GCSE
Examinations
Handbook
Examinations Officer ‐ Mrs D Manville
Email: d.manville@ewellcastle.co.uk
020 8393 1413
2015/2016
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Examination Boards ....................................................................................................................................... 1
Entry Procedures and Fees............................................................................................................................. 1
Access Arrangements ..................................................................................................................................... 2
The Examination Year..................................................................................................................................... 2
Year 10........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Year 11........................................................................................................................................................ 3
Statements of Entry ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Timetables ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Preparing for the Exams ................................................................................................................................. 4
Examination Regulations ............................................................................................................................ 4
Exam Equipment ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Stationery ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Calculators .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Dictionaries ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Food and Drink ........................................................................................................................................... 5
The Exam Day ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Starting Times............................................................................................................................................. 5
Late arrival for an Exam ............................................................................................................................. 5
In the Examination Room ........................................................................................................................... 6
At the Start of the Examination ................................................................................................................. 6
During the Examination.............................................................................................................................. 6
At the End of the Examination ................................................................................................................... 7
Absence from an Examination ....................................................................................................................... 7
After the Examinations................................................................................................................................... 8
Notification of Results ................................................................................................................................ 8
Enquiries about Results .............................................................................................................................. 8
Certificates ................................................................................................................................................. 9
GCSE Specification Subject Codes ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
JCQ Notices ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
Examination Equipment Checklist ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16
Introduction
Public examinations are a stressful time for students and parents or guardians, so it is important that all
those involved are as well informed as possible. Well-informed students will realise that the rules and
regulations are designed to ensure fairness and minimise disturbance.
This handbook is intended to inform you about the examination processes and procedures followed here
at Ewell Castle. Please read it carefully and share it with your parents or guardians so that they are
also aware of the examination regulations and procedures.
The Examination Boards (sometimes called Awarding Bodies) set down strict criteria which must be
followed for the conduct of examinations and Ewell Castle is required to follow them precisely. You
should therefore pay particular attention to the JCQ notices at the end of this booklet. Failure to do so
can result in disqualification from some or all of your subjects.
If there is anything that you do not understand, please ask. If you or your parents or guardians have any
queries or need help or advice at any time before, during or after the examinations, please contact Mrs
Manville, the Examinations Officer.
Examination Boards
The Examination Boards used at Ewell Castle for GCSEs are:
AQA
Edexcel (Pearson)
OCR
CIE
www.aqa.org.uk
www.edexcel.com
www.ocr.org.uk
www.cie.org.uk
Boards publish timetables and key dates well in advance of any examination series as well as other
information, such as subject specifications and practice papers. Care should be taken to check whether
dates are provisional or final and that you are referring to the correct specification.
Entry Procedures and Fees
Entries for exams are made by the Examinations Officer following discussions between the Subject
Teachers, Heads of Departments, students and parents. Where appropriate exam fees will be added to
your school fees account in April. Costs vary between Exam Boards but are typically £8.00 to £15.00 per
module rising to £10.00 to £20.00 for practical or language subjects. For linear exams, the cost is
between £30 and £55 per subject. The total cost for GCSE exams is approximately £250 - £350
dependent upon the number of subjects taken.
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If entries are made after 21st February penalty fees are charged. These can amount to 3 x the original
cost of the exam and will be passed on to parents when appropriate. Withdrawal from an exam entry
after the deadline does not always guarantee a refund of the exam fee.
Access Arrangements
Students in possession of one of the following documents may be eligible for extra time or other
arrangements in their exams:
• a Statement of Special Educational Needs relating to secondary education or an Education,
Health and Care Plan, which confirms a disability or
• a Psychological Assessment carried out by a qualified Psychologist confirming learning disability
during the Secondary School period or
• an assessment carried out no earlier than the start of Year 9 by a specialist assessor confirming a
learning difficulty relating to secondary education.
Students may also be eligible for extra time or other arrangements if they have:
• Behavioural, Emotional and Social Development Needs; or
• Communication and Interaction Needs; or
• Sensory and/or Physical Needs.
