Your local Private Exam Centre

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for Autumn 2025 Exams

We are an Approved Centre to conduct GCSE, IGCSE, GCE and other examinations for Pearson Edexcel, AQA, OCR and CAIE awarding bodies.

National Centre Number: 13356 | UKPRN:10067040

Registered UCAS centre

Exam Centre for Private Candidates

Ark Exam Centre offers affordable, accessible assessments tailored to your individual needs. Ark Exam Centre provides inclusive assessment options for a wide range of learners, irrespective of their educational status, age, or background. Whether you are a Home Educator, Distance Learner, Excluded Learner, or Private Candidate, we offer a secure and welcoming environment with a dedicated team focused on delivering exceptional service. Our staff will support you from initial inquiry to certification. To register, complete our application form or contact us at 0203 441 7272 for assistance from our knowledgeable team.

Ark Exam Centre, situated in the vibrant East London, is a conveniently located and budget-friendly examination facility catering to a diverse range of candidates. Our primary goal is to meet the assessment requirements of various individuals, including learners who want to additional subjects, home educators, distance learners, excluded and local authority learners, as well as independent learners.

Easy access

Small Exam rooms

Helpful Staff

Wide range of subjects

We are approved to accept candidates for,

ENTRY DEADLINES

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the published entry deadlines. The Centre cannot guarantee availability closer to the deadline, as spaces may be limited or fully booked. Additionally, any entries submitted after the deadline will be subject to late entry fees in accordance with the Centre’s terms and conditions. Click here to find full details of current deadlines.

Applications with Access Arrangements

Candidates requiring Access Arrangements must be aware that the application deadline for such arrangements differs from the standard entry deadline. This is to ensure the Centre has adequate time to assess, process, and implement the necessary provisions in accordance with JCQ guidelines. It is the responsibility of the candidate to initiate this process early and to provide all required documentation within the specified timeframe. Click here for the deadlines for applications with Access Arrangements.

Answers on questions

Faq

Do I need to bring ID to my exam?

You must bring photographic ID to your exam. This must be the same ID you used at the time of the registration, for example current valid Passport. Candidates without photographic ID, whose identity cannot be confirmed, will not be permitted to sit the exam.

What time does the exam start?

For A Level and GCSE exams; morning exams start at 9.00am and afternoon exams start from 1.00pm. On-demand exams or vocational exams may have different start times – please consult the Exam Officer.

What time do I need to arrive?

For morning exams, we recommend that you arrive at 8.30am. For afternoon exam we recommend that you arrive at 12.30pm. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before your exam start time.

Can I leave early if I finished my exam?

Where there are no restrictions, you are allowed to leave if you have completed your exam before the given end time. However for exams with key times and we will ask you to wait under supervised conditions until the correct Key Time even if you have completed your exam.

More FAQ

What others are saying

Testimonials

Support for My GCSE Arabic Journey

“I took my GCSE Arabic exam at Ark Exam Centre as a private candidate since it wasn’t offered at my school. The centre was conveniently located and the staff made everything so easy to arrange. It was a great experience from start to finish.”

Valuable Mock Exams and Expert UCAS Support

“I used Ark Exam Centre’s mock examination service to obtain predicted grades for my UCAS application. The feedback and advice I received after the mocks were incredibly insightful—they helped me refine my study methods and focus on the areas that really mattered. A truly helpful and supportive experience.”

Efficient and Reliable Exam Proctoring

“I used Ark Exam Centre’s university proctoring service and was really impressed with their fast response times and professionalism. Everything was arranged efficiently, and the experience gave me peace of mind during my exam. Highly recommended.”

A Level Computer Science – Complete Support from Start to Finish

“I took A Level Computer Science (OCR) with Ark Exam Centre and completed my NEA project under their supervision. The process was smooth and professional, and I appreciated their clear guidance every step of the way. Their pricing was fair, and the quality of service exceeded my expectations.”