SQA Appeals Information 2024
The Appeals Service in 2024 is similar to that of 2023. If any National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher candidates are unhappy with their grade, they can request a remark of their SQA exam papers and any externally assessed coursework submitted. Remarks cannot be requested if your child received an A in any subjects. Schools will not be able to submit other assessment evidence generated throughout the year, in class or in prelims, for consideration. As with previous years, the appeals service will be free of charge.
If a learner is unhappy with their grade and would like to appeal, they can do so themselves via the SQA Learner Direct portal, or they can collect a form from the school reception, sign to say they are happy to appeal, and the school can submit on their behalf. As there is always a risk that marks can go down as well as up when a paper is remarked by a different marker, it is advisable for pupils to consult their subject teacher first. Their teacher will be able to look at their exam component marks to see how well they performed in each paper, the national grade boundary marks, and how close they are to each grade boundary. Considering all of these factors is wise to ensure that if a mark does go down upon remarking, your child does not obtain a lower overall grade.
There are two different types of appeal that can be requested: priority and non-priority. Priority appeals are requested for pupils who require a particular grade as a condition for their entry to college/University. The deadline for learners to submit a priority appeal themselves via the learner direct portal is 13 August, and the school deadline to submit is 21 August. SQA will confirm outcomes to the school by 2 September and will notify UCAS by 3 September. When submitting a priority appeal request, pupils must also be able to provide contact details for the university, college, or place of employment that requires the grade information.
Non-priority appeals can also be requested by pupils directly via SQA learner direct portal before 27 August, but if done through the school, I will need to have all signed pupil appeal consent forms by latest Friday 23 August. Forms can be obtained from school reception.
Withdrawing an appeal
Learners can withdraw an appeal via the Learner Direct service by the following dates:
- Priority appeals: Tuesday (11.59 pm) 13 August
- All other appeals: Tuesday (11.59 pm) 27 August
The school can also withdraw appeals on the learner’s behalf until:
- Priority appeals: Wednesday (5 pm) 21 August
- All other appeals: Friday (5 pm) 30 August
Appeals cannot be withdrawn after the relevant submission window has passed.
Appeals outcomes
All appeals outcomes will be communicated via letter to pupils in tutor and letter to parents before the end of October 2024. Should there be any amendments to the final SQA grade, replacement certificates will be issued to learners’ home address by mid-November 2024.
For more information on appeals, please click on this link to access the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html
Requesting marked exam papers from the SQA
This year, the SQA are trialing a service whereby candidates can request for their marked exam papers to be returned to their examining centre so they can be viewed by candidates/teachers. This is only available in Geography, Graphic Communication and Music. If your child would like to look at their marked exam paper in any of these subjects, they need to fill in a form giving permission for the school to request their marked exam paper. Forms will be available from reception and should be handed in to the office/Mrs Petrie before Thursday 22 September 2024. For more information, please see the link below: