Q. Will I be entered for an exam automatically

Entry to examinations requires excellent attendance throughout the course. The college will pay examination entry fees for one entry in each subject in which you have satisfactorily completed all your work including coursework.

Q. How can I found out when/where my exam is?

You should receive a Statement of Entry through your tutorial session outlining dates and times of exams.  Please check all of your subjects are listed and enter the dates and details into your planners.  Get someone else to check that you have entered them correctly. If you have not received your statement of entry, please contact your tutor in the first instance<

The Exam timetables will be available on the website and are displayed outside the Exams Office, these timetables show the Venues for all of the exams.

These are displayed the day before an examination in the following places:

• Lower Common Room
• Reception
• Outside the Hall cloakrooms
• Outside the Sports Hall [when appropriate]

Check carefully which room you are in and which seat you have been allocated – look for your CANDIDATE NUMBER not your name.

*ID cards must be displayed on your desk in examinations

Q. What If I have lost my ID card?

Go immediately to the MIS office and request a new card.  The cost of a replacement card is £2.50.

Q. I’m on holiday when an exam is taking place?

You must see your divisional leader as a matter of urgency.

Q. I have 2 or more exams at the same time on the same day?

As long as all of the exams do not total more than 3 hours in duration, you can sit all of the exams in one day.  You will need to decide which order you take the exams (check with subject department to see if they have a preference), take the first exam and then stay in your seat and the next paper will be brought to you.

Q. What do I do if there’s a clash on my timetable?

An exam clash is more than 3 hours exam time in a morning or afternoon session.  If you think you have a ‘clash’, complete a Clash alert form from the Exams office.  A letter will be sent to your home giving you details of the arrangements which have been made for you and which you must keep to.

Some students are entitled to access arrangements in examinations. If you had access arrangements in examinations at your previous school or think you may be entitled to them now, please make an appointment to see the Learning Support Office.  An assessment will be made and the details will be passed on to the examinations office. It is in your interest to see the Learning Support team as soon as possible; if it is done at the last minute it may not be possible to make the arrangements you need.

Inform the college as soon as possible so that we can help and advise you.  In the case of an accident that means you are unable to write it may be possible to provide you with a scribe to write your answers but we will need as much prior notice as possible and you will need to provide medical evidence (from GP or hospital)  to support this. 

Q. Do I need to do anything before the exam?

Yes. You need to make sure that you have read and understood the Notice to Candidates and Warning to Candidates.  These notices provides you with all of the procedures and guidelines that you need to follow during your exams. 

Check on the starting time and allow plenty of time to get to college and that you have all of the equipment you need for the exam.

You must use ONLY BLACK INK on exam papers.

Q. If I miss the examination can I take it on another day?

No. Timetables are nationally set and regulated by the External exam boards and you must attend on the given date and time.

Q. What time do I need to arrive for ?

For morning exam sessions you need to arrive for 8.45am and for Afternoon sessions arrive for 1.45pm. If you are unsure of the time of your exam, arrive for a morning session.

Q. If I am late, can I still sit the examination?

Provided you are not more than 1 hour late, it may still be possible for you to sit the examination.  You should get to school as quickly as possible and report to reception.  A member of staff will escort you to the exam room.  You must not enter an examination room without permission after an exam has begun. 

It may not be possible to allow you any extra time if you start the examination late. You should also be aware that if you start the exam more than 30 minutes after the published starting time, the college must inform the exam board and it is possible that the board may decide not to accept your work.  Please ensure that you allow enough time to get to college, so that if you are delayed (through transport problems) you will still arrive on time.

Q. I am entitled to arrangements during exams – how will this affect the way I take my exams ?

If you are entitled to 25% extra time, you will be given an orange card to place face up on your desk, if you wish to use the allowance.  Where possible such candidates will be seated together to minimise disturbance to other candidates. 

If you require rest breaks or any other arrangements, the invigilators for the exams will be notified of your need.

Q. Can I wear a hat or ‘hoodie’ in an exam?

Only headwear that is worn for religious purposes can be worn in the examination room, all other hats and hoods must be removed.  If you do wear items of religious clothing, you must see Mrs Rothbury BEFORE the exam session.   

Q. What can I take it to the Exam room?

You can take in Pens, Pencils, ruler and any stationary that is needed for that particular exam (Calculator).  Purses/wallets can be taken in, but placed under your chair.  Any pencil cases that are taken in to the exam room MUST be clear and see through. 

Q. What am I not allowed to take into the Exam room?

Only material that is listed on question papers is permitted in the examination room and students who are found to have any material with them that is not allowed will be reported to the appropriate examinations board.  In such circumstances, a student would normally be disqualified from the paper or the subject concerned.  Bags and coats are not permitted under exam regulations and must be left in the cloakroom/changing rooms of the venue allocated.  Do not bring any valuables into school with you when you attend an examination. Any items brought into the college are left at your own risk.

Mobile phones MUST not be taken into the Examination room.

Q. What will happen if I am found with phone/electronic device in the Examination room?

Being in possession of a mobile phone or any other electronic device ( ipod, mp3 player) is an infringement of the regulations and is treated very seriously.  It could result in disqualification of the current Exam and from the overall qualification.  You may also be banned from all Examinations for that board for up to 5 years.  All instances will be reported and the decision of the External exam board is final.

DO NOT HAVE YOUR PHONE ON YOU OR SWITCHED ON.

Q. What do I do if I think I have the wrong paper?

The Invigilators will ask you to check before the exam starts. If you think something is wrong put your hand up and tell the invigilator immediately.

Q. What do I do if I feel ill during the exam?

Put your hand up and an invigilator will assist you.  You should inform an invigilator if you feel ill before or during an exam and you feel this may have affected your performance.

Q. How do I get my results?

For the January Units, you will be able to collect your results slips from 13th March onwards.  The summer results are available for AS and A2 on the 14th August.

Q. Can I have my exam script back?

Yes. You can either have a photocopy of the script or the original. The cost varies according to the individual Exam boards; the average price is between £8 - £11 for each unit. The deadline for asking for a photocopy of your script is 21st March.  The original script can be requested up to the 28th April 2008.  Please check with your teachers as to which you need, it is very important that you choose the right option.

The dates for the summer exams will be published nearer the time.

Q. Can I have the exam re-marked?

Yes. There are a few options available to you.  
Service 1. This is a re-check of all clerical procedures leading to the issue of a result.  The closing date for this service is Thursday 10th April. The cost of this service is between £8-£12 per unit.

Service 2. This is a review of the original marking to ensure that the agreed mark scheme has been applied correctly. The closing date for this service is Thursday 10th April. The cost of the service varies between exam boards, the price ranges between £30 - £49 per unit.

Please note that if you request service 1 or 2, marks can  go down as well as up. 

The dates for the summer exams will be published nearer the time.

Q. I’m not happy with the mark. Can I re-sit my exam?

Yes.  You can apply to re-sit any or all of the units in the next exam series if they are available, please check with your head of department for availability.  The cost of the re-sit is £15 for each of the units.  We advise that you talk to your subject teachers before applying for a re-sit; they will be able to advise if you could expect a better mark by taking the exam again.  You also need to be aware that the more re-sits you take, the more pressure you will be under during the exam series, this is especially true in the summer when you will be taking new exams for the first time.

You should also know that all of the attempts at a unit will show on your certificate.