Ethos College Exams: Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21
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Ethos College Exams:
Candidate Exam Handbook
2020/21
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 1Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 4
2. Purpose of the candidate exam handbook .................................................................. 4
3. Coursework/non-examination assessments ................................................................ 4
4. Contingency Period ..................................................................................................... 4
5. Covid-19 Measures in place for exams ....................................................................... 5
6. Written exams ............................................................................................................. 5
7. Two or more exam papers timetabled at the same time (an exam clash) ................... 5
8. Additional information for off-site / transfer candidates................................................ 5
9. Where you will take your exams .................................................................................. 6
10. What time your exams will start and finish .................................................................. 6
11. Supervision during your exams ................................................................................... 6
12. Exam conditions .......................................................................................................... 6
13. Where you will sit in the exam room ............................................................................ 7
14. What equipment you need to bring to your exams ...................................................... 7
15. What you should not bring into the exam room ........................................................... 7
16. Using calculators ......................................................................................................... 8
17. Food and drink in exam rooms .................................................................................... 8
18. Toilet breaks ................................................................................................................ 8
19. What to do if you arrive late for an exam ..................................................................... 9
20. What to do if you are unwell on the day of an exam .................................................... 9
21. What happens if you have an unauthorised absence from an exam ........................... 9
22. What happens in the event of an emergency in the exam room ................................. 9
23. Candidates with access arrangements........................................................................ 9
24. Alleged, suspected or actual incidents of malpractice ............................................... 10
25. Results ...................................................................................................................... 10
26. Post-results services ................................................................................................. 11
27. Certificates ................................................................................................................ 11
28. Internal appeals procedures ...................................................................................... 12
29. Complaints and appeals procedure (exams) ............................................................. 12
Appendix 1 ........................................................................................................................... 13
JCQ Information for candidates – coursework .................................................................. 13
Appendix 2 ........................................................................................................................... 15
JCQ Information for candidates – non-examination assessments .................................... 15
Appendix 3 ........................................................................................................................... 17
JCQ Information for candidates – written exams .............................................................. 17
Appendix 4 ........................................................................................................................... 18
JCQ Information for candidates – Privacy Notice ............................................................. 18
Appendix 5 ........................................................................................................................... 20
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 2JCQ Information for candidates ........................................................................................ 20 Appendix 6 ........................................................................................................................... 21 JCQ Unauthorised Items poster ....................................................................................... 21 Appendix 7 ........................................................................................................................... 22 JCQ Warning to Candidates poster .................................................................................. 22 Appendix 8 ........................................................................................................................... 23 Ethos College Emergency Evacuation Procedures for exams ......................................... 23 Appendix 9 ........................................................................................................................... 24 Covid-19 Measures .......................................................................................................... 24 Appendix 10 ......................................................................................................................... 27 Exam Board Licence for assessment materials ................................................................ 27 Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 3
1. Introduction
Ethos College is committed to ensuring that candidates are fully briefed on the exam and
assessment processes in place in the centre and are made aware of the required JCQ
awarding body instructions and information for candidates.
2. Purpose of the candidate exam handbook
To complement the candidate briefing session (given by group staff)
To ensure candidates are provided with all relevant information about their exams
and assessments in advance of any exams/assessments being taken
To ensure copies of relevant JCQ “Information for candidates” documents and
posters are provided in advance of any exams/assessments being taken
To answer any questions candidates may have etc.
3. Coursework/non-examination assessments
Some qualifications offered by Ethos College involve elements of coursework or non-
examination assessments. These elements provide candidates with an opportunity to do
some independent research into a topic. The research may involve looking for information
in published sources such as textbooks, encyclopaedias, journals, TV, radio and on the
internet. Using information from published sources (including the internet) as the basis for
an assignment is a good way to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a subject.
Relevant JCQ information for candidates documents are contained in the
appendices to this document
Assessments take place throughout the year – teachers will provide candidates with
relevant dates and deadlines
Work is marked/assessed by the subject teacher and then checked by another
member of staff (who ensures that the mark scheme has been applied correctly)
For all non-examination assessments candidates will be informed of their centre
assessed marks at least two weeks before the submission deadline
If a candidate believes that marking and authentication have not been done correctly
there is a procedure for appealing an internal assessment decision and requesting
a review of the centre’s marking – details are available from the Exams Officer
Coursework etc. is sent to an external moderator who checks that the centre’s
marking has been done correctly. At this point a candidate’s mark may go up or
down. This process is outside the control of Ethos College
4. Contingency Period
The exams for summer 2021 will take place several weeks later than usual to allow
candidates a few more weeks of additional learning time, following the disruption to learning
due to Covid-19. Exams will be held up to early July and candidates are advised to remain
available to sit exams up to and including 23rd July 2021 in case the exam boards have to
rearrange any exams.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 45. Covid-19 Measures in place for exams
Please see Appendix 9 for all measures we have put in place for exams taking place during
the pandemic.
