§ Lord Smith of Cliftonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the number of remarkings, both upwards and downwards, of the initial gradings awarded at GCE A-level examinations in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) England and Wales for 1997, 1998 and 1999. [HL18]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)In 1998, 2.3 per cent of A-level entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were the subject of an inquiry, with 11 per cent of those enquiries resulting in a grade change. Under current rules, re-marks cannot result in a lower grade. Figures for 1997 are unavailable because the systematic collection of the relevant data was not instigated until 1998. Figures for 1999 will be available early next year. Separate figures for Northern Ireland, England and Wales are not available.