EXAMINATIONS CANDIDATE INFORMATION BOOKLET
GUIDANCE FOR
STUDENTS & PARENTS
Academy Telephone Number: 01279 866280
Exams Office Ext Number: 236
CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Warning to Candidates 4
Information for Candidates 5
Information Candidates Need to Know Before the Examinations
Candidate Name 6
Candidate Number 6
Unique Candidate Identifier 6
Timetables 6
Contact Telephone Numbers 6
Equipment 6
Controlled Assessments 7
Candidate Malpractice 7
During the Examinations
Examination Regulations 8
Attendance at Examinations 8
Invigilators 9
Absence from Examinations 10
After the Examinations
Notification of Results 11
Post-Results Service ____ 11
Appeals Procedure 11
Certificates 13
Frequently Asked Questions 14
INTRODUCTION
It is the aim of Mark Hall Academy to make the examination experience as stress free and successful as possible for all candidates.
Hopefully, this booklet will prove informative and helpful for you and your parents. Please look at it carefully and read it through with your parents so that they are also aware of the examination regulations and the procedures to follow in the event of any problems occurring.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and the Awarding Bodies (or Examination Boards) set down strict criteria which must be followed for the conduct of examinations and Mark Hall Academy is required to follow them precisely. You should therefore, pay particular attention to the Notice to Candidates and Warning to Candidates (p4 and p5).
Some of the questions you may have are answered at the back of this booklet. If there is anything you do not understand or any question that has not been addressed, please ask me. The examinations office is open to students during break time.
If you or your parents have any queries or need help or advice at any time before, during or after the examinations; please contact me on 01279 866280 ext. 236. Remember, we are here to help.
GOOD LUCK!
Mrs. L Carter
Examinations Officer
Joint Council for QualificationsAQA / City & Guilds / CCEA / Edexcel / OCR / WJEC
WARNING TO CANDIDATES
1. You must be on time for all your examinations.2. You must not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice in any part of the examination.
3. You must not:
· sit an examination in the name of another candidate;
· have in your possession any unauthorised material or equipment which might give you an unfair advantage.
4. Possession of a mobile phone or other unauthorised material is breaking the rules, even if you do not intend to use it, and you will be subject to penalty and possible disqualification.
5. You must not talk to, attempt to communicate with or disturb other candidates once you have entered the examination room.
6. You must follow the instructions of the invigilator.
7. If you are in any doubt speak to the invigilator.
Effective from 1st September 2014
AQA / City & Guilds / CCEA / OCR / Pearson / WJEC
A / Regulations – Make sure you understand the rules
1 / Be on time for all your exams. If you are late, your work might not be accepted.
2 / Do not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice during the exam.
3 / If you try to cheat, or break the rules in any way, you could be disqualified from all your subjects.
4 / You must not take into the exam room:
• notes;
• potential technological/web enabled sources of information such as an iPod, an iWatch, a mobile phone, a MP3/4 player or a wrist watch which has a data storage device.
Any pencil cases taken into the exam room must be see-through.
Remember: possession of unauthorised material is breaking the rules, even if you do not intend to use it, and you will be subject to penalty and possible disqualification.
5 / Do not use correcting pens, fluid or tape, erasable pens, highlighters or gel pens in your answers.
6 / Do not talk to or try to communicate with, or disturb other candidates once the exam has started.
7 / You must not write inappropriate, obscene or offensive material.
8 / If you leave the exam room unaccompanied by an invigilator before the exam has finished, you will not be allowed to return.
9 / Do not borrow anything from another candidate during the exam.
B / Information – Make sure you attend your exams and bring what you need
1 / Know the dates and times of all your exams.
2 / Arrive at least ten minutes before the start of each exam.
3 / If you arrive late for an exam, report to the invigilator running the exam.
4 / If you arrive more than one hour after the published starting time for the exam, you may not be allowed to take it.
5 / Only take into the exam room the pens, pencils, erasers and any other equipment which you need for the exam.
6 / You must write in black ink.
Coloured pencils or inks may only be used for diagrams, maps, charts, etc. unless the instructions printed on the front of the question paper state otherwise.
C / Calculators, Dictionaries and Computer Spell-checkers
1 / You may use a calculator unless you are told otherwise.
2 / If you use a calculator:
• make sure it works properly; check that the batteries are working properly;
• clear anything stored in it;
• remove any parts such as cases, lids or covers which have printed instructions or formulas;
• do not bring into the exam room any operating instructions or prepared programs.
3 / Do not use a dictionary or computer spell checker unless you are told otherwise.
D / Instructions during the exam
1 / Always listen to the invigilator. Follow their instructions at all times.
2 / Tell the invigilator at once if:
• you think you have not been given the right question paper or all of the materials listed on the front of the paper;
• the question paper is incomplete or badly printed.
3 / Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and/or on the answer booklet.
4 / Fill in all the details required on the front of the question paper and/or the answer booklet before you start the exam. Make sure you fill these details in on any additional answer sheets that you use.
5 / Remember to write your answers within the designated sections of the answer booklet.
6 / Do your rough work on the proper exam stationery. Cross it through and hand it in with your answers. Make sure you add your candidate details to any additional answer sheets that you use.
E / Advice and assistance
1 / If on the day of the exam you feel that your work may be affected by ill health or any other reason, tell the invigilator.
2 / Put up your hand during the exam if:
• you have a problem and are in doubt about what you should do;
• you do not feel well;
• you need more paper.
3 / You must not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions.
F / At the end of the exam
1 / If you have used more than one answer booklet and/or any loose sheets of paper, place them in the correct order.