Students may also be eligible for additional time if their first language is not English and they need to
make extensive reference to a bilingual dictionary. The student must have been living in the UK for less
than 2 years, not attended an English speaking school and need to refer to the dictionary so often that
examination time is used for this purpose, delaying the answering of questions.
If the SENDCo feels that there is justification for an exam concession an application will be made to the
relevant body and parents will be notified if the concession is granted.
The Examination Year
Year 10
MONTH
ACTION
September
Commencement of GCSE courses
January
Summer external exams timetable posted on website
February
Statement of entries issued
Entry Deadline for summer exams - higher rate fees payable from 22nd February
Students’ personal timetables issued
March
Exam fees added to school fees account
April
Students’ final personal timetables issued (with exam room and seat numbers)
May
Certificate in Preparation for Working Life exam
GCSE Science exams – Double Science Students
June
Internal End of Year Exams
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MONTH
ACTION
August
Results published – 4th Thursday of month
Statement of Results to be collected by students
Year 11
MONTH
ACTION
September
Second year of GCSE course
19th – deadline for Enquiries about Results (GCSE)
November
Exam Certificate presentation
January
February
March
April
May
Summer external exams timetable posted on website
GCSE Mock Exams
Statement of entries issued
Entry Deadline for summer exams - higher rate fees payable from 22nd February
Students’ personal timetables issued
Exam fees added to school fees account
Students’ final personal timetables issued (with exam rooms and seat numbers)
Oral Exams (Languages)
Study Leave commences
GCSE exams commence
August
Results published – 4th Thursday of month
Statement of Results to be collected by students
September
19th – deadline for Enquiries about Results (GCSEs)
November
GCSE Certificates Presentation or available for collection
Statements of Entry
At the beginning of February, students will be receive a Statement of Entry and asked to check very
carefully that their name and date of birth are correct and that the entries and correct and complete.
This statement includes all modules (exams and coursework) entered for as well as a cash-in entry for
each GCSE subject. Please refer to the list of GCSE Subjects and Codes on pages 10 and 11.
Timetables
Late in February you will receive an individual timetable showing details of the date, time and duration of
your examinations. You will need to check it carefully and, if you think something is wrong, see the
Examinations Officer immediately. Your timetable will not refer to the cash-in entries or controlled
assessments shown on your Statement of Entry.
You may have a clash where two exams are timetabled at the same time. If this is the case, it is likely you
will take one exam and then the other exam immediately afterwards – remaining under exam conditions
between them. For a few candidates this may not be possible because the length of the combined
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exams exceeds three hours. If this is the case, the Examinations Officer will contact you personally. If
you think there is a clash on your timetable that has not been resolved, please see the Examinations
Officer immediately.
If one of your exams is to be taken either earlier or later than the scheduled time, you will need to stay
under supervision. An invigilator will remain in the same room as you at all times and you must not be in
possession of an electronic communication or storage device or have access to the internet.
Shortly before the start of the exam season, you will receive a second copy of your timetable which will
include the location and seat number for each exam. However, all students are advised to check the
examination noticeboard prior to each exam in case of any change in arrangements.
Preparing for the Exams
Examination Regulations
A copy of the ‘Information for Candidates’, which is issued by JCQ on behalf of the exams boards, is
printed at the end of this booklet. You must read this carefully and note that to break any of the
examination rules or regulations could lead to disqualification from all subjects. The school must report
any breach of regulations to the Awarding Body.
Exam Equipment
Examination regulations are very strict regarding items that may be taken into the examination room
(please see ‘Information for Candidates’). If you break these rules it could result in disqualification.
Stationery
Ensure you have everything you need for your exams – do you need a ruler or a protractor, for example.
Make sure you have sufficient black pens and sharp pencils. All stationery and equipment must be visible
to the invigilator at all times so you must use a transparent pencil case or clear plastic container. All
writing must be in black ink. See page 16 for an Examination Equipment Checklist.
