GCSE Exams Handbook

GCSE Exams Handbook 2017-18

Contents Introduction and contact details.. 2 Page Preparation Your legal name and candidate number 3 Individual timetable. 3 Equipment and unauthorised materials 4 Use of calculators.. 5 Examination regulations 5 Pre-exams checklist. 5 On the day of the exam When to arrive... 6 Before the exam. 6 In the exam room.. 7 During the exam. 8 Behaviour and malpractice. 8 At the end of the exam. 8 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 9 Appendix Revision tips.. 11 GCSE 2018 timetable.. 12 Notices for Candidates.. 16 1

Introduction Dear Student, It is our aim at King s School to make the exams experience as stress-free and successful for you as possible. We have put together this handbook to give you all the information you need so that you can be well-prepared for all your exams. Please: - Read it carefully - Make sure you are aware of all the regulations and procedures - Keep it in a safe place so that you can refer to it when you need to The Examination Boards set out strict rules and regulations which must be followed by the school and all of our students. These rules are designed to ensure all exams are fair and take place with minimal disruption. Therefore please 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. As well as the information contained in this book there is also an FAQ section at the back; hopefully we have covered everything that you need to know but if there is anything you do not understand or any question that has not been addressed then please ask. If you have any queries or need help or advice at any time before, during or after the exams, please contact us. Exams Office Mrs Vitty Examinations Officer Email: exams@kingsschoolhove.org.uk Telephone: 01273840004 Office Location: Finance Office, just off the Science corridor 2

Preparation 1. Your Legal Name and Candidate Number You are entered for your exams using your legal name. This is because your exam certificates are legal documents so they must match your birth certificate or passport to prove that the qualifications are yours and not anyone else s. If you want your certificates in your preferred name, you have to provide the school with a Change of Name Deed. Your legal name will be shown on your candidate card. Always use this name on your exam answer booklets/papers. The candidate number identifies you to the exam board. It is unique to you within the school. Ensure it is recorded on ALL answer booklets/scripts/controlled assessments. 2. Individual Timetable You will receive your individual timetable before the Easter holiday. This is your personalised timetable showing you the dates and finalised times of your exams. Please check it carefully and make sure all the information is correct: Your personal details: legal name, date of birth and candidate number Exams: check that you have been entered for all the correct exams at the correct tier If you spot any mistakes or have any questions about your timetable, please speak to either your subject teacher or Mrs Vitty in the Finance Office. Make sure this information is correct Subject and tier Check with your teacher 3

3. Equipment and Unauthorised materials Before the exam season starts, please make sure that you have all the equipment you will need. You are responsible for bringing your own equipment to all your exams. 4

4. Use of calculators in GCSE exams Candidates may use calculators for GCSE Mathematics (Paper 2 only), Science and Geography. You are responsible for the following: The calculator s power supply; The calculator s working condition; Clearing anything stored in the calculator. Calculators must be: 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 Calculators must not: Be designed or adapted to offer any of these facilities: o Language translators; o Symbolic algebra manipulation; o Symbolic differentiation or integration; o 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: o Databanks; o Dictionaries; o Mathematical formulas; o Text. 5. Examination regulations All schools have to follow the JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) regulations for exams. Their Information for Candidates and Warning to Candidates documents are printed at the back of this booklet. Please read these carefully. If you break any of the rules or regulations, you may be disqualified from your exams. The Exams staff and invigilators have a duty to report any breach of regulations to the exam boards. 6. Pre-exams checklist Check your timetable; make sure your personal details are correct. Check you have been entered for the correct subjects and tiers. If there are any mistakes or changes speak to your teacher or Mrs Vitty (Exams Officer) as soon as possible. Make sure you have confirmed any necessary access arrangements with Ms Dale Make sure you have the correct equipment. 5

