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Reviews of marking and appeals when your place depends on it
If you miss your offer and think a mark is wrong, ask your school or college about a priority review of marking (A levels and similar) or a priority appeal (Scotland) on results day. Deadlines are short, and grades can go down as well as up.
Checked against official sources on 25 September 2026.
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A levels and other JCQ exams (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Who asks: your school or college requests the review, with your consent.
- Priority review: for students whose university place depends on the outcome. Ofqual says awarding bodies aimed to complete priority reviews by 3 September in 2026, UCAS’s advisory deadline for universities to hold places.
- Deadline: the priority review deadline was 20 August in 2026. AQA gives 19 August 2027 for the June 2027 exams, and 24 September 2027 for standard reviews. Check with your school: it may set an earlier internal deadline.
- Cost: each exam board sets its own fees. For example, AQA lists £61.70 per A level component for a priority review. Ofqual says there is no fee if your grade changes.
- Result: your mark can be lowered, confirmed or raised. The board tells UCAS if your grade changes.
Scotland (Qualifications Scotland)
- The appeals service is free, and you can use it yourself or through your school.
- Appeals can be prioritised if you have a conditional university offer.
- In 2026: 11 August was the last day for you to request a priority appeal, 20 August for your school, and decisions went out on 31 August. 2027 dates are not published yet.
What happens to your university place
- Tell your firm choice that you have asked for a review, and ask whether it will hold your place.
- If it agrees, keep it updated.
- UCAS advises you to look for places in Clearing at the same time, in case the university cannot hold your place or the review does not change your grade.
Most universities need final results by early September: in 2026, UCAS’s advisory deadline for universities to hold places open was 3 September (Ofqual). If your grade goes up after that, contact the university straight away and ask what it can offer.
Is it worth asking?
Talk to your teacher. A review is most worth considering if your mark is close to a grade boundary and the grade decides your place. Remember that grades can go down.
Sources
- Ofqual: what to do if you think there is a mistake in your results
- AQA: reviews and priority reviews of marking
- Qualifications Scotland: results and appeals 2026
- UCAS: appealing your grades
- UCAS: dates and deadlines for 2027 entry
Quick answers
What is a priority review of marking?
A faster review of an exam mark for students whose university place depends on the result. Your school or college requests it.
What is the deadline for a priority review in 2027?
AQA gives 19 August 2027 for the June 2027 exams. Other boards publish their own dates; check with your school or college.
Can my grade go down after a review?
Yes. Ofqual says your grade can stay the same, go up or go down.
Is the Scottish appeals service free?
Yes. Qualifications Scotland runs a free appeals service, with priority appeals for students with conditional offers.