Two college students said they will appeal against their moderated A-level grades after potentially missing out on university places due to being given A*s in the "wrong subjects".
To study Classics at Cambridge, Thomas Chandler needed an A* in either English literature or German but was graded As for both, scoring an A* in art instead.
The student at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College said he could not understand why he had been downgraded from an A* for English literature, having worked at a top level throughout the course.
The 18-year-old from Richmond, North Yorkshire, said: "It's really frustrating because leading up to this I was getting A* in the course work and in class.
"I haven't been rejected, Cambridge are still waiting to make their decision."
Regardless of the outcome of his university application, Thomas will appeal to have his A in English literature upgraded.
"Everyone else is able to celebrate and I am left in the air," he said.
"Even if I get in I will be appealing that grade because I put more work into English literature than I did for my other subjects and to not have that rewarded is a bit heart-breaking."
He met Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who listened to his disappointment.
Sir Keir also spoke to Joseph Rice, who has been rejected by Warwick University where he had applied to study maths.
Joseph, 18, from Darlington, scored A* in maths and physics and As in further maths and chemistry. He needed an A* in further maths to get in to Warwick.
He said: "I'm a bit baffled as to why I have got an A and didn't receive an A*.
"Obviously I'm extremely disappointed with that.
"I cannot go to university to do the course I want to do, I feel like I have been let down."
He said he will wait to see what happens with his appeal over the marking.