On the day of the exam 1. When to arrive Morning exams start at 9am. You should be in school by 8.30am as normal and start lining up in the playground at 8:35am. Afternoon exams start at 1.30pm. You should start lining up in the playground straight after lunch at 12:55pm. Note that these timings and locations are different to the mocks. 2. Before the exam Put bags and coats at the back of the room. Check that you have all the necessary equipment with you and switch off and hand over any unauthorised valuables (phones, smart watches etc.). If you need to go to the toilet, you should go before the exam as you will not normally be allowed to go during the exam. Check the seating plan to see where you will be sitting. Copies will be displayed on the playground and on entrance of Portslade Baptist Church. Lining up A B C Line up in your rows behind the letters in the church carpark. Listen carefully to instructions from the teachers/invigilators. Place switched off mobile phones in numbered wallets; you will be given these back afterwards. When instructed, make your way into the church in absolute silence. Plus corridor If you are in the plus corridor for your exams instead of the church, Ms Dale or Mrs Vitty will tell which room you are in beforehand. Check with Mrs Vitty if you are unsure. Go straight to your room instead of lining up outside the church. You must wait outside the room until an invigilator tells you to go in. Sickness, lateness and emergencies 6

If you feel ill or there is another emergency before you get to school, please ask your parent/carer to ring the school to speak to Mrs Vitty as soon as possible. She will advise you as to what your options are. If you are running late, please ring the school and ask to speak to or leave a message for Mrs Vitty to let her know you will be late. When you arrive, go straight to the church. 3. In the exam room As soon as you are in the exam room, you are under strict exam conditions. Remain in absolute silence. You must not communicate with other students in any way, including through eye contact, facial expressions or body language. Find your desk and sit down. There will be a card with your name and candidate number on it. If you need anything or have a question, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator. Do not ask other candidates. Listen carefully to the invigilator s instructions. When the invigilator asks you to check that you have no mobiles or other unauthorised items, please do so. This is your last chance to hand in any items. Once the exam has started, any unauthorised items found will be reported to the exam board and you may be disqualified. Invigilators The school employs external invigilators to conduct the examinations. They are there to ensure that the exams are well-organised and fair, and to support you if you need help. You are expected to behave in a respectful manner towards all invigilators and follow their instructions at all times. Please note that invigilators cannot discuss the examination paper with you or explain the questions. If you are disruptive or behave in an unacceptable manner, you will be removed from the examination room by members of the Senior Management Team. Filling in the front of your exam paper Please make sure that you fill in the front of your paper correctly. Your name must be the same as the name on your candidate card, which is your legal name. Make sure that you write it on all your answer papers. 7

4. During the exam Read the instructions carefully. Make sure you answer the correct questions. Show all your working/rough work. Cross it through when you ve finished with it. Hand it in with the rest of your answers. Leave yourself 5-10 minutes at the end to read through and check all your answers. If you need anything, have a question or feel unwell, put your hand up and wait for an invigilator. If the fire alarm sounds Remain seated in silence and listen to the instructions from the invigilator. When the invigilator tells you to, you will evacuate to the green next to the church. You must not talk. If you are found talking about the exam, you could be disqualified. If it is safe to go back inside, you will be instructed to return to the church and resume the exam. You will be given the full time to complete the exam. 5. Behaviour and malpractice The exams staff have a duty to report any suspected or actual cases of malpractice to the exam boards. These include: Any form of communication with another student, e.g. talking, whispering, making eye contact, trying to distract another student, laughing Disruptive behaviour Using unauthorised items, such as phones and notes, writing on hands, in shoes If you try to cheat or break the rules in any way, you could be disqualified from all your subjects. 6. At the end of the exam You must stop writing when instructed to by the invigilator. Remain seated in silence while the invigilators collect the papers. The invigilator will dismiss you in rows. You must stay silent until you have left the hall. Please leave quietly as there may still be students working. Remember to collect your belongings from the back of the room. 8

