare for these important exams.
“It is essential that these adaptations provide clarity and reassurance to students, parents and teachers.”
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