You may not use:
• correcting pens, fluid or tape;
• erasable pens;
• highlighter pens in your answers (although you may use them to highlight questions, words or
phrases within the question paper or question/answer booklet. You may also use a highlighter
pen to highlight extracts in any resource material provided);
• gel pens in your answers;
• blotting paper.
Calculators
Candidates may use a calculator in an examination unless prohibited by the awarding body’s
specification. Where the use of a calculator is allowed, candidates are responsible for making sure that
their calculators meet the awarding bodies’ regulations.
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Calculators must be:
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of a size suitable for use on the desk;
either battery or solar powered;
free of lids, cases and covers which
have printed instructions or formulas.
The candidate is responsible for the following:
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the calculator’s power supply;
the calculator’s working condition
clearing anything stored in the
calculator
Calculators must not:
• be designed or adapted to offer any of these
facilities: - language translators;
- symbolic algebra manipulation;
- symbolic differentiation or integration;
- communication with other machines or
the internet;
• be borrowed from another candidate during an
examination for any reason;
• have retrievable information stored in them - this
includes databanks; dictionaries; mathematical
formulas or text.
Dictionaries
Electronic dictionaries will not be permitted in the examination room. If you have an arrangement
which permits the use of a bilingual dictionary, a paper copy will be provided which must not be written
in or marked in any way. Dictionaries must not be removed from the examination room.
Food and Drink
No foods (including sweets and chewing gum) are allowed in the examination room (with the exception
of students with a medical condition – please see the Examinations Officer).
Bottled water in sports cap bottles may be taken in to the examination room. Bottles must be clear
plastic and free of any labels. No other drinks are permitted.
The Exam Day
Starting Times
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Morning examinations start at 9.00 am and afternoon examinations start at 1.30 pm.
You are responsible for checking your own timetable and arriving at school on the correct date and
time. Seating plans and other information will be displayed on the examination notice board.
You must wear correct school uniform.
You must arrive outside the examination room 15 minutes before the starting time.
Bags, coats, electronic equipment, notes and paper of any kind (other than a copy of your timetable)
are not permitted in the examination room and must be left outside the Sports Hall.
You must wait quietly and enter the examination room only when instructed to do so.
Late arrival for an Exam
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If you are delayed on the way to school and you are likely to be late for an examination, you should
contact the school as soon as possible on 020 8393 1413.
If you have not arrived by the scheduled time of an exam the Examinations Officer will check if you
have telephoned the school and, if not, will try to contact you.
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•
•
If you arrive after the start time of your exam, report to the School Office. The Receptionist will
contact the Examinations Officer who will escort you to the examination room.
If you arrive later than 1 hour after the published start time of an exam or after the end of the exam
if it is shorter than 1 hour, you will be considered “very late”. You will be allowed to complete the
exam in the normal exam time. However, the Examinations Officer is required to send a full written
report to the appropriate Awarding Body including a statement on whether security may have been
broken due to you arriving late, including information about the extent to which you were under
supervision from the actual starting time of the examination. It is possible that the Awarding Body
may not accept your work.
In the Examination Room
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You must be silent and not attempt to communicate with or distract other candidates.
If you are under supervision because of a timetable clash, you must not communicate with any other
candidate.
Potential technological/web enabled sources of information such as iPods, iWatches, mobile
phones or MP3/4 players MUST NOT BE BROUGHT INTO THE EXAMINATION ROOM. If a mobile (or
any other type of electronic communication or storage device) is found in your possession during an
examination (even if it is turned off) it will be taken from you and a report made to the appropriate
Awarding Body. All standard watches brought in the examination room must be removed from your
wrist and placed on your desk.
No foods (including sweets and chewing gum) are allowed in the examination room (with the
exception of students with a medical condition – please see the Examinations Officer).
Bottled water in sports cap bottles may be taken in to the examination room. Bottles must be clear
plastic and free of any labels. No other drinks are permitted.
