Pupils miss out due to erratic marking

PUPILS could miss out on university places due to inconsistent marking in GCSE and A-level exams, teachers warn.

The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) said examiners can interpret marking schemes differently – particularly in subjective topics.

Recent research by exams regulator Ofqual found there may be inconsistency in around 30 per cent of English grades and 40 per cent of history grades. HMC said this could mean a candidate’s chance of getting good grades could depend on who marks their paper.

This could harm their life chances as they rely on grades for university and job offers. HMC chairman Chris King said the ‘size of the problem is unnerving’.

Ofqual said its research looked at interpretation of marking schemes, not marking accuracy.