Remember to fasten them together with a treasury tag before you leave.
Make sure you add your candidate details to any additional answer sheets that you use.
2 / Do not leave the exam room until told to do so by the invigilator.
3 / Do not take from the exam room any stationery. This includes the question paper, answer booklets used or unused, rough work or any other materials provided for the exam.
INFORMATION CANDIDATES NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE EXAMINATIONS
CANDIDATE NAME
Candidates are entered under the name format of first name + middle initial + (legal) surname, e.g. Adam J Smith.
CANDIDATE NUMBER
Each candidate has a four-digit candidate number. This is the number you will enter on examination papers. It will appear next to your name on seating plans, examination registers and on the card that will be placed on your examination desk. Your candidate number is on the front of this booklet. Please learn it.
Unique Candidate Identifier (UCI)
In addition to a candidate number, each candidate must have a Unique Candidate Identifier (12 numbers and 1 letter) which is shown on the top of statements of entry.
TIMETABLES
Candidates will receive an individual timetable showing their own specific examinations with details of date, time, and duration of exam. Check it carefully. If a candidate thinks something is wrong they need to see the Examinations Officer immediately. Occasionally a few candidates have clashes where two or more subjects are timetabled at the same time. The academy will make special timetable arrangements for these candidates only. If there is a clash on your timetable that has not been resolved, please see the Examinations Officer immediately.
A seating plan will be published prior to the examination. These will be displayed in the noticeboards outside Café 54 and the East Hall. Candidates must know where they will be sitting before each examination.
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Candidates must ensure that the school has at least one up-to-date contact telephone number.
EQUIPMENT
Candidates will be provided with a clear pencil case containing the basic equipment needed for the examination including 2 black pens, a pencil, a rubber, ruler and protractor. Students are expected to bring an appropriate calculator. Check the regulations in the Notice to Candidates and the information on page 5 of this handbook.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS
Please note that controlled assessments take place in the academy. They have replaced coursework in some previous examination courses.
Controlled assessments take place within classrooms after a period of preparation. They usually contribute to the overall grade. It is vital that attendance is excellent to ensure that no controlled assessment is missed.
CANDIDATE MALPRACTICE
‘Candidate Malpractice’, means malpractice by a candidate in the course of any examination or assessment, including the preparation and authentication of any controlled assessments or coursework, the presentation of any practical work, the compilation of portfolios of assessment evidence and the writing of any examination paper.
The Head of Centre has a responsibility, under the regulators’ GCSE, Principle Learning and Project Code of Practice to report to the relevant awarding body any suspected cases of malpractice involving candidates. (Principal Learning and Project Code of Practice, Section 8, p49)
The Head of Centre must report to the appropriate awarding body at the earliest opportunity all suspicions or actual incidents of malpractice. The only exception to this is malpractice discovered in controlled assessments or coursework before the authentication forms have been signed by the candidate.
(JCQ Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments: Policies and Procedures, section 4.3)
Full information detailing malpractice and codes of conduct can be found at: http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice
DURING THE EXAMINATIONS
EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
All candidates must read carefully the ‘Information for Candidates’ printed on page 5 of this handbook. Remember, breaking any of the examination rules or regulations may lead to disqualification from all subjects and possibly all examination series. The academy must report any breach of regulations to the Awarding Bodies.
ATTENDANCE AT EXAMINATIONS
Candidates are responsible for checking their own timetable and arriving at the academy on the correct day and time, properly dressed and equipped. Candidates must arrive 10 minutes before the start time of their examination and are responsible for knowing their individual seat positions within the exam room.
Candidates who arrive late for an examination may still be admitted but will not receive any additional time. They must report to the Examinations Officer in the first instance, before attempting to go into the examination room. If special consideration applies then you must speak to the Examinations Officer (see ABSENCE FROM EXAMINATIONS p10).
Full academy uniform must be worn by all candidates for all examinations. BAGS, COATS and other personal items must be left in the designated areas identified by the invigilators.
All items of equipment, pens, pencils, mathematical instruments, etc. should be visible to the invigilators at all times. You must either use a transparent pencil case or clear plastic bag.
Pens should be BLACK BALLPOINT ONLY (except for drawings/diagrams). The reason for this is that a vast majority of exam papers are now scanned and then marked on computers. Black ballpoint ink comes through the clearest when papers are scanned by the Examining Boards; therefore no gel/fibre pens are to be used. No correction pens or liquids are allowed.
For Mathematics and Science exams, candidates should make sure their calculators conform to the examination regulations. If in doubt, check with your teacher. Remove any covers or instructions and make sure batteries are new.
Please make sure that any watch alarms are turned off.
Do not attempt to communicate with or distract other candidates.
Mobile telephones MUST NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE EXAMINATION ROOM. If a mobile phone (or any other type of electronic communication or storage device including iWatches, MP3, MP4 and headphones) is found in your possession during an examination (even if it is turned off) it will be taken from you and a malpractice report made to the appropriate awarding body. No exceptions can be made.
Do not bring food or drink into the examination rooms. You may, however, bring a bottle of water in a clear container with no label attached.
Do not write on the examination desks or the name cards. This is regarded as vandalism and you may be asked to pay for any damage.
Do not draw graffiti or write offensive comments on the examination papers or answer booklets. If you do, the awarding body may refuse to accept your paper.
Listen carefully to instructions and notices read out by the invigilators. There may be amendments to the exam question paper that you need to know about.
Check you have the correct question paper — check the subject, paper and tier of entry.
Read all instructions carefully and number your answers clearly.