6. Written exams
Written exams take place throughout the year. The following information is available to
candidates:
Entries are made using the candidate’s legal name, not a preferred name
Individual candidate exam timetables are issued at least one month before the first
exam. Candidates are asked to check that all details are correct. A coloured copy of
the timetable will be issued at the same time and candidates are requested to sign
and return this to the Exams Officer. If unsure of any of the details, candidates must
see the Exams Officer immediately
Centre exam timetables will be on display in the corridor outside the Exam Store
Room before and during the exam period. Exam room information is included on the
timetable. This may be subject to change – candidates must check regularly
Seating plans for each room are given to the invigilator before the start of the exam.
The invigilator will direct candidates to their desk
The JCQ information for candidates documents – see appendices
Exam room posters - Warning to candidates, No unauthorised items - see
appendices
7. Two or more exam papers timetabled at the same time (an exam
clash)
The Exams Officer will identify any clashes of exams and re-arrange the start times before
candidate exam timetables are issued.
Where possible the exams will take place on the same day. In order to maintain security,
candidates who are affected by this will be kept under supervision by centre staff for the
applicable time period. Candidates will not be allowed to use mobile phones or any device
which has access to the internet.
Any candidates affected by timetable clashes will receive additional information from the
Exams Officer re rest breaks and revision between exams. Different regulations apply
depending on the timings and duration of such exams.
8. Additional information for off-site / transfer candidates
Off-site/transfer candidates will be asked to bring a form of photographic ID for the purposes
of identification. They will be asked to show this to the Exams Officer who will also store
any personal belongings (including phones and watches) for them during the exam. The
Exams Officer will escort the candidate to the exam room and introduce them to the
invigilator.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 59. Where you will take your exams
Exams are held in any of the centre’s available rooms. The location of each exam is
identified on the Centre Exam Timetable displayed in the corridor outside the Exam Store
Room.
10. What time your exams will start and finish
Written exams take place at the following times:
Morning – 9.30 am. Candidates must wait quietly outside the exam room by 9.20
am. The invigilator will direct everyone to their seat and read out the instructions
before starting the exam
Afternoon – 1.00 pm. Candidates must be outside the exam room by 12.55 pm
The duration of each exam paper is clearly indicated on the paper itself and the exam
start/end times will also be displayed on the notice board in each exam room
Candidates must stay under supervision until 10.00 am for a morning exam or 2.30
pm for an afternoon exam.
If a candidate chooses to leave the exam early they will be supervised by a member
of staff until 10.00 am for a morning exam or 2.30 pm for an afternoon exam
Candidates who choose to end the exam early will not be allowed back in to the
exam room
11. Supervision during your exams
Candidates will be supervised at all times by at least one invigilator in the room.
Exams are supervised by centre staff who have been fully trained
The rules state that subject teaching staff may not be present in the exam room
before or during an exam in their subject
Invigilators must follow strict rules and regulations when conducting exams as
directed by JCQ awarding bodies etc. They may not help candidates in any way
12. Exam conditions
Candidates are asked to make their way to the exam room in a quiet manner, to be on time
and wait quietly outside until the invigilator asks them to enter.
Candidates may not wear coats, hats or have hoods up during exams
Candidates may not wear a watch during exams. Watches must be handed to group
staff for secure storage before going to the exam room
Candidates are under exam conditions from the moment they enter the exam room
until they are given permission to leave by the invigilator. This means that candidates
must be silent for the duration of the exam
If a candidate wishes to speak to the invigilator they must raise their hand and wait
for the member of staff to come to them
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 6 Candidates must listen to and follow the instructions of the invigilator at all times in
the exam room
Candidates must not communicate with other candidates. They must face the front
of the room at all times
The following information is displayed in the exam room: centre number, date of
exam, start and finish times, exam title, and evacuation procedures. A clock is also
provided
The invigilator will instruct candidates to complete the front of their answer books
(legal first name, surname, centre number, candidate number, paper details, and
signature if required). Candidates may not complete these details until told to do so
The invigilator will inform candidates about the use of additional answer sheets /
answer books etc.
13. Where you will sit in the exam room
The invigilator will have the seating plan for the room and will direct candidates to their
seats.
14. What equipment you need to bring to your exams
Ethos College provides all necessary equipment for all exams and ensures that it complies
with all regulations.
If candidates wish to provide their own equipment it should be in a clear plastic pencil case.
Please note:
Pens – must be black permanent ink (no gel pens or erasable ink)
Rulers – must be clear plastic with cm/mm markings only (no inches)
Calculators - see paragraph 15
15. What you should not bring into the exam room
Candidates may not bring any of the following in to the exam room:
revision notes, study guides, dictionaries etc.
own blank paper for rough work
any prohibited annotations
technological/web enabled sources of information such as iPods, mobile phones,
MP3/4 players, and smartwatches
any type of wrist watch
any items that are not specified on the exam paper instructions/stationery list
calculators for exam papers where these are not allowed
If a candidate brings any unauthorised materials in to the exam room then all such materials
must be handed to the invigilator before the exam starts.
If a candidate has access to any unauthorised items during the exam this is considered as
malpractice. This will be reported to the awarding body. Depending on the severity of the
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 7offence, penalties range from a warning, to loss of marks or disqualification. In some cases,
candidates can be barred from entering exams for a set period of time.
16. Using calculators
Candidates must be aware of JCQ awarding body instructions regarding the use of
calculators in exams.
