On the day

Whilst exams can be stressful, you can make your life easier by preparing for the day well in advance.

Your examination centre will be running the exams and they have a set of rules laid out by the exam boards and JCQ which they have to follow. They will inform you of the arrangement details before the exam day.

Before the Exams

  1. Make sure that you know the time and location of your examination and have planned your journey so you arrive with time to spare. Sometimes exams are held at a different location from where you made your booking so please be sure to check.
  2. If you have a problem on the day of your exam which will make you late or prevent you from attending it is very important that you let the exam centre know or they could be holding up the start time of the exam for dozens of other students while trying to locate you. Have a contact number to hand and make sure the exam centre has your ‘phone number as well.
  3. Ensure that you have the appropriate “Exam equipment” with you.

On the day

What you can/should take into the exam room

  • A clear plastic pencil case
  • Two or more Black ballpoint pens.  Blue pens are not acceptable
  • A clear plastic water bottle

If it is relevant to your examination you may also take in

  • An approved calculator
  • Appropriate equipment such as a ruler or protractor
  • Absolutely clean copies of set texts for an “open book” exam

What you can’t take into the exam

  • Any form of mobile ‘phone. Should you need a ‘phone for monitoring blood sugar for example then you must inform your exam officer before the exam day
  • Watches of any description, even if they are analogue
  • Any notes of any kind.
  • GENERAL NOTES;
  1. Always listen to the invigilator and follow their instructions.
  2. Tell the invigilator at once if:
    – you think you have not been given the right question paper, if any of the materials listed on the front of the paper are missing or if the question paper is incomplete or badly printed
    – if you are taken ill or have any other problem which will affect your exam performance
  3. Sometimes you will know more about your exam than the invigilator, so if you think the papers are wrong be prepared to be make them check thoroughly
  4. Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and/or in the answer booklet.
  5. Do not start writing anything until the invigilator gives the go ahead for you to fill in all the details required on the front of the question paper and/or the answer booklet before you start the exam. Do not open the question paper until you are instructed that the exam has begun.
  6. Remember to write your answers within the designated sections of the answer booklet.
  7. 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, including those used for rough work
  8. If you are sitting an NEA subject at a host centre then you must put our centre number (62373) on your exam paper and not that of the host centre.

JCQs guidance for candidates can be found here