CANDIDATE INFORMATION & PROTOCOLS

EXAM HANDBOOK2016

1. INTRODUCTION

2. BEFORE YOUR EXAMINATIONS

• Timetables• Seating plans• Examination clashes• Contact number/home address• Candidate number• Name/Date of Birth• Revision

3. DAY OF EXAMINATIONS

• Attendance at examinations• Absent from examinations• Equipment• Calculators• Invigilators• During the exam• Disruptive behaviour• Emergency evacuation• Malpractice

4. AFTER EXAMINATIONS

• Notification of results• Enquiry about results• Certificates• Appeals Procedure against internal assessment decisions

CONTENTS

It is the aim of Cockshut Hill Technology College 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 read it carefully and show it to you parents so that they are also aware of the examination regulations and procedures to follow in the event of any problems occurring.

The awarding bodies (or examination boards) set down strict criteria which must be followed for the conduct of Examinations. Cockshut Hill Technology College is required to follow them precisely. You should pay particular attention to the JCQ Notices and Information to Candidates on the school website.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Exams Office if you need any more help or information.

Mrs J KavanaghExaminations Officer

INTRODUCTION

TIMETABLES

You will be sent a copy of a timetable showing all exams for that season before your first exam. Further copies of exam timetables will be available on the school’s website.

You will also receive an individual timetable showing your own specific examinations with details of date, time and duration of exam, venue and seat number. Please check it carefully. If you think something is wrong speak to your subject teacher, tutor, or examinations officer immediately.

SEATING PLANS

Seating plans will be displayed between lower and upper school hall on the day of all exams and outside each venue.

EXAMINATION CLASHES

Some of you may have two or more exams scheduled at the same time. This is called an examination clash.

If the total duration is less than 3 hours you will sit one exam after the other, with a short supervised rest break under exam conditions.

If the total duration is more than 3 hours (including any extra time), arrangements will be made for you to sit one of your exams at an earlier or later session on the same day.

If you are entered for three or more exams on the same day and the total duration for these papers is more than 5 ½ hours, arrangements may be made for you to sit one of your exams on the following day, including Saturday.

2. BEFORE YOUR EXAMINATIONS

CONTACT NUMBERS/HOME ADDRESS

Please make sure the school has at least one up-to-date contact number for you and the correct home address recorded.

CANDIDATE NUMBER

A four digit number is allocated to you before you sit any external examinations. This is the number you will enter on all your examination papers. It will appear on your timetable, next to your name, on seating plans and your identity card. Please remember it.

NAME/DOB

Please check the spelling of your name and date of birth. If you do not let anyone know your details are incorrect, before your certificate has been awarded, you will have to pay for an amended certificate which could cost between £30 and £40.

REVISION

A range of revision materials will be provided by your subject teachers. The College also provides a range of revision materials on our website, www.cockshut.bham.sch.uk.

Take a look at Exam Board websites. They have lots of useful advice and information for students and parents, such as ‘how to plan a programme of revision’, or ‘what happens to your scripts once they are sent off to the Exam Board?’

www.aqa.org.ukwww.edexcel.com

www.ocr.org.ukwww.wjec.co.ukwww.cie.org.uk

BEFORE YOUR EXAMINATIONS

ATTENDANCE AT EXAMINATIONS

• Candidates are responsible for checking their own timetable and arriving at school on the correct date and time.

• A copy of your personal timetable will also be sent to your parents/carers in case you misplace it. If both copies are lost, see your examinations officer – do not leave it until it is too late, as you may miss an exam.

• You must arrive 10 minutes prior to the start of your examination.

• You must line up in your rows outside the sports hall, or wait quietly outside your exam room until you are invited to enter by an invigilator. You will find your room and seat number on your personal timetable.

• If you are late and the exam has already started, walk into the room quietly. The invigilator will ask your name and give you instructions. Do not disturb other candidates who are working. You will still be allocated the full time.

• FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM MUST BE WORN.

ABSENT FROM EXAMINATIONS

• If you are unable to attend on the day of an exam you must get someone to telephone the school and leave a message before 9.00 am.

• If you are absent because of an illness you must produce a doctor’s note. If you are unable obtain one you can collect a self-certification form (JCQ/ME Form 14) from the Examinations Office.

• If you do not have a valid reason for being absent you will be asked to pay for the cost of entering you for the exam.

3. DAY OF EXAMINATION

EQUIPMENT

It is your responsibility to make sure you have all the correct equipment for the exam you are sitting. If you are not sure what you might need, speak to your subject teacher. You may only write using a black ball point pen as other colours, such as blue, do not show up when your script is scanned.

All items of equipment, pens, pencils, mathematical instruments, etc. should be visible to the invigilators at all times. You must either use a see-through pencil case or clear plastic bag.

CALCULATORS

• You may use a calculator for all examinations unless you are told otherwise. You are advised to bring in your own calculator as the school has a limited supply.

• You must make sure the calculator you bring with you works properly and CLEAR ANYTHING STORED IN IT.

• Remove any parts such as cases, lids or covers which have printed instructions or formulas.