Candidates may use a calculator in an examination unless prohibited by the awarding body’s specification.
Where the use of a calculator is allowed, candidates are responsible for making sure that their calculators
meet the awarding bodies’ regulations.
Calculators must be: Calculators must not:
- of a size suitable for use on the - be designed or adapted to offer any of
desk; these facilities: -
- either battery or solar powered; - language translators;
- free of lids, cases and covers - symbolic algebra manipulation;
which have printed instructions or - symbolic differentiation or integration;
formulas. - communication with other machines or
the internet;
The candidate is responsible for
the following: - be borrowed from another candidate
- the calculator’s power supply; during an examination for any reason;
- the calculator’s working - have retrievable information stored in
condition; them - this includes:
- clearing anything stored in the
calculator. - databanks;
- dictionaries;
- mathematical formulas;
- text.
[Taken from JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations 2019-20, Section 10.3]
17. Food and drink in exam rooms
Ethos College will provide each candidate with a refillable plastic bottle at the start of the
exams. It is the candidate’s responsibility to refill their bottle with water and bring it
with them to every exam. The Exams Officer will write the candidate’s name on the base
of the bottle.
Ethos College also provides sweets for longer exams (of at least 1¾ hours’ duration).
Sweets are provided in plastic cups with all other packaging removed.
Candidates may not bring any other food or drink (including juice) to the exam room.
18. Toilet breaks
Candidates are reminded to go to the toilet before going to the exam room. Toilet breaks
are allowed but the time taken will not be added on at the end of the exam. Candidates will
only be allowed to leave the room one at a time and will be accompanied by a member of
staff.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 819. What to do if you arrive late for an exam
Candidates who arrive late (within the first thirty minutes following the start of an exam) will
be allowed to take the exam and will be allowed the full time.
If possible, a separate room will be provided in order to minimise disruption to other
candidates who have already started the exam. This is at the Centre’s discretion.
Candidates who arrive after 10.00 am for a morning exam or after 2.30 pm for an afternoon
exam will be considered very late. The Exams Officer must report the arrival time and
reason for late arrival to the awarding body. The Exams Officer will warn the candidate that
the awarding body may not accept their work (if, for example, it is felt that security may
have been breached).
20. What to do if you are unwell on the day of an exam
Candidates who are unable to attend due to an acceptable reason must phone the centre
as early as possible. Written evidence (for example, a medical note) will be requested. For
candidates who are absent for acceptable reasons the Special Consideration guidance will
be followed.
In cases where no message has been received re absence group staff will inform the
Exams Officer and phone the candidate to establish the reason.
Candidates who become unwell during the exam will be allowed a supervised rest break.
This time will be added to the end of the exam if the candidate is able to continue. If a
candidate is unable to continue, the exam will end and the exam script will be submitted to
the awarding body. The Special Consideration guidance will be followed.
21. What happens if you have an unauthorised absence from an
exam
If a candidate fails to arrive at the centre by the end of the exam they will be marked as
absent and no marks will be awarded for the paper. Candidates who fail to attend for all
papers (in a subject) may be withdrawn from the exam.
22. What happens in the event of an emergency in the exam room
The centre’s emergency evacuation procedure is displayed in each exam room – see
appendices.
The Exams Officer will submit a Request for Special Consideration to the awarding body in
the event of disruption to the exam.
23. Candidates with access arrangements
Access arrangements are agreed before an assessment or examination. They allow
candidates with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 9assessment/exam and show what they know and can do without changing the demands of
the assessment/exam.
Group staff and the SENDCO assess candidates and gather evidence to
demonstrate the normal way of working. If required, the SENDCO then applies for
the relevant access arrangements
The SENDCO informs the candidates about approved arrangements that will be put
in place for exams and discusses any instances when these arrangements may not
apply
Where a candidate will be seated for a particular exam depends on the type of
access arrangement that is in place. If necessary a separate room will be provided
Access arrangements will only be granted in exams if they reflect the “normal way
of working” in class and have also been used during mock exams. Ethos College
must withdraw any access arrangements for exams if this is not the case
The invigilator will be aware of any candidates who are entitled to Supervised Rest
Breaks. If a candidate wishes to request a break they must hold up their hand and
the invigilator will come to them. Breaks may be taken at the desk (with no access
to the exam paper during that time) or outside the room, in which case the candidate
will be issued with a rest break pass and supervised by another member of staff.
The time taken will be allowed at the end of the exam. Candidates may not
communicate with staff or other candidates about the exam during a rest break
24. Alleged, suspected or actual incidents of malpractice
Ethos College must report any incidents of malpractice by candidates.
Examples of candidate malpractice include (for example):
Allowing work to be copied, i.e. posting work on social networking sites
Copying from another candidate
Disruptive behaviour in the exam room, including the use of offensive language
Allowing others to assist (or assisting others) in the production of coursework/non-
examination assessments
Being in possession of confidential materials before an exam
Plagiarism (copying from or reproduction of published sources)
This list is not exhaustive – full information is given in the JCQ publication “Suspected
Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments”.
