Sharing Examination Information

JCQ regulations require centres to share specific exams-related information with candidates, parents/carers and centre staff. It is the responsibility of the senior leader/line manager to lead on the sharing of this information

The NAEO strongly recommends that every centre has a dedicated space within their centre website which includes exam-specific information.

JCQ information and who this should be shared with

When and how this information must be shared

JCQ Information for candidates (General Regulations for Approved Centres, section 5.8 & Instructions for conducting examinations, Introduction)

  • This information must be distributed to all candidates prior to assessments and/or examinations taking place
  • This information may be distributed electronically or in hard copy format or placed on the centre’s website with the respective link e-mailed to candidates with an appropriately worded message
  • The dissemination of this information should be followed up by a briefing session or assembly led by a senior member of staff to reinforce what candidates must/must not do

Exam room posters (General Regulations for Approved Centres, section 5.8 & Instructions for conducting examinations, section 11.17)

  • Candidates must be made aware of the contents of these posters prior to assessments and/or examinations taking place
  • The posters must be displayed in a prominent place for all candidates to see prior to entering the examination room

Written complaints policy and internal appeals procedures (General Regulations for Approved Centres, section 5.8)

  • This policy must be drawn to the attention of candidates and parents/carers

Written internal appeals procedure (General Regulations for Approved Centres, sections 5.3, 5.7 & 5.13)

  • This procedure must be brought to the attention of candidates and parents/carers
  • This procedure must be made widely available and accessible to all candidates
  • This procedure may be placed on the centre’s website or alternatively may be made available to candidates upon request

Written examination contingency plan (General Regulations for Approved Centres, section 5.3 & Instructions for conducting examinations, section 15)

  • Ensure that relevant centre staff are familiar with the contingency plan
  • Consideration should be given as to how these contingency arrangements will be communicated to candidates, parents and staff should disruption occur

Notice to centres: The people present in the examination room (Instructions for conducting examinations, section 17 & Appendix 8)

  • This notice must be brought to attention of centre staff other than exams officers and invigilators
  • All members of centre staff must be aware of this notice so that they are clear about their role in the examination room
  • The Exams Office recommends that this notice is disseminated to Senior Leaders, Heads of Departments and displayed in the staff room/rooms

Written procedures for dealing with candidates' requests for post-results services (General Regulations for Approved Centres, section 5.13)

  • Details of the procedures must be made widely available and accessible to all candidates
  • Candidates must be made aware of the arrangements for post-results services prior to the issue of results

Availability of senior members of centre staff immediately after the publication of results (General Regulations for Approved Centres, section 5.13 & Post-Results Services, section 4.1.1)

  • Senior members of centre staff must be accessible to candidates so that results may be discussed and decisions made on the submission of reviews of marking
  • Candidates must be informed of the periods during which centre staff will be available so that they may plan accordingly

Post-results process, including the published deadlines for clerical re-checks, reviews of marking and reviews of moderation (Post-Results Services, section 4.1.1)

  • Relevant centre staff must be made fully aware of the various post-results services offered by the awarding bodies
  • Relevant centre staff must be made fully aware of the internal processes for requesting post-results services 

How should this information be shared?

Below are some options for sharing this information:

  • Briefing sessions (e.g. assembly) led or supported by SLT/Head of Year
  • During class/teaching time
  • Candidate Exam Handbook (template available from The Exams Office website)
  • Electronic via the school/college website
  • Other methods e.g. parents’ evening, newsletters
  • The Exams Office Instructions for Candidates video: The Exams Office gives permission for centres to show this animated video to candidates, and shared with parents, and add this to their website, ahead of an examination series to highlight the rules which apply before, during and after an examination reflecting Appendix 5 of JCQ’s Instructions for conducting examinations. Please note that this video does not cover sections B1, B2, B3 and E1 of Appendix 5.

Candidate briefing

The image below details the areas which may be covered during a candidate briefing/assembly.

Senior leaders/line managers can download the presentation template which should be amended to include centre-specific information, as detailed in the guidance notes below:

Student Exam Briefing Guidance Notes

Sample Exam Briefing Presentation