INVIGILATORS

Please make sure you behave in a respectful manner towards invigilators. The invigilators are trained to make sure you all have an equal opportunity to demonstrate your ability, under the right conditions.

DAY OF EXAMINATION

DURING THE EXAMINATION

• Make sure you know where you are sitting before you enter the room. Seating plans will be displayed between upper and lower school hall and outside all exam rooms.

• If your exam is in the Sports Hall please leave your coats and bags in the changing rooms. If you are in a classroom they should be placed at the front of the room.

• When you enter the room you are under exam conditions. Do not talk to, attempt to communicate with, or disturb other candidates.

• Any equipment you may have for your exam, for example calculators, pens etc, must be on your desk.

• Listen carefully to the instructions the invigilator reads out to you at the start of the exam.

• Read the instructions on the front of the paper as sometimes you do not need to answer all of the questions.

• Remember to write down your name, centre and candidate number.

• Speak to an invigilator if you think you have the wrong paper or have not got the right equipment, before the exam begins.

• If you need to speak to an invigilator during an exam you must put up your hand. The invigilator will try and help you, but they will not answer any questions for you.

• Make sure you go to the toilet before the exam starts, as you may disturb other candidates if you need to go during the exam.

• No food is allowed in the examination room.

• You may bring in a drink of water, but it must be in a clear plastic bottle with the label removed.

• Please do not write on examination desks. This is regarded as vandalism and you will be asked to pay for any damage.

DAY OF EXAMINATION

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

• Any disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated as this is likely to disturb other candidates.

• Remember when you are in the exam room you are under examination conditions.

• Any unacceptable behaviour is reported to the Examination Boards who will then decide if this will result in disqualification.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION

• If the fire alarm sounds during an examination the invigilator will ask you to stop writing.

• If it is necessary to evacuate the room you must do so quietly, leaving your paper and scripts on the desk.

• You must leave the room in silence and not attempt to discuss the paper with other candidates.

• If you are allowed to go back into the room you will be allocated the full working time set for the examination.

DURING THE EXAM

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU TAKE A MOBILE PHONE, iPODs. iWATCHES, MP3/4 PLAYER, OR OTHER POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGICAL/WEB ENABLED SOURCES OF INFORMATION INTO THE EXAM ROOM.

• Remember the only items you need to take into an examination are listed on the question paper. Possession of unauthorised items could result in disqualification.

• PLEASE LEAVE YOUR MOBILE PHONE AT HOME. DO NOT BRING IT INTO SCHOOL. If you are found in possession of a mobile phone, even if it is switched off , we have to report it to the appropriate Examination Board. This will mean an automatic DISQUALIFICATION.

• If you forget to leave your mobile phone at home. Do not leave it in your bag, or switched off in your pocket. Hand it in to an invigilator before you enter the exam room.

• If you have an iWATCH you must also hand it in.

• Remove all other items from your pockets, such as revision notes and put in your bag before you enter the room. If these are found on your possession during an exam it will be reported as malpractice and could also lead to DISQUALIFICATION.

• Talking to another candidate during an examination could be regarded as malpractice and may be reported to the Examination Board if you have disrupted other students.

• You must not write inappropriate, obscene or offensive material on your exam paper – this is now regarded as malpractice and could lead to DISQUALIFICATION.

DURING THE EXAM

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Results for Summer Examinations Sessions may be collected on:

THURSDAY 25TH AUGUST, 2016AFTER 10.00AM

ENQUIRY ABOUT RESULTS

Subject teachers will be available on results day to give you advice. If you are unhappy with a result and believe there may be an error, please speak to someone about a remark.

Remarks may be requested up until 20th September each year for summer results and within four weeks from receipt of results for other examination series.

Your subject teacher will speak to the exams officer, who will submit an enquiry to the exam board and the school will pay for this service. If a subject teacher does not agree with a remark, you may still have one, but will be charged.

Charges for enquires about results will be available on awarding body websites, or from the Exams Office.

4. AFTER EXAMINATIONS

CERTIFICATES

A letter will be sent out early November when certificates are available to collect from school.

Certificates can be collected in person or by someone on your behalf, who has been given a note written and signed by you authorising them to collect your certificates.

Certificates will be available to collect from Reception between the hours of:

10.00 am - 12.00 noon and 2.00 pm – 4.00 pmRemember your certificate is a valuable document and you should keep them in a safe place. Employers and admissions officers at colleges and universities will ask to see your certificates to prove which awards you have achieved.

Replacement certificates/statement of results can cost between £30 and £40.

• Awarding bodies may only issue a replacement certificate if the originals have been destroyed by fire, flood or theft.

• Damaged or defaced certificates will be replaced if original certificate is returned.

• If a certificate has been lost or not collected for school, you will only be able to get a statement of results.

• Certificates may be disposed of securely by the school 12 months after they are first issued.

AFTER EXAMINATIONS

APPEALS PROCEDURE AGAINST INTERNAL ASSESSMENT DECISIONS

Cockshut Hill Technology College is committed to ensuring that internal assessments are marked and administered fairly, consistently and in accordance with the awarding bodyspecifications and subject-specific associated documents.