Depending on the severity of the offence, penalties range from a warning, to loss of marks
or disqualification. In some cases candidates can be barred from entering exams for a set
period of time. More information can be found in the
“Indicative sanctions against candidates” table [Appendix 6 in the JCQ publication Suspected
Malpractice : Policies and Procedures 2020- 2021]
25. Results
For exams that take place between November and March candidates will be issued with
their provisional statements of results as soon as they are available for release.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 10Results day for the main summer exams is Friday 27th August 2021. A letter with more
details about collecting results will be issued during the summer term.
The letter will contain details of the times to collect results, how to request results by
post, and how to arrange for someone else to collect results if the candidate is
unavailable
At this stage the results are provisional – they only become final once the all Reviews
of Results have been processed
Uncollected results will be posted out first class on results day. However, if a
candidate is required to provide evidence of results for a college place we
strongly recommend collecting results on the day or making arrangements for
a nominated person to collect them
Senior members of centre staff will be available on results day to discuss results with
candidates and offer advice re post-results services
26. Post-results services
If the centre, a candidate or parent/carer/guardian has a concern and believes a result may
not be accurate, a review of the result (ROR) may be requested. Candidates are advised
that marks may go down and this is outside the control of Ethos College. The following
services are available:
• Service 1 – clerical re-check
• Service 2 – review of marking
• Service 3 – review of moderation (not available to individual candidates)
• Access to Scripts – copies of marked papers to support reviews of marking
and for teaching purposes
Requests for post-results services must be made through the centre
Senior Leaders will discuss the options with candidates on results day
The Exams Officer must obtain consent from each candidate. Consent forms will be
available to complete on results day. The Exams Officer will request consent for
reviews via a candidate’s school email address (for those candidates who do not
collect their results in person)
More detailed information is contained in the document “Post results services –
procedures and appeals”, which is available from the Exams Officer
27. Certificates
Certificates from all exams taken will be collected, checked, recorded and stored by the
Exams Officer.
Between November and December certificates will be issued to candidates who are
no longer attending the centre. Certificates for candidates who are continuing at the
centre will be stored until certificates for all their exams are available
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 11 A letter is issued to candidates who have left the centre, requesting them to collect
and sign for their certificates (within a three week period) or to confirm the address
to which certificates should be posted (using a signed for service)
The letter also includes details of how to arrange for certificates to be collected on a
candidate’s behalf if unable to attend the centre
Candidates are requested to immediately check their certificates carefully and inform
the Exams Officer of any errors
Candidates are advised to retain their certificates as they will be required for
college/job applications
Candidates are advised that it is their responsibility to contact the awarding bodies
for replacement certificates (should the candidate lose or damage their originals).
Ethos College cannot do this on a candidate’s behalf and the candidate will be
responsible for any costs incurred
Unclaimed certificates will be confidentially destroyed after a period of 12 months
from the final date specified for collection of certificates. Candidates will then have
to contact the awarding bodies for replacements (at their own cost)
28. Internal appeals procedures
There are two types of internal appeal available to candidates:
Internal appeals procedures for centre assessed marks (if a candidate believes that
the procedure for marking and checking internally assessed work has been applied
incorrectly)
Internal appeals procedures for post-results services (if a candidate is unhappy with
the centre’s decision not to support a review of results)
Candidates may request a copy of the procedures and the appeals form from the
Exams Officer
29. Complaints and appeals procedure (exams)
Our complaints and appeals procedure (exams) sets out grounds for complaint under the
following headings:
Teaching and learning
Access arrangements
Entries
Conducting examinations
Results and post-results
Formal complaints should be submitted on the complaints and appeals form, which is
available from the Exams Officer (together with the complaints and appeals procedure).
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 12Appendix 1
JCQ Information for candidates – coursework
This notice has been produced on behalf of:
AQA, City & Guilds, CCEA, OCR, Pearson and WJEC
Information for candidates – coursework assessments
This document tells you about some things that you must and must not do when you are completing
coursework.
When you submit any coursework for marking, you will be asked to sign an authentication statement
confirming that you have read and followed these regulations.
If there is anything that you do not understand, you must ask your teacher.
Coursework provides you with an opportunity to do some independent research into a topic. The research you
do will involve looking for information in published sources such as textbooks, encyclopaedias, journals, TV,
radio and on the internet.
Using information from published sources (including the internet) as the basis for your coursework is a good
way to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a subject. You must take care how you use this
material though - you cannot copy it and claim it as your own work.
The regulations state that:
● “the work which you submit for assessment must be your own”;
● “you must not copy from someone else or allow another candidate to copy from you”.
If you use the same wording as a published source, you must place quotation marks around the passage and
state where it came from. This is called “referencing”. You must make sure that you give detailed references for
everything in your work which is not in your own words. A reference from a printed book or journal should show
the name of the author, the year of publication and the page number, for example: (Morrison, 2000, pg.29).
For material taken from the internet, your reference should show the date when the material was downloaded
and must show the precise web page, not the search engine used to locate it. This can be copied from the
address line. For example:
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/16/sosteacher/history/49766.shtml), downloaded 5 February 2021.
