Results Services 2015 Going forward …

Purpose: Provide an overview of Results Services in 2014 Outline changes being implemented to the Exceptional Circumstance Consideration Service and Post Result Services in 2015 Confirm key dates and support available

2014 Overview Service open to all candidates. Centres used professional judgement when submitting requests. On-line system worked well. All key timelines achieved by SQA. Operational review for 2015.

Exceptional Circumstance Consideration Service Total personal circumstances requests received Total exam circumstances requests received Total requests 2,5431,2023,745

Post Results Services ServiceTotal requests Clerical Checks169 Priority Marking Review341 Marking Review7,938 Total8, % of eligible entries requested a Post Results Services  1.5% requested a Marking Review  0.1% requested a Priority Marking Review  Less than 0.05% requested a Clerical Check 25.7% of the 8,448 requests resulted in a grade change. 2,175 grades were changed – 2,172 upgraded/3 downgraded

Exceptional Circumstances 2015 Updated Information for Centres Guide to be published in March 2015 and System Users Guide to be published in March 2015 via SQA Connect. Audit arrangements will be “front ended”. SQA will challenge all Examination Exceptional Circumstance requests and reserve the right to cancel requests. Review panel will consider requests to be challenged. Chief Invigilator reports must be part of evidence submitted by centres to justify Examination Exceptional Circumstance requests. Personal Exceptional Circumstance requests will be randomly selected for audit purposes.

No component marks or feedback for No Awards provided. All evidence submitted for Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service requests will be retained by SQA for at least 12 months. Centres can request for evidence to be returned after this time. Centres must retain evidence in order to support the candidates’ rights in relation to potential appeals or complaints. Centre can appeal grade awarded, details provided within the Exceptional Circumstance Consideration Service: Information for Centres publication. Appeal decision is final. The Exceptional Circumstance Consideration Service will remain a free service.

Exceptional Circumstance Consideration Service in 2015 Service opens on 14 April Estimates must be submitted before any Exceptional Circumstances Consideration requests are submitted. Closing date will be 10 working days after the exam. Evidence received 3 days thereafter. Chief Invigilators being briefed on the importance of their report to support Examination Exceptional Circumstance Consideration requests. Candidate approval to submit an Exceptional Circumstance Consideration request must be held by the Centre. Evidence submitted must include the Centre’s instrument of assessment, as appropriate.

Examples of Exceptional Circumstances Personal Circumstances  Bereavement  Illness Examination Circumstances  Fire alarms  Faulty equipment

Post Result Services 2015 Additional quality assurance checks in 2015 for traditionally marked scripts. E-marking will cover more than 70% of scripts including all at National 5 and most new Highers. 3 Services will continue to be offered;  Priority Marking Review  Clerical Checks  Marking Review Fees charged will not increase.

No policy changes  Marking Review to continue – no remarking  Changes to grades only, not bands  Exam scripts will not be returned  Cohort review will not be introduced

Key Dates 2015 Exceptional Circumstance Consideration Service open-14 April Exam Results Issued to centres-30 July Post Results Services open-4 August Candidates receive results-4 August Priority Marking Reviews close-19 August Clerical Checks / Marking Reviews close-26 August Priority Marking Review results issued-28 August Clerical Checks / Marking Review results issued-30 September Please note late requests will not be accepted and requests will only be accepted from Centres

Customer Support Updated Centre Guides published online. Updated FAQs published on SQA website to support teachers, candidates and parents ( Exceptional Circumstances Helpline opens – 14 April Post Results Helpline opens – 4 August Your Exams 2015 Guide for Candidates updated (published March 2015) Local CfE Support Managers available to answer questions.

Questions?