At the Start of the Examination
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Your name and candidate number will be identified on the seating plan and you will be directed to
the correct desk.
If you are eligible for extra time or some other access arrangement this will be identified on your
desk.
Listen carefully to all instructions and notices read out by the invigilator – there may be amendments
to the exam paper that you need to know about.
You are responsible for checking you have the correct exam paper – check the subject, unit and tier.
If you have any concerns, put your hand up and wait for an invigilator to come to you. DO NOT OPEN
THE PAPER UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.
Candidates are required to write their legal forename and surname on each exam paper (see your
timetable) – do not write a nickname or an abbreviated form of your name.
During the Examination
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All examination stationery will be provided. If you require additional paper raise your hand and wait
for an invigilator to come to you.
All rough work must be done on official exam stationery. It should be neatly crossed through but not
obliterated as it will be forwarded to the Examiner.
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•
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If you have a query or problem, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator to come to you.
Invigilators cannot discuss the examination paper with you or explain the questions.
Sit looking at the front at all times – not sideways.
Read all instructions carefully and number your answers clearly.
Use your time carefully. There will be a clock or clocks in the examination room and a notice
showing the starting and finishing time of your exam.
Read all instructions carefully and number your answers clearly.
You must stay in the examination room for the whole duration of the examination. If you complete
your paper within the allocated time and have checked your work you must sit in silence and on no
account disturb other candidates.
Toilet breaks may be permitted but you will not be allowed extra time to compensate for your
temporary absence.
Do not draw graffiti or write comments on examination papers – if you do the Awarding Body may
refuse to accept your paper.
If the fire alarm sounds during an examination, the invigilator(s) will tell you what to do. Please do
not panic. If you have to evacuate the room you will be asked to leave in silence and in the order in
which you are sitting. Leave everything on your desk. You must not attempt to communicate with
anyone else during the evacuation. When you return to the exam room do not start writing until the
invigilator tells you to. You will be allowed the full working time for the examination and a report
will be sent to the Awarding body detailing the incident.
At the End of the Examination
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At the end of the examination all work must be handed in – remember to cross out any rough work.
If you have used more than one answer book or loose sheets of paper ask for a tag to fasten them in
the correct order. Ensure your name and candidate number is written on each additional piece of
paper or booklet.
An invigilator will collect your exam papers before you leave the room. Absolute silence must be
maintained during this time.
Remain seated in silence until told to leave the examination room. Leave the room in silence and
show consideration for other candidates who may still be working. Do not talk until you are outside
the Sports Hall or well away from any other examination room.
Absence from an Examination
If you experience difficulties during the examination period (e.g. Illness, injury, personal problems),
please inform the school at the earliest possible point so we can help or advise you.
Special Consideration is an adjustment to the marks or grades of a candidate who is eligible for
consideration. The allowance for Special Consideration is from 0% (consideration given but addition of
marks considered inappropriate) to 5% (reserved for exceptional cases). Parents should be aware that
any adjustment is likely to be small and no feedback is ever provided. Candidates will only be eligible for
Special Consideration if they have been fully prepared and covered the whole course but performance in
the examination or in the production of coursework is affected by adverse circumstances beyond their
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control. Examples of such circumstances may be illness, accident or injury, bereavement or domestic
crisis. The Examinations Officer must be informed immediately, so that the necessary paperwork
can be completed and the candidate will be required to provide evidence to support such an application.
After the Examinations
Notification of Results
GCSE results will be available for collection from the school between 10.00 am and 11.30 am
on Thursday, 25th August 2016. Members of staff will be on hand to provide support and guidance to
students who require it.
If you wish for any other person (including family members) to collect your results on your behalf, you
must give written authorisation to school before results day. The person collecting the results will need
to bring a form of ID with them.
If you are unable to collect your results personally and wish to have them emailed to your school email
account, you must let the Examinations Officer have a completed request form by 8th July 2016. The
Examinations Officer will endeavour to despatch all emailed results by 1.00 pm on results day.