You may be required to produce a bibliography at the end of your work. This must list the full details of
publications you have used in your research, even where these are not directly referred to, for example: Curran,
J. Mass Media and Society (Hodder Arnold, 2005).
If you copy the words or ideas of others and do not show your sources in references and a bibliography,
this will be considered as cheating.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 13Preparing your coursework – good practice
If you receive help and guidance from someone other than your teacher, you must tell your teacher who will
then record the nature of the assistance given to you.
Your parent/carer may provide you with access to resource materials and discuss your coursework with you.
However, they must not give you direct advice on what should and should not be included.
If you worked as part of a group on an assignment, you must each write up your own account of the assignment.
Even if the data you have is the same, the description of how that data was obtained and the conclusions you
draw from it should be in your own words.
You must meet the deadlines that your teacher gives you. Remember - your teachers are there to guide you.
Although they cannot give you direct assistance, they can help you to sort out any problems before it is too late.
Take care of your work and keep it safe. Don’t leave it lying around where your classmates can find it. You must
always keep your coursework secure and confidential whilst you are preparing it; do not share it with your
classmates. If it is stored on the computer network, keep your password secure. Collect all copies from the
printer and destroy those you do not need.
Don’t be tempted to use pre-prepared on-line solutions — this is cheating. Electronic tools used by awarding
bodies can detect this sort of copying.
You must not write inappropriate, offensive or obscene material.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves taking someone else’s words, thoughts or ideas and trying to pass them off as your own. It
is a form of cheating which is taken very seriously.
Don’t think you won’t be caught; there are many ways to detect plagiarism.
• Markers can spot changes in the style of writing and use of language.
• Markers are highly experienced subject specialists who are very familiar with work on the topic
concerned — they may have read the source you are using (or even marked the essay you have
copied from!).
• Internet search engines and specialised computer software can be used to match phrases or pieces
of text with original sources and to detect changes in the grammar and style of writing or punctuation.
Penalties for breaking the regulations
If your work is submitted and it is discovered that you have broken the regulations, one of the following penalties
will be applied:
• the piece of work will be awarded zero marks;
• you will be disqualified from that unit for that examination series;
• you will be disqualified from the whole subject for that examination series;
• you will be disqualified from all subjects and barred from entering again for a period of time.
The awarding body will decide which penalty is appropriate.
REMEMBER – IT’S YOUR QUALIFICATION SO IT NEEDS TO BE YOUR OWN WORK
©JCQ 2020 – Effective from 1 September 2020
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 14Appendix 2
JCQ Information for candidates – non-examination assessments
You must read this information if you are undertaking any qualifications that contain elements
of non-examination assessment.
This notice has been produced on behalf of:
AQA, OCR, Pearson and WJEC
Information for candidates – non-examination assessments
This document tells you about some things that you must and must not do when you are completing
your work.
When you submit your work for marking, the awarding body will normally require you to sign an
authentication statement confirming that you have read and followed the regulations.
If there is anything that you do not understand, you must ask your teacher.
Preparing your work – good practice
If you receive help and guidance from someone other than your teacher, you must tell your teacher who will
then record the nature of the assistance given to you.
If you worked as part of a group on an assignment, for example undertaking field research, you must each write
up your own account of the assignment. Even if the data you have is the same, you must describe in your own
words how that data was obtained and you must independently draw your own conclusions from the data.
You must meet the deadlines that your teacher gives you. Remember - your teachers are there to guide you.
Although they cannot give you direct assistance, they can help you to sort out any problems before it is too late.
Take care of your work and keep it safe. Do not leave it lying around where your classmates can find it. You
must always keep your work secure and confidential whilst you are preparing it; do not share it with your
classmates. If it is stored on the computer network, keep your password secure. Collect all copies from the
printer and destroy those you do not need.
Do not be tempted to use pre-prepared on-line solutions — this is cheating. Electronic tools used by awarding
bodies can detect this sort of copying.
You must not write inappropriate, offensive or obscene material.
Research and using references
In some subjects you will have an opportunity to do some independent research into a topic. The research you
do may involve looking for information in published sources such as textbooks, encyclopaedias, journals, TV,
radio and on the internet.
Using information from published sources (including the internet) as the basis for your assignment is a good
way to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a subject. You must take care how you use this
material though - you cannot copy it and claim it as your own work.
The regulations state that:
● “the work which you submit for assessment must be your own”;
● “you must not copy from someone else or allow another candidate to copy from you”.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 15When producing a piece of work, if you use the same wording as a published source you must place quotation
marks around the passage and state where it came from. This is called “referencing”. You must make sure that
you give detailed references for everything in your work which is not in your own words. A reference from a
printed book or journal should show the name of the author, the year of publication and the page number, for
example: Morrison, 2000, pg.29.
For material taken from the internet, your reference should show the date when the material was downloaded
and must show the precise web page, not the search engine used to locate it. This can be copied from the
address line. For example: http://www.geocases2.co.uk/rural1.htm downloaded 5 February 2021.
You may be required to include a bibliography at the end of your piece of written work. Your teacher will tell you
whether a bibliography is necessary. Where required, your bibliography must list the full details of publications
you have used in your research, even where these are not directly referred to, for example: Curran, J. Mass
Media and Society (Hodder Arnold, 2005).
