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Student Exam Information

As we get closer to the examination series, here is some useful and important information for all candidates to read and understand before their first exam.​

Student Studying

What to Expect on Exam Day

  • If you are not sitting your exam at the Bodmin centre, your timetable will clearly show the location of each exam.

  • Any approved Access Arrangements will be noted on your timetable.

  • Morning exams start promptly at 9:30am. Afternoon exams start at 1:30pm, except Business on Thursday 21st May, which starts at 2:00pm.

  • Please arrive 10 minutes early for all exams so you have time to settle in. Some candidates will be asked to arrive 30 minutes early if required, this will be stated on your timetable.

  • Parking at the Bodmin centre is very limited. Candidates may be dropped off and collected at reception.

  • Bring all required equipment for your exam, including a drink in a clear, see-through bottle. No food is permitted.

  • Do not bring bags, coats or mobile phones unless absolutely necessary. These items are not allowed in the exam room, and storage space is limited. Centre staff will contact parents or carers if needed.

  • If you are being collected after your exam, please ensure arrangements are made for the official finish time, not before. This is a busy period, so please be patient with staff managing safe collection and traffic flow.

  • Candidates are not permitted to leave the exam room earlier than one hour after the official start time (10:30am for morning exams and 2:30pm for afternoon exams).

  • If you are running late or encounter any issues on the day, please call 01208 640592 as soon as possible.

  • Arriving after 10:00am (morning exams) or 2:30pm (afternoon exams) means your exam will be reported to the exam board as very late. The exam board will decide whether to accept your paper. In some cases, entry to the exam may not be possible if a late finish cannot be accommodated.

  • Be prepared to write your full legal name on each exam paper exactly as instructed.make sure you fill the boxes correctly. Use your full name (not shortened names). If unsure, invigilators will be available to help.

  • A candidate identity card will be on your desk showing your name, candidate number and any approved access arrangements.

  • Once you enter the exam room, you will be under formal exam conditions. You must remain silent unless you raise your hand to speak to an invigilator.

Arriving at the Bodmin Centre

  • Stop by the back door so we can tick your name off the register.

  • Drive around to the front door and get out of the car.

  • You will be reminded not to take any unauthorised items into the centre.

  • You will be directed to look at the seating plan.

  • Enter the centre and find your seat.

  • Do not talk to anyone once you enter the centre unless a member of centre staff asks you a question.

  • Once seated check your candidate identity card.

  • Do not open or write on your paper until told to do so.

  • Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions. If you have a question, please raise your hand. 

Arriving at the Exam Venue
(not Bodmin Centre)

  • Please arrive 10 minutes before the exam starts.

  • You are welcome to arrive a little earlier if you need more time to settle.

Home Invigilation

  • If your exam is at your home address your invigilator will arrive half an hour before the start time to ensure the exam begins on time. 

Access Arrangements

  • Check your candidate identity card. Make sure you have the expected Access Arrangements. 

  • If you have rest breaks, you will have a red card on your desk. Please hold this up to indicate that you need a rest break. An invigilator will facilitate this as soon as possible. You will be taken outside. Your exam time will be paused and restarted upon your return. Rest breaks will not exceed five minutes. It is expected that candidates will need no more than 2 or 3 rest breaks depending on the length of the exam. 

  • If you have a laptop there will be an instruction sheet on your desk. Please read this. An invigilator will remove this once you have started the exam. Invigilators will support you with this. Please raise your hand if you need help. At the end of the exam you will need to wait while your script is printed. You must check and sign this before you leave. 

  • If you have a 'Reader' or a 'Scribe' make sure you communicate clearly with your invigilator. They will explain at the beginning of the exam what they are allowed to do.

Leaving the Exam

  • When leaving the exam hall please be quiet/keep noise to a minimum until you are outside and away from the exam centre as other candidates may still be working there exam.

  • Please calculate what time you expect to finish the exam and arrange to be collected 15 minutes after that time to allow for any delays and congestion. Include extra time and rest breaks if appropriate. 

  • We expect all candidates to use their full time. If for some reason you finish much earlier than expected you will be allowed to leave. We will phone whoever is collecting you to let them know that you have finished. 

  • If you tell us that you have arranged to be collected elsewhere we will allow you to leave at the end of your exam, by yourself, without a parent or carer. We will not make you wait to be collected by a parent or carer. 

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