Centre Start Time: 9.30am / 1.00pm

Any candidate arriving after the exam instructions have begun will be considered as late and will not be permitted to enter the exam room until assessed by Exam staff. Entry will only be permitted once the candidate has been advised of the full Exam Instructions including, emergency procedures, warnings to candidates, and general information.

Candidates arriving after the centre start time, but before 1.30 pm for afternoon exams:

Candidates will be allowed to sit the exam with the full time allowance after they have been advised of the full Exam Instructions including, emergency procedures, warnings to candidates, and general information.

Candidates arriving after 9.30am for morning exams or 1:00 pm for afternoon exams:

Candidates will usually be allowed to sit the exam after the permitted start time (30 minutes after the published start time) after giving detailed information regarding reason for lateness and only after receiving the required instructions, cases will be considered on an individual basis and with consideration of other candidates taking the same examination.

Candidates arriving after the restricted time (usually 10am for morning exams or 2.00pm for afternoon exams):

Candidates may not be allowed to sit the exam after the restricted time, however cases will be considered on an individual basis and with consideration of other candidates taking the same examination, other exams due to be taken in the afternoon session, rooms and staffing availability. If the candidate is allowed to sit the exam, they must provide a full written report (within 2 hours of completion of the exam) which includes:

* Reason for Late arrival;

* Full chronology of actions / contact with other persons / access to electronic storage or communication equipment from the published start time until the time of arrival;

* Details of their journey to the centre (mode of transport / time of departure and arrival / route taken);

* Any additional witness statements to corroborate the details of the statement (ie accompanying party statement).

The candidate will be advised that a full report will be made to the awarding body, and that their paper may not be marked. This is solely at the discretion of the Awarding Body.

Candidate Absence

• If candidates are so unwell that they cannot come in to the centre, they must immediately contact the centre – if the candidate is a minor then a parent / guardian must phone or email the centrel immediately and leave a message for the Exams Officer.  A special consideration application will be made, in the case of absence, IF medical evidence (which may also be a self-certification form) confirming the nature and severity of the illness is provided. The exam officer will advise what this evidence should be within 24 hours of a report being made of the absence.

• Absence for any reason other than illness  – a candidate or in the case of a minor a parent / guardian must email the centre to request permission for absence in advance of the examinations series starting.  A special consideration application may be made IF the absence is for a permitted reason and acceptable evidence is provided – for example, this may be confirmation from a sporting governing body that the candidate is representing their country in a recognised international event.  The exam officer will advise whether the request is permitted under the regulations, and what is acceptable evidence within 72 hours of a request being made for absence.  The deadline for an approved absence request is 6 weeks prior to the start of the examination cycle.

• Covid illness is to be treated the same as any other illness with regard to evidence requirements, and candidate/parent/guardian will be asked to sign a declaration where a candidate has chosen to take a test which has returned a positive result and will miss an exam or exams.  There is no requirement to carry out a covid test.

Point of Contact for queries:

Exam Office Staff

Chnoor Saeeb (EO)

Ranjitha Rajadurai (NEA Co-Ordinator / Contingency)

Head of Centre

Feras Abed