SQA School Co-ordinator Conference June 2014 Results Services

 Now operational.  Two parts - Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service - Post-result Services (Clerical Check / Marking Review).  On-line service via the SQA Connect Portal.

Communication  Announced January 2012  Launched June 2013 at Co-ordinator events.  Generic Information leaflet.  Letter and leaflet sent to every candidate.  ‘Beyond the Exam’ DVD.  Your Exam Guide.

Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service  Service opened on 22 April Schools are using the service and the new software system successfully.  Estimates are required to use the service.

 Request must be approved by the Head Teacher.  Use for exceptional Personal or Examination circumstances.  Evidence to support the request must be retained by the school as post examination diet schools who use the service may be audited. Hold evidence until end November 2014.

Exceptional Circumstances – General Principles  Subject Specialist review of all evidence  No longer a post-certification Appeals Service  Generic advice for centres  Predictive value of all the evidence against the requirements of the Course Assessment  Candidates awarded appropriate grade – evidence not rejected based on a ‘technical flaw’

Types of evidence  Class Tests  Coursework  Mock Test  Unit Assessments

Review Process For each candidate, the Examiner will review:  All Alternative Evidence  Any completed or partially completed Question Paper  Any non-Question Paper components  Statistical information (Estimates vs Results) Once completed, the Examiner will then award the appropriate grade

Summary  The reason for the request is exceptional.  The reason for the request falls into one of the approved categories.  The candidate’s performance has been potentially affected by the circumstances.

 Appropriate documentation is held to support the reason.  The Head Teacher has approved the request.  The request is made within 10 working days of the examination.

Exceptional Circumstances – Key Dates AprilSystem Opens Closing date for all requests is 10 working days after the examination for which the request is being made. Receipt of evidence – 3 working days after the qualification request closing date 31 JulyResults advised to centres under embargo. 5 August-Candidates receive their results and certificates -Feedback for unsuccessful requests available online at SQA Connect (Grade 8 / 9 candidates only). 26 SeptemberClosing date for return of evidence requests. 8 DecemberEvidence returned.

Example – Higher French DateProcess 22 April 2014 Results Services system opens for requests A request for Higher French can be submitted on SQA from this date (Estimate must be in SQA system!) Evidence for Higher French can be posted to SQA from this date. 14 May 2014 Date of Higher French exam 28 May 2014 Date by which a request for Higher French must be made. (10 working days after the examination). 2 June 2014 Date by which evidence in support of the request for Higher French must be received at SQA (3 working days after the request window closes).

Post-result Services  A significant change from previous arrangements!  Open to all candidates  No consideration of alternative evidence.  Grades can go up and down.  Charges will be applied to all unsuccessful requests.  Two services available- Clerical Check - Marking Review  Only applicable to certificated Grades, not Bands.

Clerical Check  SQA will check that -All parts of the script have been marked -The marks given for each answer on the script have been totalled correctly. -The correct total / result was entered onto the computer system and evaluated to produce the correct grade.  E-marked subjects not eligible for Clerical Check.  A charge will be made for every unsuccessful request.

Marking Review  A review of the candidate’s examination script, includes -a Clerical Check -A review by a senior member of the subject examining team to confirm that the marks the candidate was given for each externally assessed component was in line with the national standard.  Only requests from Head Teachers via SQA Connect will be accepted. Requests cannot be accepted from candidates or parents / carers.  A charge will be made for every unsuccessful request where no change is made to a candidate’s grade.

Using Post-result Services  Schools must exercise professional judgement -Sense check estimates in light of actual results. -Failure to achieve higher grade by a few marks?  Building confidence in consistency of marking.  Enhanced quality assurance procedures pre-certification.

Implementing Post-result Services  Consistent, fair and equitable implementation of services.  Avoid parental pressure or ability to pay.

The Herald 8 May 2014

 Local authority / school ‘criteria’ developed that clearly state the reasons schools will not request a clerical check or marking review.  The school should have clear and compelling evidence that there is a reasonable possibility that an error may have occurred with the marking or totalling of marks in a candidate’s script. Where the candidate’s final grade is markedly at odds with the totality of assessment evidence gathered during the year and out of line with the performance of other candidates with similar profiles.  Draft model criteria published by SQA to support schools. Criteria can be amended to reflect policy of school / local authority.

Creating a Post-result Services request

Marking Review requests for multiple candidates for the same subject Full details appear on page 5 of the PRS Guidance Identify and submit requests for 6 candidates or 10% of cohort Contact the PRS Helpdesk SQA Examiners will review your selection Depending on the review we may review a second sample Where a second sample is reviewed: a)there will be no charge for the first sample b)there will be no charge for unsuccessful reviews c)grades can only be confirmed or raised d)grades will not be lowered

Select the candidates

Approve a Post-result Services request

Viewing your results

Post-result Services results

Timelines 2014 DateProcess 5 AugustPost-result Services opens online at SQA Connect. 20 AugustClosing date for Priority requests for candidates with a conditional University / College place. 27 AugustClosing date for all Post-result Services. System closes and no late requests considered. 29 AugustPriority request decisions notified to UCAS.

Still unhappy with the academic decision of SQA? -There is no appeal available and the decision made is final.

Summary: Before submitting a Clerical Check or Marking Review request, schools must ensure that:  The candidate has given permission for a request to be made on their behalf  The candidate is aware that their grade could go up or down  The request is being submitted within the published time frame (late requests will not be considered)

 They know a charge will be applicable to all unsuccessful requests  The Head Teacher has approved the request  The request meets the criteria agreed by the school / local authority for submitting appropriate requests

Charges 2014 Charge per each request:  Clerical Check -£10.00  Marking Review -£29.75  Priority Marking Review -£39.75

Support  Helplines available to offer guidance and support  User Guides published including user guide to online system  Local CfE Support Manager  Webinars