At a glance
- Cambridge Nov 2026 enquiries deadline
- 26 February 2027
- Cambridge outcome time
- Normally within 30 days
- Pearson review of marking
- Within 20 calendar days
- Can marks go down?
- Yes, with both boards
- Who applies
- The school or entering centre
The main services side by side
| What you want | Cambridge | Pearson Edexcel |
|---|---|---|
| Check the marks were added up and recorded correctly | Clerical re-check: Service 1 (1S with a copy of the script) | Clerical check: Service 1, completed within 10 calendar days |
| A senior examiner checks the marking | Review of marking: Service 2 (2S with script); not available for multiple-choice papers | Review of marking: Service 2, within 20 calendar days |
| Faster review for a university deadline | Ask the school; Cambridge processes enquiries in the order received | Priority review: Service P2, within 15 calendar days |
| Coursework or internally assessed work | Re-moderation of the school's marking | Review of moderation: Service 3; grades are not lowered in the current series |
| See the marked paper first | Access to Scripts: free download for schools within a set period | Access to scripts, requested with a review (fee applies) |
Sources: Cambridge enquiries about results guide (international) 2026 and Pearson post-results services page. Checked 6 October 2026.
Deadlines for 2026-27
| Board and series | Enquiries or reviews deadline | Copies of scripts |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, June 2026 | 20 September 2026 (closed) | Free Access to Scripts until 4 October 2026 |
| Cambridge, November 2026 | 26 February 2027 | Free Access to Scripts until 12 March 2027 |
| Pearson International GCSE and IAL | Ask the school: Pearson sets completion targets per service, and schools submit through Edexcel Online | Requested alongside the review |
Sources: Cambridge key dates for June 2026 and November 2026 (international); Pearson post-results services page.
What happens to the grade
Both boards are explicit that a review is not one-way. Pearson states that after a clerical check or review of marking, a candidate's marks or grades can go up, down or stay the same, and schools must have the student's permission before applying. Cambridge says that if the new total syllabus mark gives a different grade it amends the grade, and that the percentage uniform mark can go up, go down or stay the same.
Cambridge charges an administrative fee for each enquiry, published to schools in its fees list on Cambridge International Direct, and does not charge it if the enquiry leads to a change in syllabus grade. It normally reports the outcome within 30 days of receiving the enquiry. All component enquiries for one candidate and syllabus must be submitted together, and on the same service.
If a review does not resolve the issue and there is a permitted reason, Cambridge has a two-stage appeals process set out in section 7 of the Cambridge Handbook. Pearson publishes an appeals overview on its post-results services page.
Deciding whether to ask for a review
- Ask the school for the component (paper) marks, not just the grade.
- Compare the total with the grade threshold or boundary for that exact series and variant. A total one or two marks below a boundary is a reasonable case; ten marks below is not.
- Look at the script first if you can. Cambridge's free Access to Scripts download for schools and Pearson's access to scripts service show where marks were given.
- Weigh the risk. Marks can fall, and a review costs a fee unless the grade changes (Cambridge).
- Agree with the school before its internal deadline, which will be earlier than the board's.
When to resit instead
| Qualification | Resit opportunities in 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE, AS & A Level | June 2027 (entries close February 2027), then November 2027 |
| Pearson International GCSE | May/June 2027 (entries close 21 March 2027), then November 2027 |
| Pearson International A Level | January 2027 (entries close 16 October 2026) and May/June 2027; Pearson also ran an October series in 2026 |
Sources: Cambridge 2026 calendar (international); Pearson Key Dates Table International 2026-2027. Pearson notes that IAL units can be taken in different sessions during the course.
How a tutor helps after results
Whether you choose a review or a resit, the most useful step is a clear diagnosis of where marks went. A tutor can go through a returned script with your child, separate careless errors from real gaps, and build a resit plan around the papers that cost the grade.
LiveTutor lessons are one to one and 60 minutes long, with tutors who teach the Cambridge or Edexcel specification being resat.
Common questions
Can we ask Cambridge directly for a remark?
No. Enquiries about results are made by the school through Cambridge International Direct. Private candidates ask the centre that entered them, such as a British Council office.
Can a review of marking lower my child's grade?
Yes. Pearson states marks or grades can go up, down or stay the same. Cambridge amends the grade if the reviewed total gives a different grade, which can be lower.
How much does a Cambridge enquiry about results cost?
Cambridge publishes the fee to schools on Cambridge International Direct rather than on its public website. Cambridge does not charge the fee if the enquiry changes the syllabus grade. Ask your school for the current amount.
How long does a review take?
Cambridge normally gives the outcome within 30 days of receiving the enquiry. Pearson aims to complete a clerical check within 10 calendar days, a review of marking within 20, and a priority review within 15.
How much does LiveTutor charge for resit preparation?
$15 a lesson for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons a week billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.
- Cambridge International: enquiries about results
- Cambridge enquiries about results guide (international), 2026 (PDF)
- Cambridge factsheet: understanding marks on scripts (PDF)
- Cambridge key dates for the November 2026 series, international (PDF)
- Cambridge key dates for the June 2026 series, international (PDF)
- Pearson qualifications: post-results services
- Pearson qualifications: private candidates
- Pearson Key Dates Table International 2026-2027 (spreadsheet)