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Do I have to wear school uniform? Yes, you must wear full school uniform for all your exams. What if there s a clash or a subject missing on my timetable? Speak to your teacher or Mrs Vitty (Exams Officer) as soon as possible. What if I lose my timetable? You should try to keep your timetable in a safe place and also write the dates and times of your exams in a planner or calendar. If you have lost your timetable and do not know the dates of your exams, you can consult the timetables on the Exams noticeboard or ask Mrs Vitty to print another copy. What if I m late will I still be able to sit the exam? If you are running late, you should telephone the school as soon as possible to let us know. Depending on how late you are, you may be able to sit the exam as soon as you arrive (you will be given the full time to complete the exam). What do I do if I think I have the wrong paper? Invigilators will ask you to check that you have the right paper before the start of the exam. If you have the wrong paper, put your hand up and let the invigilator know immediately. What equipment should I bring? See the section about this on page 4. You must not attempt to borrow equipment from another candidate during an exam. I am entitled to extra time how will this affect the way I take my exams? Generally you will be seated with other extra time students at the back of the exam room. The invigilators will display the finishing time of your exam on the board. What do I do if I have an accident or am ill BEFORE an exam? Inform the school as soon as possible so we can help or advise you. You will need to provide medical evidence (from your GP or hospital). If I miss an exam can I take it on another day? No. What materials are not allowed in the exam room? See the section about this on page 4. You should check your pockets and pencil case for any of these materials and leave them in your bags. Invigilators will also ask you to check before the start of the exam; this is your last chance to hand these items in. If they are found on you during the exam, you could be disqualified. What if I m unwell during the exam? Put your hand up and wait for an invigilator to help you. 9

Can I go to the toilet during an exam? You will not normally be allowed to go to the toilet during exams as this can be disruptive to other students. However, if it is absolutely necessary, you will be escorted by an invigilator. You will not be allowed any extra time. Can I leave the exam early if I ve finished? No. If you finish the exam early, you must stay seated in the exam room until the exam ends. This is because it can be disruptive to other students if people leave at different times. You should use any remaining time you have to check over your answers. When will I get my results? Your mock results will available from 11 th December 2017 and progress will be discussed at the Year 11 Parents Evening on 4 th January 2018. Your GCSE results will be available to collect from school on Thursday 23 rd August and certificates will be available between September November 2018. You will be given further details about results day in the summer term. 10

Appendix 11

King s Exam Timetable 2018 Monday 14 th May AM Computer Science Paper 1 (J276 OCR) 1h 30m PM Religious Studies Paper 1 (8062 AQA) 1h 45m Tuesday 15 th May AM French Listening (1FR0 Edexcel) 35m/45m French Reading (1FR0 Edexcel) 45m/1h PM Biology Paper 1 (8461/8464 AQA) 1h 45m Wednesday 16 th May AM Physical Education Paper 1 (8582 AQA) 1h 15m PM Religious Studies Paper 2 (8062 AQA) 1hr 45m Thursday 17 th May AM Chemistry Paper 1 (8462/8464 AQA) 1h 45m PM Computer Science Paper 2 (J276 OCR) 1h 30m Friday 18 th May AM French Writing (1FR0 Edexcel) 1h 10m/1 h 20m PM Physical Education Paper 2 (8582 AQA) 1h 15m PM Drama (1DR0 Edexcel) 1h 30m Tuesday 22 nd May AM English Literature Paper 1 (1ET0 Edexcel) 1h 45m PM Geography Paper 1 (8035 AQA) 1h 30m Wednesday 23 rd May AM Business Studies (4130 AQA) 1h PM Physics Paper 1 (8462/8464 AQA) 1h 45m Thursday 24 th May AM Mathematics Paper 1 (Non-calculator 1MA1 Edexcel) 1h 30m 12