If you do not collect your results or make other arrangements are above, you will receive notification
through the normal post. No results will be given out by telephone under any circumstances.
Enquiries about Results
All Enquiries about Results (EARs) should first be discussed with the relevant Head of Department and/or
subject teacher who will advise on the viability of such a request. An “Enquiries and Appeals about
Results Form” should then be completed, signed and returned with a cheque made payable to Ewell
Castle School.
In the school’s experience it is rare for marks to change upwards by more than a marginal amount.
However the school reviews the marks your son/daughter and others have achieved and will advise you if
we feel there is an anomaly and that the paper should be remarked. In the event that we feel a number
of candidates have been marked wrongly the school itself will request a remark of all those papers (with
your agreement)
To clarify this, out of the 74 remarks requested for Summer 2015 exams, 8 resulted in an increase of an
overall GCSE, AS or A Level Grade. The unsuccessful remarks cost a total of £3,015.
In general we therefore recommend that a remark would be unwise unless we advise to the contrary.
Deadlines
th
19 September 2016
Clerical Re-Check OR review of marking AND/OR photocopy
Script
3rd October 2016
Request for original/photocopy script
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POST RESULT SERVICES
Service 1 – Clerical Re-Check
A check that all marks allocated have been included in the totals and correctly added and
transcribed.
Code: EAR1
Clerical re-check with photocopy of script
Code: EAR1C
Service 2 - Post Results Review of Marking
A review of the original marking to ensure that the agreed mark scheme has been applied
correctly. The service is only available for externally assessed components.
Code: EAR2
Review of marking with photocopy of script
Code: EAR2C
Access to Original Scripts
GCSE candidates may request their original scripts following the deadline for re-marks. Once
original scripts are requested it is not possible to request a re-mark.
Code: ATOS
Certificates
Certificates are received in school by 31st October and are available for collection for leavers from the
Exams Office from early in November. Certificates will be presented to current students during the
annual Certificate Presentation Assembly early in November.
Leavers are strongly recommended to collect their Certificates from the school in person. However, if
this will not be possible, we can post them to your home address by Signed For post at your risk. If you
wish to use this option, you must complete and sign an Exam Certificate Posting Form and pay the sum of
£4.00 to cover the posting costs. Uncollected Certificates will be retained by the school for a maximum
of five years.
Certificates are important documents. These days most educational institutions and potential employers
will ask to see your original Certificates. If you lose or fail to collect your Certificates, you will need to
obtain duplicates from the relevant Awarding Body. This currently costs in the region of £40.00 per
Certificate.
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GCSE Subject Specification Codes 2015 - 2016
Subject
Board
Code
Cash-In
Art & Design – Fine Art
AQA
4202
4200
Biology B – Gateway
OCR
J263
J263
Business Studies
EDEXCEL
3210
2BS01
Chemistry B – Gateway
OCR
J264
J264
Design & Technology (Resistant
Materials)
OCR
J306
J306
Drama
AQA
4240
4242
English
OCR
J350
J350
English Language
OCR
J355
J355
English Literature
OCR
J360
J360
French
EDEXCEL
5650
2FR01
Geography A
AQA
9030
9032
History A
EDEXCEL
4010
2HA01
ICT
AQA
4520
4522
Mathematics A (Linear)
EDEXCEL
1MAO
1MAOF or 1MA0H
Music
AQA
4270
4272
Physical Education
AQA
4890
4892
Physics B – Gateway
OCR
J265
J265
Unit
Title
42021
42022
B731/02
B732/02
B733B
5BS01
5BS02
5BS03
B741/02
B742/02
B743B
A561
A563
A565
42401
42402
A641B
A642B
A640B
A680F
A651B
A650B
A680F/H
A640B
A661B
A662
A663
A664
5FR01
5FR02
5FR03
5FR04
90301F/H
90302F/H
90303
5HA01
5HA022A
5HA033A
5HA04
45201
45202
45203
Portfolio of work - controlled assessment
