NQs: After the Examinations

Queries

During August, SQA operates centre and candidate helplines. Detailed arrangements will be sent to centres in June.

Appeals

After the exams we will send you instructions on how to send in material to support appeals. You'll also receive the stationery you need and Appeals Request Forms which list the names of candidates who have not achieved their estimated grades in the external assessment.

Remember that appeals are intended for those candidates who, for whatever reason, do not do as well as expected on the day of the examination. Though we send you a list of all candidates who have an award below your estimate (Appeals Request Forms), you should only appeal for those for whom you have clear evidence that they are able to perform significantly better than their examination result indicates.

For some subjects, we have sent out Appeals Exemplar material (this can also be accessed through the secure part of our website). Your colleagues may find it helpful to consult this material when deciding which candidates deserve an appeal. The following tests should be applied in all cases before making an appeal:

• Use all available information, eg grade descriptions, exemplar papers and guidance materials, to make sure that your estimates were realistic in the first place. If, on reflection, the estimates were generous, don't appeal.
  
  
• Check the material you plan to submit against the grade descriptions to ensure that it provides the breadth and depth of evidence required to justify an improved award. If it doesn't, don't appeal.
  
  
• In Standard Grade, don't appeal for single Elements where even a successful outcome will not affect the overall award for the subject.