If you copy the words or ideas of others and do not show your sources in references and a bibliography,
this will be considered as cheating.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves taking someone else’s words, thoughts or ideas and trying to pass them off as your own. It
is a form of cheating which is taken very seriously.
Do not think you will not be caught; there are many ways to detect plagiarism.
• Markers can spot changes in the style of writing and use of language.
• Markers are highly experienced subject specialists who are very familiar with work on the topic
concerned — they may have read or seen the source you are using, or even marked the work you
have copied from!
• Internet search engines and specialised computer software can be used to match phrases or pieces
of text with original sources and to detect changes in the grammar and style of writing or punctuation.
Penalties for breaking the regulations
If your work is submitted and it is discovered that you have broken the regulations, one of the following penalties
will be applied:
• the piece of work will be awarded zero marks;
• you will be disqualified from that component for the examination series in question;
• you will be disqualified from the whole subject for that examination series;
• you will be disqualified from all subjects and barred from entering again for a period of time.
The awarding body will decide which penalty is appropriate.
REMEMBER – IT’S YOUR QUALIFICATION SO IT NEEDS TO BE YOUR OWN WORK
©JCQ 2020 – Effective from 1 September 2020
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 16Appendix 3
JCQ Information for candidates – written exams
You must read this information before you undertake any externally assessed written exams.
This information has been amended (points A5, A7, B2, B4 and D4) to reflect Ethos College’s
policies.
Information for candidates
For written examinations – effective from 1 September 2020
This document has been written to help you. Read it carefully and follow the instructions.
If there is anything you do not understand, especially which calculator you may use, ask your teacher.
A Regulations – Make sure you understand the rules
1 Be on time for all your exams. If you are late, your work might not be accepted.
2 Do not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice during the exam.
3 If you try to cheat, or break the rules in any way, you could be disqualified from all your subjects.
4 You must not take into the exam room:
• notes;
• potential technological/web enabled sources of information such as an iPod, a mobile phone, a MP3/4 player, a smartwatch
or a wrist watch which has a data storage device.
Any pencil cases taken into the exam room must be see-through.
Remember: possession of unauthorised material is breaking the rules, even if you do not intend to use it, and you will be
subject to penalty and possible disqualification.
5 Wrist watches must be handed to group staff to put in the safe before you go to your exam room. If you have not handed it in, the invigilator will
ask you to remove it and give it to them for safekeeping until the end of the exam. Failure to hand in your watch will be reported as malpractice.
6 Do not use correcting pens, fluid or tape, erasable pens, highlighters or gel pens in your answers.
7 Do not talk to or try to communicate with, or disturb other candidates once you have entered the exam room. Always face the front.
8 You must not write inappropriate, obscene or offensive material.
9 If you leave the exam room unaccompanied by an invigilator before the exam has finished, you will not be allowed to return.
10 Do not borrow anything from another candidate during the exam.
B Information – Make sure you attend your exams and bring what you need
1 Know the dates and times of all your exams. Arrive at least ten minutes before the start of each exam.
2 If you arrive late for an exam, report to the Exams Officer.
3 If you arrive more than one hour after the published starting time for the exam, you may not be allowed to take it.
4 Ethos College provides all equipment needed for the exams. If you bring your own it must comply with exam board regulations and be in a clear
plastic pencil case.
5 You must write clearly and in black ink. Coloured pencils or inks may only be used for diagrams, maps, charts, etc. unless the instructions printed
on the front of the question paper state otherwise.
C Calculators, dictionaries and computer spell-checkers
1 You may use a calculator unless you are told otherwise.
2 If you use a calculator:
• make sure it works properly; check that the batteries are working properly;
• clear anything stored in it;
• remove any parts such as cases, lids or covers which have printed instructions or formulae;
• do not bring into the exam room any operating instructions or prepared programs.
3 Do not use a dictionary or computer spell checker unless you are told otherwise.
D Instructions during the exam
1 Always listen to the invigilator. Always follow their instructions.
2 Tell the invigilator at once if:
• you think you have not been given the right question paper or all of the materials listed on the front of the paper;
• the question paper is incomplete or badly printed.
3 Read carefully and follow the instructions printed on the question paper and/or on the answer booklet.
4 When the invigilator tells you, fill in all the details required on the front of the question paper and/or the answer booklet before you start
the exam. Make sure you fill these details in on any additional answer sheets that you use.
5 Remember to write your answers within the designated sections of the answer booklet.
6 Do your rough work on the proper exam stationery. Cross it through and hand it in with your answers. Make sure you
add your candidate details to any additional answer sheets that you use for rough work.
E Advice and assistance
1 If on the day of the exam you feel that your work may be affected by ill health or any other reason, tell the invigilator.
2 Put up your hand during the exam if:
• you have a problem and are in doubt about what you should do;
• you do not feel well;
• you need more paper.
3 You must not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions.
F At the end of the exam
1 If you have used more than one answer booklet and/or any supplementary answer sheets, place them in the correct order. Place any loose
additional answer sheets inside your answer booklet. Make sure you add your candidate details to any additional answer sheets that you use.