Friday 25 th May AM English Literature Paper 2 (1ET0 Edexcel) 2h 15m Monday 4 th June AM History Paper 1 (1HI0 Edexcel) 1h 15m Tuesday 5 th June AM English Language Paper 1 (1EN0 Edexcel) 1h 45m PM Geography Paper 2 (8035 AQA) 1h 30m Wednesday 6 th June AM Spanish Listening (1SP0 Edexcel) 35m/45m Spanish Reading (1SP0 Edexcel) 45m/1h PM Music (1MU0 Edexcel) 1h 45m Business Studies Paper 2 (4130 AQA) 1h Thursday 7 th June AM Mathematics Paper 2 (Calculator 1 MA1 Edexcel) 1h 30m Friday 8 th June AM English Language Paper 2 (1EN0 Edexcel) 2h PM History Paper 2 (1HI0 Edexcel) 1h 45m Monday 11 th June AM Biology Paper 2 (8461/8464 AQA) 1h 45m Tuesday 12 th June AM Mathematics Paper 3 (Calculator 1MA1 Edexcel) 1h 30m PM History Paper 3 (1HI0 Edexcel) 1h 20m Wednesday 13 th June AM Chemistry Paper 2 (8462/8464 AQA) 1h 45m Thursday 14 th June AM Spanish Writing (1SP0 Edexcel) 1h 10m/1h 20m Friday 15 th June 13

AM Physics Paper 2 (8463 AQA) 1h 45m Friday 22 nd June AM D&T: Product Design (J305 OCR) 2h 14

Produced on behalf of: AQA, City & Guilds, CCEA, OCR, Pearson and WJEC Information for candidates Privacy Notice General and Vocational qualifications Effective from 1 September 2017 The JCQ awarding bodies will process your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and from when it comes into force the General Data Protection Regulation, and any regulatory requirements as specified by the qualification regulators of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Correspondence on any aspect of a candidate s examination or assessment will only be conducted between the awarding body and the head of the centre, a member of the senior leadership team or the examinations officer. Awarding bodies will undertake the following administrative activities in relation to the processing and exchange of candidates personal data: 1. Personal data relating to the name(s), date of birth, gender, Unique Candidate Identifier (UCI) or Unique Learner Number (ULN) of an individual candidate will always be collected by an awarding body for the purposes of examining and awarding qualifications. In some cases additional information, which may include sensitive personal data relating to health, will also be collected to support requests for access arrangements and reasonable adjustments and/or special consideration. Such personal data will be supplemented by the results of examinations and assessments undertaken by the respective candidate. 2. A candidate s personal data will only be collected from registered examination centres in the context of examination entries and/or certification claims. 3. Such data collected will not be used by an awarding body other than for examination administration purposes, conducting examinations and assessments and the issuing of examination results and certificates. Candidates personal data including examination results and outcomes of any reviews of marking, reviews of moderation and appeals may be shared by the awarding body with the centre which entered the candidates, as well as within a consortium or Academy Trust of which the centre is a member. 4. Personal data within candidates work will be collected and processed by an awarding body for the purposes of marking, issuing of examination results and providing candidates with access to post-results services. Examination results will be retained for a minimum of forty years. In order for an awarding body to achieve this, some personal information may be transferred to third parties such as examiners, who may in some instances, reside outside the European Economic Area. 5. Awarding bodies may be required to provide a candidate s personal data to educational agencies such as DfE, WG, DE, The Skills Funding Agency, regulators, HESA, UCAS, 15