Externally set task - questions papers
Biology B1, B2, B3 (Higher)
Biology B4, B5, B6 (Higher)
Controlled Assessment
Introduction to Small Business
Investigating Small Business
Building a Business
C1, C2, C3 (Higher)
C4, C5, C6 (Higher)
Controlled Assessment
Introduction to designing and making (coursework)
Making quality products (coursework)
Sustainability and technical aspects of designing and making
Written paper
Practical
Reading Literary Texts
Imaginative Writing
Speaking & Listening
Information & Ideas (Foundation)
Extended Literary Text & Imaginative Writing
Spoken language
Information & Ideas
Speaking and listening
Literary Heritage Linked Texts
Modern Drama
Prose from Different Cultures
Literary Heritage Prose & Contemporary Poetry
Listening Comprehension
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Unit 1: Physical Geography
Unit 2: Human Geography
Unit 3: Local Fieldwork Investigation
International Relations 1943-1991 (Cold War)
An in-depth study of Germany 1918-1939
War & transformation of British society c1903–28
Vietnam c1950-75 - coursework
Unit 1 Systems and Applications in ICT
Unit 2 The Assignment: Applying ICT
Unit 3 Practical Problem Solving in ICT
Calculator
Non-Calculator
Listening & Appraising
Composing & Appraising (coursework)
Performing Music (Coursework)
Composing Music (Coursework)
Knowledge & Understanding for the Active Participant
The Active Participant – controlled assessment
P1,P2,P3
P4,P5,P6
Controlled Assessment
42701
42702
42703
42704
48903
48904
B751/02
B752/02
B753B
10
Subject
Board
Code
Cash-In
Preparation for Working Life Year 10
AQA
4800
4800
Religious Studies B “Philosophy
& Applied Ethics”
OCR
J621
Religious Studies - Entry Level
Certificate
OCR
R468B
R468B
Science B (Gateway) – Year 10
OCR
J261
J261
Additional Science B – Gateway
– Year 11
OCR
J262
J262
Spanish
EDEXCEL
3SPOW
3SPOW
510
510
0510AX
0510EX
0510AX
0510EX
iGCSE English as a Second
Language
CIE
J621
Unit
Title
4800/W
4800/C
B601
B602
B603
B604
Written paper
Coursework
Philosophy 1
Philosophy 2
Ethics 1
Ethics 2
Coursework only
B711
B712
B713B
B721/02
B722/02
B723B
5SP01
5SP02
5SP03
5SP04
0510/05
0510/11
0510/21
0510/31
0510/41
F = Foundation Paper
H = Higher Paper
Indicates coursework or controlled assessment
– will not appear on exam timetable
11
B1, C1, P1 (Higher)
B2, C2, P2 (Higher)
Controlled Assessment - PM
Modules B3, C3, P3
Modules B4, C4, P4
Controlled Assessment - PM
Listening Comprehension
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Speaking
Reading and Writing (Core)
Reading and Writing (Extended)
Listening (Core)
Listening (Extended)
AQA
City & Guilds
CCEA
OCR
Pearson
WJEC
Information for candidates
Guidelines when referring to examinations/assessments through the
Internet
This document has been written to help you. Please read it carefully.
We all like to share our experiences when taking examinations. However, it is important to consider
what you say. Your comments may lead to an investigation for malpractice and result in the
application of a penalty.
Awarding bodies monitor social media and websites. They do not wish to see candidates jeopardise
their marks or grades as there are significant consequences for anyone caught breaching the rules for
examinations, controlled assessment or coursework.
The rules are set by the Joint Council for QualificationsCIC (JCQCIC) on behalf of all the awarding
bodies and can be found at: http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice
Examples of statements or activities that will lead to a malpractice investigation include:
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copying or allowing work to be copied – i.e. posting written work on social networking sites
prior to an examination/assessment;
collusion: working collaboratively with other candidates beyond what is permitted;
allowing others to help produce your work or helping others with theirs;
being in possession of confidential material in advance of the examination;
exchanging, obtaining, receiving or passing on information by any means of communication
(even if just attempting to);
passing on rumours of exam content from another candidate.
