Appeals

linzip1703

I have just found out that i have failed my DFS computer based again. This time i want to appeal.
The AAT have sent me the forms - it says about needing a tutor / employer statement.

Is this actually needed for them to do the appeal???

Has anyone else requested an appeal - if so what do i need to do?

Henry

Hi,
Firstly, you do indeed need to have a written letter/supporting statement from your employer or from your tutor to support your appeal (there is a section on the EA1 form where the employer or tutor may write a supporting statement and sign in the relevant section - you can use this or attach a separate signed letter). Once you have completed the form send off to the AAT enclosing the required cheque or postal order payment.

I appealed a paper-based DFS result earlier this year and I can tell you it is a waste of time. I wrote the supporting letter myself and got my line manager to sign it. The appeal (if you can call it that) did not take into consideration the mitigating circumstances (which were actually AAT's fault) which formed the basis of my appeal. All they did was to review the script as it was and said that the previous result stands (no reference was made to the grounds of the appeal). They were good enough not to take my cheque payment though although under normal circumstances if you failed the appeal they would keep the money.

All I can say is go for the appeal, you have nothing to lose except the £23 or whatever they charge these days. Who knows you might have a better outcome than I did (though I wouldn't hold my breath). Good luck!

Rinske

Henry wrote: »

All they did was to review the script as it was and said that the previous result stands

Isn't that exactly what it says on the site?

I seem to remember that they specifically state that all they do is review the script and remark it and not do anything else? Can't find it anymore though, so can't check.

Henry

Rinske,
I think it is a pretty pointless exercise if they are simply going to review the script and not consider the mitigating grounds on which you are appealing. I suppose for them to then consider the mitigating circumstances at Stage 2 you will have had to gone through Stage 1 first. I find this a tad bureaucratic and frustrating because you have to then find suitably grounds on which to go to Stage 2 as you can't simply say you were not happy at Stage 1. Plus I think the whopping £125 for an independent panel member must must deter many people from even bothering with this stage considering it would be cheaper to just resit the exam.

Rinske

Henry wrote: »

Rinske,
I think it is a pretty pointless exercise if they are simply going to review the script and not consider the mitigating grounds on which you are appealing. I suppose for them to then consider the mitigating circumstances at Stage 2 you will have had to gone through Stage 1 first. I find this a tad bureaucratic and frustrating because you have to then find suitably grounds on which to go to Stage 2 as you can't simply say you were not happy at Stage 1. Plus I think the whopping £125 for an independent panel member must must deter many people from even bothering with this stage considering it would be cheaper to just resit the exam.

Actually, I thought you needed to submit all mitigating circumstances and evidence of them, before a certain deadline after the exams to them, which is before you get the results in order for them to consider the circumstances.

As said tho, I might be wrong.

Henry

Rinske wrote: »

Actually, I thought you needed to submit all mitigating circumstances and evidence of them, before a certain deadline after the exams to them, which is before you get the results in order for them to consider the circumstances.

As said tho, I might be wrong.

Well in my case I emailed AAT the day after the exam to highlight the issue and to seek clarification as I felt that the mitigating circumstances would have affected my performance and I had been going backwards and forwards with them leading up to when I eventually appealed following the result of my exam. I could not get a satisfactory response from them and thought I would put through the appeal but found out that it was a pretty pointless exercise as they still did not take the mitigating circumstances into consideration though I highlighted this the day after the exam. I sent those said emails as supporting documents with my appeal.