A student has been waiting for a week for the high school diploma that decides whether he can go to university.
Thomas McDowall, 18, is hoping to study math at Bristol University but his offer depends on his physics grade, which was missing from his results.
The Birmingham student said communication from the AQA board had been “really poor” and the delay had already affected his ability to clear.
AQA informed the BBC that it was not possible to comment on individual cases.
On August 18, the high school results were published.
“When I opened my sheet music, it just said ‘Q’ in my physics,” he said. “I think it means ‘query’ – it usually means something has affected the paper being marked.”
He believes his paper was lost but said AQA “didn’t tell us anything”.
As far as he knows he is the only person affected by this issue at his school in Smethwick, but elsewhere BTec students have reported delays from the Pearson Examination Board.
- Other BTec students may face delays in results
- Anger about late test results delays study places
- “Delay in BTec results cost my clearing seat”
He achieved an A* in his math exam, a B in geography and an honors in his BTec sport.
Thomas said he had to submit his grade to Bristol University by August 31 if he could attend. His insurance choice, Southampton, has already withdrawn his offer of accommodation if he goes there.
“I don’t want to take a year off,” he said. “I was so determined and committed to this plan.”
He said being left in limbo was “pretty stressful”.
The Audit Committee is reviewing Thomas’s case and the requests in question have been dealt with as quickly as possible.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Submit your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Add Comment