We undertake many checks and controls during the marking process to ensure that all exam results are accurate. The administrative review checks that all stages of the marking and results release process have been strictly followed, and is available for all session based exams.
How we ensure that exam results are accurate
ACCA undertakes many checks and controls during the marking process to ensure that all exam results are accurate.
Marking scheme
Before the marking starts, markers attend a meeting with the examiner to discuss the exam paper and agree a detailed marking scheme.
Moderation
The examiner moderates the marking process closely. There are various steps in place during this process to enable the examiner to review marked scripts. This ensures that the marking scheme is being applied consistently by all markers.
Marginal marks
The examiner also pays special attention to scripts where marginal marks have been awarded.
Specialised marking software
Checks are built in to the marking software to ensure that each question on your script has been marked, the marks have been recorded against the correct question and that the total for the final mark is correct.
Independent verification
A series of independent checks are carried out during the marking process to verify that data returned to ACCA by markers is correct.
Finalising marks
Any discrepancies found during this process are investigated and resolved before results are finalised. Once your results have been added to your student record, and your entry options have been created for the next exam session, ACCA then conducts further checks at the printing stage to ensure the printed results are accurate before they are released.
What is an administrative review?
The quality controls applied at each stage of the marking process ensure the integrity of our results data.
However, we recognise that sometimes you might feel that your results do not reflect your perceived performance in the exam. An administrative review ensures that all stages of the marking and results release processes have been adhered to in reaching your final mark.
You can request an administrative review of your results if you:
- receive an absent mark but you were present at the exam and submitted an exam paper
- were not present at an exam but received a mark for your paper
- feel that ACCA's quality controls have not been applied properly in arriving at your mark.
The administrative review allows us to ensure transparency and fairness, and is available for all qualifications that are assessed by session based exams.
What to expect from an administrative review
As part of your administrative review we will ensure all stages of the marking and results release processes have been adhered to in reaching your final mark.
Key points to note
- This is not a re-marking service. We do not offer a re-marking service.
- Marked responses for ACCA exams will not be returned during this process. These will remain property of ACCA.
- Feedback on your performance will be provided, however individual marks will not be disclosed.
The information you receive will indicate where a good understanding of a topic area has been demonstrated. This should assist with revision if you have failed an exam. Examples of what you can expect for each exam type can be found below.
Strategic Professional exams
For Strategic Professional exams, we will issue an outcome via email. This will also include a Pass or Fail status for each complete question attempted in your examination.
Applied Skills exams
For the Applied Skills exams, syllabus feedback will be issued which provides a rating for your performance by syllabus area.
Foundations in Accountancy exams
Dip IFR exams
For Dip IFR exams, we will issue an outcome via email. This will also include a Pass or Fail status for each complete question attempted in your examination.
What happens if an administrative error is found?
If an administrative error is found, your mark will be adjusted to reflect your true result. Please note that your mark may be lowered if an administrative error had inflated your original mark.
If your mark is amended as a result of the administrative review you will receive a refund of your review fee.
Your examination status and options will be updated to reflect any change to enable you to submit an online exam entry for the next session.
How to apply for an administrative review
If you would like to request an administrative review you can submit your request and pay the relevant fee using our online service at myACCA.
The fee for an administrative review is £63 per exam. This includes FIA, ACCA and Dip IFR exams.
The administrative review service is only available for session based CBEs. We are unable to provide an administrative review service for on-demand CBEs.
To view the administrative review submission deadline dates for upcoming sessions, visit the important dates section.
Video guide: Administrative review appeals
[00:03]
Welcome to this short video about mitigating circumstances.
[00:09]
In this video, we will look at what the process involves, when to submit a request and how to do it step by step.
[00:16]
If you're a student and you have already attended an exam, but your performance has been affected because of individual mitigating circumstances, or if you have been unable to finish all of your exam because of such circumstances, you can submit your request via your My ACCA account.
[00:33]
If you have been unable to take your exam at all due to exceptional circumstances, please do not submit a mitigating circumstances request.
In some cases like that, you might be able to withdraw from your exam. You can find further details on our website.
[00:50]
Let's take a look at how you can submit your mitigating circumstances request. But first, a quick note.
The link to apply for this on my ACCA portal will not become available until the first day of your exam.
We will not accept requests after the deadline.
[01:08]
You can find details of all important dates and deadlines on our website.
[01:13]
Let's see what submitting a mitigating circumstance request would look like.
Once you've logged in to your My ACCA portal, scroll down and select help to access our knowledge base, where you'll find all the guidance you need.
Choose I'm a student.
Then select exams.
Followed by exam experience.
Next select circumstances affecting exam.
[01:49]
Here you'll find an article that explains the steps for applying for mitigating circumstances that affected your exam.
Select the qualifications drop down menu, then choose qualification progress.
Scroll down to exam support.
Then choose mitigating circumstances.
[02:11]
After reading the additional information, you will need to fill in the form. All fields with an asterisk are mandatory.
First, you pick the format of your exam.
Next, at the drop down where it says sitting, choose the exam you're referring to.
The options available to you will reflect any exams you were due to take in that session.
[02:37]
On the description field, you can give the details of the reason for your request.
The character limit on the form is only 1000 characters, and you will only be able to submit the request if you are under the character limit. So please capture the main reasons you are asking us to consider your mitigation.
[02:56]
Next, you can select from a dropdown menu the category of the reason for your request.
There are 14 categories to choose from, and these include difficult personal circumstances, such as bereavement within close family circle, ill health of the student or that of close family members, unforeseen circumstances, equipment issues, slow system performance, loss of exam time due to technical issues, revoked exams, delays to the exam start time, invigilator experience, or other.
[03:34]
Next, clicking on select files allows you to upload documents to support your request as evidence, with a maximum size of 2 megabytes in a PDF, JPEG, or Word format.
You should always try to include documentary evidence whenever possible, and the documents need to be in English.
[03:55]
After you click on submit, this is the confirmation message that you will see.
You'll also receive an acknowledgement within a few minutes.
No further communication will be issued after you receive this.
[04:12]
For more information about mitigating circumstances, please visit our website.
[04:20]
This was step by step, the process of submitting a mitigating circumstance request with some information about when and how to submit it.
Thank you for watching this video.
If I am unhappy with my administrative review outcome, what are my options?
If on receipt of the outcome of your Administrative Review you believe that ACCA has not applied its procedures properly, you may appeal to the Examinations Appeals Committee.
To do this, you should email your appeal request as outlined in your Administrative Review feedback email. The relevant fee will then be raised on your account which must be paid online prior to the appeal submission deadline.
The appeal fee is £60 per exam and to view the appeal submission deadlines dates for upcoming sessions, visit the important dates section. Your request to appeal will then be forwarded to the Committee for consideration.
The appeals process is not a re-marking service and you will not receive any further feedback on your examination performance other than what was previously stated in your feedback email. The Committee will undertake independent checks to confirm all stages of the administrative review process were undertaken and the correct mark was in fact issued to you.