Local Authorities, EFA and Learning Records Service (LRS). Additionally, candidates personal data may be provided to a central record of qualifications approved by the awarding bodies for statistical and policy development purposes. 6. Some of the information candidates supply will be used by the Skills Funding Agency to fulfil its statutory functions, issue/verify a candidate s Unique Learner Number (ULN) and update/check a candidate s Personal Learning Record. The Skills Funding Agency may share a candidate s ULN and Personal Learning Record with other education related organisations, such as a careers service, a candidate s school or college, Government Departments and public bodies responsible for education. Further details of how information is processed and shared can be found at: http://www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk/ 7. Awarding bodies are obliged to confirm what personal data is held, what it is held for, to whom the data is to/may be disclosed to, and disclose the information that they hold about data subjects, (e.g. the candidates) within 40 days of receiving a formal request for disclosure, subject to the application of any relevant exemptions under the Data Protection Act 1998. Candidates should make an application to the appropriate awarding body s data protection officer. Awarding bodies may charge a fee for this service. 8. If you have not reached the age of 16, you may first wish to discuss this Privacy Notice with your parent or carer. Awarding bodies, schools, Department for Education (DfE), Welsh Government (WG), Department of Education Northern Ireland (DE), Local Authorities, regulators, Ofsted, and Skills Funding Agency (SFA) are all data controllers under the Data Protection Act 1998. They will determine the purpose(s) for which personal data (information about living individuals from which they can be identified) is processed and the way in which that processing is undertaken. It is a requirement for data controllers to provide data subjects (individuals who are the subject of personal data) with details of who they are, the purposes for which they process the personal data, and any other information that is necessary to make the processing of the personal data secure and accurate, including any third parties to whom it may be passed to. 16

AQA City & Guilds CCEA OCR Pearson WJEC Information for candidates For written examinations effective from 1 September 2017 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 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, a mobile phone, a MP3/4 player, a smartwatch 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 If you wear a wrist watch the invigilator will ask you to remove it and place it on your desk. 6 Do not use correcting pens, fluid or tape, erasable pens, highlighters or gel pens in your answers. 7 Do not talk to or try to communicate with, or disturb other candidates once the exam has started. 8 You must not write inappropriate, obscene or offensive material. 9 If you leave the exam room unaccompanied by an invigilator before the exam has finished, you will not be allowed to return. 10 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. Arrive at least ten minutes before the start of each exam. 2 If you arrive late for an exam, report to the invigilator running the exam. 3 If you arrive more than one hour after the published starting time for the exam, you may not be allowed to take it. 4 Only take into the exam room the pens, pencils, erasers and any other equipment which you need for the exam. 5 You must write clearly and 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 17

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 supplementary answer sheets, place them in the correct order. Place any loose additional answer sheets inside your answer booklet. 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. 2017 AQA City & Guilds CCEA OCR Pearson 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. The Warning to Candidates must be displayed in a prominent place outside each examination room. This may be a hard copy A3 paper version or an image of the poster projected onto a wall or screen for all candidates to see. Effective from 1 September 2014 2014 18

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Internal Appeals Policy for Centre Assessed Marks The JCQ and its awarding body members (AQA, CCEA, OCR, Pearson and WJEC) wish to remind centres that candidates must now be informed of their centre assessed marks so that they may request a review of the centre s marking before marks are submitted to the awarding body. https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/non-examination-assessments/notice-to-centres--- reviews-of-marking-centre-assessed-marks King s School is committed to ensuring that whenever its staff mark candidates work this is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with the awarding body s specification and subject-specific associated documents. Candidates work will be marked by staff who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skill, and who have been trained in this activity. King s School is committed to ensuring that work produced by candidates is authenticated in line with the requirements of the awarding body. Where a number of subject teachers are involved in marking candidates work, internal moderation and standardisation will ensure consistency of marking. 1. King s School will ensure that candidates are informed of their centre assessed marks so that they may request a review of the centre s marking before marks are submitted to the awarding body. 2. King s School will inform candidates that they may request copies of materials to assist them in considering whether to request a review of the centre s marking of the assessment. 3. King s School will, having received a request for copies of materials, promptly make them available to the candidate. 4. King s School will provide candidates with sufficient time in order to allow them to review copies of materials and reach a decision. 5. Requests for reviews of marking must be made in writing. 6. King s School will allow sufficient time for the review to be carried out, to make any necessary changes to marks and to inform the candidate of the outcome, all before the awarding body s deadline. 7. King s School will ensure that the review of marking is carried out by an assessor who has appropriate competence, has had no previous involvement in the assessment of that candidate and has no personal interest in the review. 8. King s School will instruct the reviewer to ensure that the candidate s mark is consistent with the standard set by the centre. 9. The candidate will be informed in writing of the outcome of the review of the centre s marking. October 2017 21