2 Do not leave the exam room until told to do so by the invigilator.
3 Do not take from the exam room any stationery. This includes the question paper, answer booklets used or unused, rough work or any other
materials provided for the exam.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 17Appendix 4
JCQ Information for candidates – Privacy Notice
Information About You and How We Use It
You have entered general or vocational qualifications such as GCSE, functional skills qualifications etc with
one or more of the awarding bodies listed below. In order to be able to provide examinations and
assessments, the awarding body needs to collect and use information about you. This notice provides you
with a high level summary of the information the awarding body is required by law to give you about of what
happens to that information. For more detail see each awarding body’s full Privacy Notice:
AQA https://www.aqa.org.uk/about-us/privacy-notice
CCEA http://ccea.org.uk/legal/privacy_policy
City & Guilds https://www.cityandguilds.com/help/help-for-learners/learner-policy
NCFE https://www.ncfe.org.uk/legal-information
OCR https://www.ocr.org.uk/about/our-policies/website-policies/privacy-policy/
Pearson https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/about-us/qualification-brands/gdpr.html
WJEC https://www.wjec.co.uk/home/privacy-policy/
Who we are and how to contact us
Each awarding body is a separate organisation. Your school or examination centre will be able to
confirm to you which awarding body is delivering each qualification you are undertaking and you will
receive a statement confirming what qualifications you have been entered for and which awarding
body. You will find links to each awarding body’s website and information on how to contact them
here: www.jcq.org.uk/contact-us/contact-details-for-jcq-and-members.
Information about you and from where it is obtained
Each awarding body whose qualifications you enter will need to use a variety of information about
you. This includes obvious identification details such as your name, address, date of birth and your
school or examination centre. It also includes information about your gender, race and health, where
appropriate. This information is provided by you or your parents/guardians and/or by your school or
examination centre.
Each awarding body will create certain information about you such as a candidate number,
examination results and certificates.
You will find further information about this in the awarding bodies’ full Privacy Notice (see links
above) or by contacting the awarding body (see above).
What happens to the information about you
The awarding bodies use the information about you to deliver the examinations and assessments
which you have entered. This includes making a variety of arrangements for you to sit the
examinations or assessments, marking, providing you and your school or centre with results and
certificates. The awarding bodies also use some of the information about you for equality monitoring
and other statistical analysis.
The awarding bodies may share information about your results with official bodies such as the
Department for Education and the examinations regulators (e.g. Ofqual in England) and also
relevant local authorities and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). An
awarding body may also use information about you to investigate cheating and other examination
malpractice and will share information about malpractice with other awarding bodies.
The awarding bodies take the security of the information about you that they hold seriously.
You will find further, technical information about what to the awarding bodies do with information
about you, why and the legal basis in the awarding bodies’ full Privacy Notice, which can be
accessed here (see links above) or by contacting the awarding body (see above).
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 18Your rights
The law gives you a number of rights in relation to the information about you that the awarding
bodies holds. Those rights are:
• Access – you are entitled to ask each awarding body about the information it holds about you.
• Rectification – you are entitled to ask each awarding body to correct any errors in the
information that it holds about you.
• Erasure – in certain circumstances you are entitled to ask each awarding body to erase the
information about you that it holds.
• Object to or restrict processing – in certain circumstances you are entitled to ask each awarding
body to stop using information about you in certain ways.
• Complain – you are entitled to complain to the Information Commissioner (the body regulating
the use of personal information) about what each awarding body does with information about
you.
You will find further information about your rights in relation to information about you in the awarding
bodies’ full Privacy Notice, which can be accessed here (see links on page one) or by contacting the
awarding body (see above).
How long the information about you is held
Each awarding body retains information about you only for as long as it is needed. Some of the
information is needed only during the period in which you are undertaking the examination or
assessment and is securely destroyed a short while afterwards. Other information about you, such
as your name, gender, address, qualification and subjects entered and the results, are held
indefinitely and for at least 40 years.
Each awarding body has its own retention policy that sets out what information it retains, how it is
retained and for how long. You can find out more about retention policies by contacting each
awarding body (see above).
How to find out more about the information about you that the awarding bodies use
To find out more about the information about you that the awarding bodies collect and use, including
what happens to that information why, you can review the awarding bodies’ full Privacy Notice,
which can be accessed here (see links on page one) or contact the awarding body. You will find
links to each awarding body’s website and information on how to contact them here:
www.jcq.org.uk/contact-us/contact-details-for-jcq-and-members.
Please note
It is important to note that this notice concerns only how the awarding bodies use information about
you (called your “personal data”). Complaints about how an awarding body handles your personal
data can be made to the Information Commissioner (www.ico.org.uk). Information about the
examinations and assessment themselves, including the rules about assessments, can be found on
the JCQ Exams Office pages (www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office). The awarding bodies are regulated by
Ofqual (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual) in England; Qualifications Wales
(www.qualificationswales.org) in Wales, and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and
Assessment (http://ccea.org.uk/regulation) in Northern Ireland).
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 19Appendix 5
JCQ Information for candidates
Using social media and examinations/assessments
This document has been written to help you stay within examination regulations. Please read it
carefully.
