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Frequently Asked Questions

On or before the Exam Day

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 do exams start?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I’m late for my exam?

You must contact the Centre if you believe you will be late for the exam. Candidates who arrive 30 minutes after the exam has started may not be able to sit the exam and the awarding organisation might not accept your exam paper. Candidates who arrive after their exam has finished will not be permitted to sit the exam.

What happens if I can’t attend my exam?

You should contact the Exams Officer if you are unable to attend the exam. If you have experienced an unavoidable exceptional circumstance beyond your control that has caused you to miss your exam, you may be able to apply for special consideration, but you must provide evidence. Please speak to the examination officer who will be able to advise you.

If I’m absent for an exam can I re-sit it?

A Level and GCSE exam dates are not changeable; you cannot sit them at a later date. You will have to re-sit the papers at the next re-sit opportunity. You will not receive a refund for the exams you did not attend and will need to pay for the resit exams.

An exam on my statement of entry is incorrect or I am missing an exam – what do I do?

You must contact the Exams Officer immediately.

I’m entitled to access arrangements but they’re not on my timetable?

You must contact the Exams Officer immediately.

Where will my exam be held?

All exams are held at our Centre at Ark Education Centre, 388, High Road, IG1 1TL.

Can the exam location change?

No.

I have an exam clash – can I revise in the isolation room?

Yes, you will be permitted to revise for your upcoming exam while in isolation, but you will not be permitted to use any electronic devices.

I have an exam clash – will you buy me lunch while I’m in the isolation room?

No, you should bring your own packed lunch and a drink, and you will be permitted to have these over the lunch while you are under supervision.

Where will my personal belongings be stored during the exam?

You will be able to store away any personal belongings away from the exam room and you will not be able to access them until the exam is completed. Personal belongings are stored at your own risk.

I’ve had an unexpected injury before my exam that might affect my performance – what can I do?

You should contact the Exam Officer immediately.

What should I bring to my exam?

You must bring a black pen, pencils, any mathematical instruments and permitted calculators, and any other equipment required for the exam. You are not allowed to bring any form of watch in to the exam room. Highlighters are permitted bring in to the exam room, but you must only write answers in black pen.
Pencil cases must be transparent and water bottles must be transparent with no labels.
If you require medication during your exam, speak to the Exams Office or invigilator beforehand.
If you are unsure whether your calculator is permitted, speak to the Exam Officer well before the exam. If your calculator is not authorised, you will not be allowed to use your calculator and may be given a permitted calculator.

What can’t I bring into my exam?

You cannot bring any electronic devices into the exam room. You cannot bring coats, scarves, or hats into the exam room, without prior arrangement with the Exams Officer. You cannot bring food into the exam room, without prior arrangement with the Exams Officer. You cannot bring dictionaries into the exam room – if you are entitled to a dictionary this will be provided by the Exams Officer.

NO MOBILE PHONES

NO POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGICAL/WEB ENABLED SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Possession of unauthorised items, such as a mobile phone or any watch, is a serious offence and could result in DISQUALIFICATION from your examination and your overall qualification.

Candidates found to have brought prohibited items into the exam room will dealt as per the Centre Exams Policy and are liable for disqualification.

What should I wear on exam day?

There is no set dress code. You are welcome to wear comfortable smart casual clothes on the exam day. You will not be allowed to wear scarfs and outdoor jackets during the exam. If you are wearing a niqab, you will be able to confirm your ID in private to one of the female staff at the centre. Once your ID has been confirmed you can wear back the niqab and will be guided to the examination room.

I am entitled to a coloured overlay – can the Centre provide one?

Centre does not provide coloured overlays for exams – you must provide your own. We cannot give you one if you forget yours.

I am entitled to supervised rest breaks – can I leave the exam room?

No, you must not leave the exam room if you are entitled to supervised rest breaks. Rest breaks are supervised at your exam desk, and you will not have access to your question paper or answer booklet. If you require a toilet break you will be escorted to the designated restroom by an invigilator.

I need a toilet break during an exam – will I get the extra time back?

No, you will not get any extra time for going to the toilet during an exam.

Can I leave the exam before the end time?

No, you must stay for the whole duration of the exam even if you have finished.

I’ve finished my exam but I think I filled in the front of my exam paper wrong – what do I do?

You must check the front of your exam paper to ensure everything has been completed before the end of exam. Candidate number, paper code and where applicable sign your name, the invigilators will not be able to complete any missing information. All answer booklets are checked by staff before being sent off to the awarding organisations for marking, but if you have any concerns please come to the Exams Office.


JCQ Information for candidates documents

Information for candidates – written exams 2023-2024

JCQ Preparing to sit your exams

Information for Candidates – Social Media

Information for candidates – on-screen tests 2023-2024

Information for candidates – non examination assessments 2023-2024

Information for candidates – coursework – 2023-2024


Post Results and Certification

When do I get my results?

A Level and GCSE results are only released by the awarding organisations on results day. A Level results are usually released on the second Thursday of August of the same year and GCSE results are usually released on the third Thursday of August of the same year. On-demand and vocational results are usually available 28 days after the exam.

We will secure e mail you your results on the results day between 8.00am and 8.30am. If you wish to receive a paper copy of your results sheet, you must bring photographic ID to collect the results sheet from the centre from 9.30am to 3.00pm. This could be your driving licence, or passport. Candidates who do not bring photographic ID may not be able to collect their results.

Can my results get posted to my home address?

No. You will need to come in person to collect both results sheet and certificates. We are unable to post your results and we will not be able to give results over the phone.

Can someone else collect my exam results?

Yes. Parents/guardians or friends can collect results on behalf of a candidate by only following the below procedure:

1. The candidate must give written permission that explicitly names the person who will collect their results. This can be done by the candidate emailing info@arkexamcentre.co.uk from their candidate email address (Provided at the time of registration), or by giving the Exams Officer a signed letter.

2. The person collecting results must have photographic ID of themselves.

Can I come in late on results day to collect my results?

The Centre is open from 9.00am to 3.00pm on the results day. You can come during this time.

I’ve lost my results slip - can I get a new one?

Yes, please contact the Exams Officer.

What do I do if I’m not happy with my results?

You can request to get a remark. There is a charge for this. All post-results enquiries carry a fee; the awarding bodies set fees. If grades are amended as a result of an enquiry the exam board fee will not be charged; the examination centre fees will still apply. Please ask at the centre for more details.

When do I get my certificates?

You will receive an email to notify when the certificates arrive in the Exams Office. You will need to come in person or arrange someone to collect your certificate.

I think my certificate is wrong – what do I do?

Contact the Exams Officer immediately.

I’ve lost my certificates – what do I do?

You will have to contact the awarding organisation directly to request and pay for replacement certificates. We can assist you if you require your candidate or registration number.

How long do you keep undelivered certificates for?

We hold certificates for 12 months in the Exams Office before destroying them, in line with the Data Protection Act.

Do you have a copy of my certificates?

No, we do not keep copies of certificates. You will need to contact the awarding organisations directly for replacements.

I have taken my exams at your centre in the past – do you still have information on my enrolments and results?

We only hold Candidate information for seven years, in line with the Data Protection Act. If it is more than seven years ago we will not have any information.

My employer/university requires proof of my results but I haven’t received my certificate yet – what can I do?

We may be able to help you, please contact the Exams Officer.

I have a question that hasn’t been answered here – who can I contact?

Contact the Centre on 020 3441 7272 or write to us in info@arkexamcentre.co.uk.

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