Studying for hours on end for A-Level Chemistry only to be faced with exceedingly high grade boundaries is disheartening. It's frustrating to pour over textbooks, complete endless practice papers, and give your best, only to find out that your score doesn’t correspond to a grade you feel you've earned. A score of 70 out of 100, which is a commendable performance, still only meets the criteria for a B grade under the current OCR A-Level Chemistry grading system. In contrast, this same score would be considered an A in subjects like Biology and Psychology, highlighting an unfair disparity.

The current requirement of achieving 90% for an A*  is unreasonably high

91/100 is required for Paper 1

92/100 is required for Paper 2

60/70 is required for Paper 3

And an overall total of 243/270. This  puts pressure to only lose 10 marks maximum in each paper.

This isn’t just about raising grades; it's about promoting a fair system of evaluation that recognizes hard work and capability without setting impractical standards. Instead of pushing students to the brink, adjusting the grade boundaries would encourage a healthier approach to education where success is seen in terms of understanding and improvement, not just scoring high marks.

Lowering the grade boundaries for the OCR A-Level Chemistry exam would not only alleviate stress but also provide us with a fairer chance to achieve our potential. A recalibration of these standards could better reflect students' efforts and insights, leading to a more equitable academic environment.

Join us in demanding a revision of the grade boundaries for OCR A-Level Chemistry. Let’s work together to ensure all students are given a fair chance to achieve the grades that truly reflect their hard work and understanding of Chemistry. Please sign this petition if you believe in a fair and balanced academic assessment system.