There were more than 90,000 grade changes to GCSE and A-level exam results this summer, after scores were challenged, the highest number on record and a rise of 17 per cent on 2014.
There were also a staggering 572,350 queries made over grades, an increase of 27 per cent from last year.
The challenges this summer resulted in approximately 62,000 GCSE grade changes, and 28,500 A-level grade changes.
Five years ago, there were just 190,000 queries, and 34,800 grades changed, showing just how much the situation has worsened over a short period of time, which is worrying news for students and parents.
Head teachers have complained about the poor quality of marking, and the damaging effect it has when students are given incorrect grades. A consultation about overhauling the appeals system is being launched by Ofqual.
Chris King, chair of the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference (HMC), said: “Every child sitting an exam deserves to trust that their paper will be marked accurately. So it is very disappointing to see yet another huge upsurge in false GCSE and A-level grades.”
“The implications for pupils are grave. For some it has meant they have wrongly missed out on a place at their preferred sixth form, further education college or university of their choice.”