This list is not exhaustive. Other instances of candidate malpractice may be considered
by an awarding body.
If you are found guilty of breaching any of these rules you could find yourself facing:
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a warning;
the loss of marks for a section, component or unit;
disqualification from a unit, all units or qualifications; or
a ban from sitting exams for a set period of time.
You must familiarise yourself with the rules:
http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates-documents
Take care to avoid possible malpractice and the application of a penalty.
JCQcic 2014
This notice has been produced on behalf of:
AQA, CCEA, OCR, Pearson and WJEC
Information for candidates - controlled assessments
This document tells you about some things that you must and must not do when you are
completing your work.
When you submit any work for marking, you will be asked to sign an authentication
statement confirming that you have read and followed these regulations.
If there is anything that you do not understand, you must ask your teacher or lecturer.
Controlled assessment will provide you with an opportunity to do some independent research into a
topic. The research you do may involve looking for information in published sources such as textbooks,
encyclopedias, journals, TV, radio, and on the internet.
Using information from published sources (including the internet) as the basis for your assignment is a
good way to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a subject. You must take care how
you use this material though - you cannot copy it and claim it as your own work.
The regulations state that:
“the work which you submit for assessment must be your own”;
“you must not copy from someone else or allow another candidate to copy from you”.
If you use the same wording as a published source, you must place quotation marks around the
passage and state where it came from. This is called “referencing”. You must make sure that you give
detailed references for everything in your work which is not in your own words. A reference from a
printed book or journal should show the name of the author, the year of publication and the page
number, for example: (Morrison, 2000, pg.29).
For material taken from the internet, your reference should show the date when the material was
downloaded and must show the precise web page, not the search engine used to locate it. This can be
copied from the address line. For example:
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/16/sosteacher/history/49766.shtml), downloaded 5 February 2016.
You may be required to include a bibliography at the end of your work. Your teacher or lecturer will
tell you whether a bibliography is necessary. Where required, your bibliography must list the full
details of publications you have used in your research, even where these are not directly referred to,
for example: Morrison, A. (2000) ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’, London: Weston Press.
If you copy the words or ideas of others and don’t show your sources in references
and a bibliography, this will be considered as cheating.
1
Preparing your work – good practice
If you receive help and guidance from someone other than your teacher, you must tell your teacher
who will then record the nature of the assistance given to you.
If you worked as part of a group on an assignment, for example, undertaking field research, you must
each write up your own account of the assignment. Even if the data you have is the same, the
description of how that data was obtained and the conclusions you draw from it should be in your own
words.
You must meet the deadlines that your teacher gives you. Remember - your teachers are there to
guide you. Although they cannot give you direct assistance, they can help you to sort out any
problems before it is too late.
Take care of your work and keep it safe. Don’t leave it lying around where your classmates can find it.
You must always keep your work secure and confidential whilst you are preparing it; do not share it
with your classmates. If it is stored on the computer network, keep your password secure. Collect all
copies from the printer and destroy those you don’t need.
Don’t be tempted to use essays from on-line essay banks — this is cheating. Electronic tools used by
awarding bodies can detect this sort of copying.
You must not write inappropriate, offensive or obscene material.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves taking someone else’s words, thoughts or ideas and trying to pass them off as your
own. It is a form of cheating which is taken very seriously.
Don’t think you won’t be caught; there are many ways to detect plagiarism.

Markers can spot changes in the style of writing and use of language.

Markers are highly experienced subject specialists who are very familiar with work on the topic
concerned — they may have read the source you are using (or even marked the essay you have
copied from!).

Internet search engines and specialised computer software can be used to match phrases or pieces
of text with original sources and to detect changes in the grammar and style of writing or
punctuation.