This is ensured by:• Subject staff having the necessary and appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills, and

training in this activity.• Subject staff authenticating candidates’ work according to the requirements of the relevant

awarding body.• A process of internal moderation and standardisation led by heads of department/nominated

subject staff.

An appeal against internal assessment decisions can be made, based on the above not being fulfilled. All appeals must follow the procedure detailed below. (Note - appeals may only be made against the marking/assessment process not against the mark submitted by the centre for moderation by the awarding body).

1. Appeals should be made as early as possible and at least two weeks before the end of the last externally assessed paper in the examinations series (e.g. The last GCSE written paper in the summer exam series).

2. Appeals should be made using the internal appeals form completed by the candidate (or parent/carer).

3. The head of centre will appoint a member of staff of the senior leadership team, who has no involvement in the assessment process for that subject to conduct an investigation.

4. The purpose of the appeal will be to decide whether the process used for the internal assessment conformed to the published requirements as detailed in the awarding body specification and/or subject-specific associated documents.

5. The appellant will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal, including any relevant correspondence with the awarding body and any changes made to internal assessments procedures.

6. The outcome of the appeal will be made known to the head of centre and will be logged as a complaint. A written record will be kept and made available to the awarding body upon request. Should the appeal bring any significant irregularity in procedures to light, the awarding body will be informed.

AFTER EXAMINATIONS

7. After candidates’ work has been internally assessed, it is moderated by the awarding body to ensure consistency in marking between centres. The moderation may lead to mark changes. This process is outside the control of Cockshut Hill Technology College and is not covered by this procedure.

Appeals procedure against centre decisions not to support an enquiry about results.

The general qualification awarding bodies offer post-results services following the issue of results. Full details of these services, internal deadlines for requesting a service and fees charged will be provided by the exams officer.

The service, enquiries about results (EARs), may be requested by centre staff or candidates, (or their parents/carers) if there are reasonable grounds for believing there has been a error in marking. If a query is raised about a particular examination result, the exams officer, teaching staff and head of centre will investigate the feasibility of requesting an enquiry at the centre’s expense.

When Cockshut Hill Technology College does not uphold a request from a candidate, the candidate may pay the appropriate fee, and a request will be made to the awarding body on the candidate’s behalf.

If the candidate (or their parent/carer) believes there are ground to appeal against the centre’s decision not to support an enquiry, an appeal can be submitted to the centre using the internal appeals form at least one week prior to the internal deadline for submitted an EAR.

HOW DO I MAKE AN ENQUIRY ABOUT MY RESULT IF NOT SUPPORTED BY THE CENTRE?

• Speak to the exams officer, who will inform you of cost.• Return consent form, together with payment before the deadline of 20th September.

Examination Boards will not accept EAR’s after this date.• Exams officer will inform you of the outcome by letter, when received.• If your grade is changed your payment will be returned, as you will not be charged.

AFTER EXAMINATIONS

APPEAL PROCEDURE FOLLOWING THE OUTCOME OF AN ENQUIRY ABOUT RESULTS

Where the head of centre remains dissatisfied after receiving the outcome of EARs, an appeal will be made to the awarding body, following the guidance in the JCQ publications Post-results services.

Where the head of centre is satisfied after receiving the outcome of an EAR, but the internal candidates and/or their parents/carers are not satisfied, they may make a further representation to the head of centre. Following this, the head of centre’s decision as to whether to proceed with an appeal will be based upon the centre’s internal appeals arrangements. Candidates, parents/carers are not permitted to make direct representations to and awarding body.

The internal appeals form should be completed and submitted to the centre within 10 calendar days of the notification of the outcome of the enquiry. Subject to the head of centre’s decision, this will allow the centre to process the appeal and submit to the awarding body within the required 14 calendar days. Awarding body fees which may be charged for the appeal must be paid by the appellant on submission of the internal appeals form. If the appeal is upheld by the awarding body, this fee will be refunded by the awarding body and repaid to the appellant by the centre.

Before deciding whether to appeal you should consider the following:• A clerical re-check and post-results review of marking was carried out by an appropriate

Senior Examiner.• The appeals process is available to centres who remain dissatisfied after receiving the

outcome of an enquiry about a result.• You are unable to make an appeal yourself.• Appeals are made in writing to the awarding body by the Principle, which clearly states the

grounds of appeal.• The grounds for appeal must relate to the awarding body’s procedures of the application of

the post-result service procedure.• Appeals do not generally involve further reviews of your work.• The appeals process will consider if the awarding body’s procedures are consistent

with the regulators ‘ Code of Practice’ prior to submitting an appeal.• Awarding bodies may charge a fee for an appeal.• Appeals must be submitted within 10 calendar days of the notification of the outcome of the

enquiry.

If you feel the awarding body has not followed the correct procedures when remarking your paper:• Make an appointment with the head of subject or achievement leader to discuss your

concerns. If they feel that the awarding body has not been consistent with the regulators ‘Code of Practice’, they will refer your case to Mrs Hartle (Principal) who will then make the decision as to whether to proceed with an appeal.

AFTER EXAMINATIONS

EXAM HANDBOOK2016