We all like to share our experiences when taking examinations. However, it is important to consider
what you say and to think about what information is being shared.
Sharing ideas with others online could be helpful when you’re studying or revising. However, there
are limits to the amount of information you can share and you need to be careful not to break the
rules. We’d like to ask you to act responsibly when discussing online. If you’re in doubt about what
you can and can’t discuss online regarding your exams, it’s always best to check with your teacher.
If you receive what is or what looks to be assessment related information through social media, or
any other means, you must tell your teacher or another member of staff. You must show them what
you have received. They will then report the matter to the awarding body and it will be investigated.
Where candidates breach the rules for examinations, coursework or non-examination assessments,
awarding bodies have an obligation to investigate and may apply penalties.
You need to know that the following would be malpractice:
• copying or allowing work to be copied – e.g. posting written work on social networking
sites prior to an examination/assessment;
• collusion: allowing others to help produce your work or helping others with theirs;
• asking others about what questions your exam will include (even if no one tells you);
• having or sharing details about exam questions before the exam – whether you think
these are real or fake; or
• not telling exam boards or your school/college about exam information being shared.
Penalties that awarding bodies apply include:
• a written warning;
• the loss of marks for a section, component or unit;
• disqualification from a unit, all units or qualifications; or
• a ban from taking assessments or exams for a set period of time.
Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the JCQ rules:
http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/information-for-candidates-documents
JCQ 2020 – Effective from 1 April 2020
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 20Appendix 6
JCQ Unauthorised Items poster
AQA City & Guilds CCEA OCR Pearson WJEC
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 21Appendix 7
JCQ Warning to Candidates poster
This poster will be displayed outside each exam room. You must note all the warnings.
AQA City & Guilds CCEA OCR Pearson WJEC
Warning to Candidates
1. You must be on time for all your examinations.
2. Possession of a mobile phone or other unauthorised material is not
allowed - even if you do not intend to use it. You will be subject to
penalty and possible disqualification from the exam/qualification.
2. You must not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice in any
part of the examination.
3. You must not talk to, attempt to communicate with or disturb other
candidates once you have entered the examination room.
4. You must follow the instructions of the invigilator.
5. You must not sit an examination in the name of another candidate.
6. You must not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice in any
part of the examination.
7. If you are confused about anything, only speak to an invigilator.
The “Warning to Candidates” must be displayed in a prominent place outside each examination room.
This may be a hard copy A3 paper version or an image of the poster projected onto a wall or screen
for all candidates to see.
©JCQ 2020 - Effective from 1 September 2020
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 22Appendix 8
Ethos College Emergency Evacuation Procedures for exams
This poster will be displayed in each exam room.
The invigilator must take the following action in an emergency such as fire alarm or bomb
alert (as detailed in the current JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations, section 25,
Emergencies)
Stop the candidates from writing
Candidates must be advised to close their answer booklet.
Advise candidates to leave all question papers and scripts in the examination room
Collect the seating plan (on which attendance is marked) in order to ensure all candidates are
present
Evacuate the examination room in line with the instructions given by the Fire Marshall
Candidates should leave the room in silence
Ensure that the candidates are supervised as closely as possible while they are out of the
examination room to make sure there is no discussion about the examination
Make a note of the time of the interruption and how long it lasted.
Return to the examination room first (lead the candidates in to the exam room)
Allow the candidates the full working time set for the examination.
If there are only a few candidates, the possibility of taking the candidates (with question papers
and scripts) to another place to finish the examination will be considered
Make a full report of the incident, start and end times, and of the action taken on the Incident
Log.
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 23Appendix 9
Covid-19 Measures
This policy details the measures that Ethos College has in place for conducting examinations
during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Candidates and staff will be made aware of any updates to centre risk assessments and
policies, which will be issued following any changes to government guidance.
This policy will be updated following any changes to government guidance, centre policies
and centre risk assessments.
Ethos College students and staff all form part of one bubble. Examinations are invigilated by
centre staff.
Hand sanitiser / wipes / tissues / ventilation
Hand sanitiser, wipes and tissues are available in all rooms at Ethos College and
candidates are required to make use of them when entering the exam room. Tissues
and wipes must be disposed of in the appropriate bins
Rooms will be adequately ventilated via windows with catches
Face coverings / masks
Candidates and staff must wear masks when they are moving in communal spaces or
waiting in the corridor before the start of an examination
Candidates must remove their masks and place them in a clear plastic bag under the
desk at the start of the examination
Invigilators may choose to wear clear visors
If candidates leave the room for a toilet break/supervised rest break they must wear
their mask whilst out of the room, and remove it again when seated back at their exam
desk. They must use hand sanitiser before re-starting the examination
Invigilators may ask to be shown masks to make sure there are no notes written on
any part of them
Exam equipment
Candidates will be provided with individual named pencil cases and any other
equipment required for their exams. This equipment will be collected after every exam
and stored by the Exams Officer
Candidates will be provided with a plastic water bottle before their first exam. It is their
responsibility to refill it and bring it to each exam
Exam desks will be spaced at the required 1.25m distance
Candidate Exam Handbook 2020/21 Page | 24You can also read
