Examination Guidance

Examination Regulations

Timetables

A generic provisional timetable is available on the website. In March, you will be issued with an individual timetable listing the dates and times of each of your examinations. Carefully read your timetable and report any errors or omissions to Mrs Mansoor, the Examinations Officer, as soon as possible.

Seating Plans

You will be given an individual seating plan before the start of your first examination.
Generic seating plans will be posted in the entrance hall and the dining room on the day of each examination. Please ensure you know where you are seated before entering the examination room and sit in the seat allocated to you. Being in the right place at the right time is your responsibilty.

Punctuality

You must attend at the dining room or exam room at least 15 minutes before the start of the examination. If you are late the examination will start without you and the Examination Board may refuse to accept the work that you do.

Tier Changes

Your individual timetable confirms which tiers you have been entered for. If you have any concerns then see Mrs Mansoor or your subject teacher well in advance of the examination.

Lateness, Illness and other Circumstances

If you are too ill to attend or unavoidably late then you must ring school on 0161 336 2743 as soon as possible.
If you are taken ill at school, have any significant health concerns or other genuine problems affecting your performance, you must see Mrs Mansoor as soon as possible.
If you feel unwell during an examination, let an invigilator know immediately.
The Examination Board may take your circumstances into account but only if you have followed the guidance above.

Authorised Materials

You are only allowed to bring the following equipment into the examination room:
- Normal writing equipment either loose or in a clear see-through pencil case or bag.
- A calculator (not permitted in all examinations).
- Subject-specific materials such as preparation sheets or set texts but only if specifically instructed.
- Water but only in a small, re-sealable container with any label removed.
Anything other than the items listed above will be regarded as ‘unauthorised materials’ by the Examiantion Boards and must not be in your possession for any examination or speaking test.
- Mobile phone, must be switched off and handed in at the start of each examination.
- MP3 or 4 players/ipods/watches or any other electronic equipment.
- Earphones
- Notes of any description.
- Dictionaries unless otherwise stated.
- Calculator lids, cases and /or instruction leaflets.
- Coats or any other outdoor clothing.
- Scrap paper or blotting paper.
- Tissues in packets.
You can face disqualification by the Examination Boards if you do not follow the rules, even if you have not attempted to use any items for dishonest reasons.

Acceptable Writing Equipment

- Black ink or black ballpoint pen only (no other colours are accepted by the Examination Boards).
- HB pencils only for graphs and diagrams.
- Coloured pencils only for maps, drawings, charts etc (unless instructed otherwise).
- Highlighters only on the question paper not in you answers.

Conduct

Once you have entered the examination room you must not communicate with other candidates in any way. You may only speak with the invigilators.
Once seated you must face the front at all times and only look at your own work. To avoid any misunderstanding, do not look at other candidates in the rows either side of you or behind you.
Your conduct in the examination room must not disturb or distract any other candidate. You must remain silent until you have left the examination room at the end of the examination and respect the fact that there may be some candidates still working.

Basics

- Never write in your answer booklet until you are instructed to do so, not even to fill in your candate details.
- Always check that have been given the correct question paper for your subject and unit and that you have evenything listed. Note the time allowed and read all instructions carefully.
- Ensure you fill in answer booklets and any supplementary sheets according to the instructions.
- If you need to attract an invigilator’s attention at any point in the examination, please raise your hand. Do not call out.

Fire Alarm

If the fire alarm sounds, remain in silence and listen carefully to the instructions given to you by the Invigilator/s or member of staff. Examination conditions continue to apply even if there is an evacuation. You must not communicate with other candidates at all and if you do so, it is likely that the Examination Board will disqualify you for that examination.

At the End of an Examination.

You are not allowed to leave an examination before the stated finish time even if you have finished working.
When the invigilator tells you to stop writing you must do so straight away. You must not attempt to finish a question or a sentence but should immediately close your answer book.
If you are unsure about any of these rules then please see Mrs Mansoor, Examinations Officer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I sit my exams?

Exam Sessions or 'windows' take place every year throughout the year. You can view timetables for all examinations taking place in college on the college website exams Information section (Exam Timetables).

What items not allowed in the Exam room?

Possession of unauthorised items such as a mobile phone, watches or MP3/4 Players is a serious offence and could result in DISQUALIFICATION from your examination and your overall qualification

When are the Timetables issued?

Once the entries are confirmed Statement of entries timetable will be given to students. They confirm the scheduled date and time of exams. Main Exam timetabled can be viewed on website in the exams section 'Timetables’ Alternatively, timetables are also available in the Dining Hall.

What information will I receive?

You will receive two pieces of information - a Statement on Entry (summer examinations only), and an Individual Exam Timetable.

Statement of Entry (summer exams only) - given to all students once exam entries have been sent to the exam board(s). This statement confirms the examinations you have been entered for, the date and start time of these examinations. It is important that you check your statement to ensure your personal details (Legal Name & Surname and Date of Birth) and exam entries are correct. This information is what the exam boards use to print your certificates - if it is incorrect you will need to pay to replace certificates.

Individual Exam Timetable (Mocks& Summer Exams)- This will confirm all of your examinations, along with the exam room and seat number for your examination. This will be given to student approximately 2-6 weeks before the start of examinations. Some examinations may be scheduled on the same day at the same time, this 'exam' clash will be resolved on you Individual Exam Timetable, where the timing (or day!) of this exam will have been altered.

Please remember these documents are individual to each student, your examinations may not be at the same time as others taking the same subject.

What if I have exams on the same day?

Unfortunately, because of how GCSE timetable is and the number of subjects available for students to take, it is likely some of your subjects may clash.

The Exams Officer will resolve any 'clashes', whilst abiding by the rules and regulations set out by the exam board. Again, your timetable is individual to YOU! Please check this thoroughly report any problems to the Exams officer as a matter of urgency.

How do I know where I’m sat?

Information is provided in a number of ways: Students will be given the individual exam Timetable with the room and the seat number. Also, on the day of the exam the Seating plan will be placed in the Dining hall. If you are still unsure please ask the Exams Officer.

What do I need to bring?

The college do not supply equipment (pens, pencils etc.) for your examinations. You must bring your own. Essential equipment required for the exams: black pens, Highlighters, sharpened pencils, pencil colours, rubber, scientific calculator, ruler, compasses and protractor. You must bring all equipment to each and every examination, including mock exams. More information will be given to you during Assemblies/tutorials throughout the year.

Most importantly, bring yourself to college in plenty of time.

How do I get my results?

Dates of all results days are available on the 'Results Information' page. Students can come into college to collect the Results on the RESULTS DAY. Alternatively, Student can request by emailing the Exams Officer to be emailed to their college email account on the day of publication.

What if I need to re-sit?

Re-sit opportunities are available during the main exam windows for students.

You will need to get in touch with the Exams department at the college you are studying. And they will be able to help with your query. If you are not at college you can still get in touch with the nearest Sixth form college as they do except private candidates to sit the external exams (November & May).

How do I get my certificates?

College will let you know in September/October of the new Academic year how Certificates can be collected.

St Thomas More RC College