EXAMINATIONS
GCSE Summer 2024 Timetable
Documents
PREPARING TO SIT YOUR EXAMINATIONS
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES ONSCREEN TESTS
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES COURSEWORK ASSESSMENTS
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES NON-EXAM ASSESSMENTS
Links
Click Here to view the Ofqual blog guide for parents about the new grading for GCSEs.
JCQ has recently published updated guidance for 'AI use in assessment': https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AI-Use-in-Assessments_Feb24_v3.pdf
The guidance is designed to help students and teachers to complete non-examination assessments, coursework and other internal assessments successfully.
We recommend sharing this guidance within your centre, the updated guidance includes:
. Real-life candidate malpractice examples involving AI
. Information on how to authenticate private candidate work
. A new section: AI use and marking
. Expanded list of AI tools and detection tools
Additional support materials are also available via the JCQ website: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice/artificial-intelligence/
GCSE Grades
Most GCSEs in England have being reformed and are graded with a new scale from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade. English Literature, English Language and Maths were the first subjects to be graded in this way in August 2017. The subjects with the highest numbers of candidates (e.g. arts, humanities, languages) follow in 2018 and most others in 2019. During this transition, students will receive a mixture of letter and number grades. This is happening as GCSEs are being reformed to make them more challenging, to keep pace with employers’ and universities demands. In the first year each new GCSE subject is introduced, students who would have got a grade C or better will get a grade 4 or better. Grade 9 will be more difficult to achieve than a grade A*. To see how the numbered grades compare to the current A* to G system, Click Here or Google "Ofqual 9 to 1 postcard".
Public Examinations
Public Examination dates are set by the exam boards and examinations take place all over the country at the same time. Morning exams start at 9.15am and afternoon exams start at 1.15pm promptly. They will be held in the school hall or designated room. Students must memorise their exam candidate number and line up for their examination promptly after checking their seat number on the examination seating lists displayed in the lower school dining area. If students are late they may not be allowed to take the exam and if allowed, the exam board can refuse to mark the paper.
Sickness
If a student is ill on the day of a written exam and is so sick that s/he cannot come to school, a parent or guardian must ring the school immediately to inform the Attendance Officer. As evidence of the sickness a medical certificate should be obtained which must be signed by the doctor. The certificate should be sent to the Attendance Office at the earliest opportunity so that the relevant exam board can be notified of the reasons for the absence.
Equipment
Equipment should be in a clear pencil case or clear plastic bag. Students are responsible for their own equipment e.g. if a calculator is brought in it is the student's responsibility to ensure it works and has working batteries. A small supply of equipment is available in school in the event a student does not have all they need for an examination
Examination Clash
If there is an examination clash, exams will be undertaken one after the other with supervised rest breaks in between. The Examinations Officer will be aware of this situation and will contact affected students in advance of their examination.
Valuables
Valuable items should not be brought into school as they cannot be taken into the exam area. The school takes no responsibility for items lost or stolen.
Mobile Phones/Watches
Mobile Phones, Smart Phones, and Smart Watches must not be taken into the examination room or anywhere near the room. If a mobile is found on a student or even if a phone goes off during an examination, the examination paper may be disqualified. Please see Unauthorised Items poster.
Examination Certificates
Students leaving Smithills School in any summer term will be contacted by the following November to inform them that their Examination certificates are available for collection from school (they must be signed for). These certificates are very important and cannot be replaced – when you apply to college, university and for jobs you will need to show your certificates to prove your qualifications.
If you lose or damage your certificates you will need to contact the exam board. They will not send you a replacement but will issue you with an official list of your results and charge a fee for this service.