Penalties for breaking the regulations
If your work is submitted and it is discovered that you have broken the regulations, one of the
following penalties will be applied:

the piece of work will be awarded zero marks;

you will be disqualified from that unit for the examination series in question;

you will be disqualified from the whole subject for that examination series;

you will be disqualified from all subjects and barred from entering again for a period of time.
Your awarding body will decide which penalty is appropriate.
REMEMBER – IT’S YOUR QUALIFICATION SO IT NEEDS TO BE YOUR OWN WORK
©2015
2
BLANK PAGE
Examination Equipment Checklist
For every exam, you should bring with you:
•
•
•
•
•
Black pens (not gel or erasable)
Pencils
Eraser
Pencil sharpener
Ruler
all contained in a clear plastic container/pencil case.
Some exams required additional materials - make sure you bring these with you:
GCSE Subject
Additional Materials
Biology
Calculator
Business Studies
Calculator
Chemistry
Calculator
Design & Technology
Colouring pencils
English Literature
Clean (unannotated) copies of your prose and drama texts – these will
not be provided to you. Poetry books will be available.
Geography
At least three coloured pencils, string (approx. 15 cm)
Mathematics
Protractor or angle indicator
Compass
Calculator (for Paper 2 only)
Physics
Calculator, protractor or angle indicator
Science
Calculator
Additional Science
Calculator
You may also wish to bring:
•
•
Highlighters (to be used to highlight questions, words and phrases on the question paper only)
Water (in a clear plastic container with a sports cap lid free of any labels).
REMEMBER:
•
•
Do not bring mobile phones, iWatches, iPods or any other technology into the examination room
Do not bring your calculator lid into the examination room.
- 16 -
AQA
City & Guilds
CCEA
OCR
Pearson
WJEC
Information for candidates
For written examinations – effective from 1 September 2015
This document has been written to help you. Read it carefully and follow the instructions.
If there is anything you do not understand, especially which calculator you may use, ask your teacher.
A
1
2
3
4
Regulations – Make sure you understand the rules
Be on time for all your exams. If you are late, your work might not be accepted.
Do not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice during the exam.
If you try to cheat, or break the rules in any way, you could be disqualified from all your subjects.
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.
5
6
7
8
9
B
1
2
3
4
5
6
C
1
2
3
D
1
2
3
4
5
6
E
1
2
3
F
1
2
3
© 2015
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.
Do not use correcting pens, fluid or tape, erasable pens, highlighters or gel pens in your answers.
Do not talk to or try to communicate with, or disturb other candidates once the exam has started.
You must not write inappropriate, obscene or offensive material.
If you leave the exam room unaccompanied by an invigilator before the exam has finished, you will not be allowed to return.
Do not borrow anything from another candidate during the exam.
Information – Make sure you attend your exams and bring what you need
Know the dates and times of all your exams.
Arrive at least ten minutes before the start of each exam.
If you arrive late for an exam, report to the invigilator running the exam.
If you arrive more than one hour after the published starting time for the exam, you may not be allowed to take it.
Only take into the exam room the pens, pencils, erasers and any other equipment which you need for the exam.
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.
Calculators, Dictionaries and Computer Spell-checkers
You may use a calculator unless you are told otherwise.
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.
Do not use a dictionary or computer spell checker unless you are told otherwise.
Instructions during the exam
Always listen to the invigilator. Follow their instructions at all times.
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.
Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and/or on the answer booklet.
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.
Remember to write your answers within the designated sections of the answer booklet.
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.
Advice and assistance
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.
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.
You must not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions.
At the end of the exam
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.
Do not leave the exam room until told to do so by the invigilator.
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.
AQA
City & Guilds
CCEA
OCR
Pearson
WJEC
NO iPODs, iWATCHES,
MOBILE PHONES,
MP3/4 PLAYERS
NO POTENTIAL
TECHNOLOGICAL/WEB ENABLED
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Possession of unauthorised items, such as a mobile
phone, is a serious offence and could result in
DISQUALIFICATION
from your examination and your overall
qualification.
This poster must be displayed in a prominent place outside each examination room.
©2015