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Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame
High School

FAQs

 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Examinations

FAQ: Which Exam Boards does Notre Dame High School use?

 

GCSE courses

 

Art (Fine Art)

Edexcel

Business Studies - Single Award

Edexcel

Computer Science

OCR

Design & Technology

Edexcel

Design & Technology (Textiles)

AQA

Drama

Edexcel

English Language

AQA

English Literature

AQA

Food Preparation and Nutrition

AQA

French

Eduqas

Geography

AQA

History

Edexcel

Japanese

Edexcel

Mathematics

AQA

Music

Edexcel

Physical Education

Edexcel

Religious Studies A

Edexcel

Science                      

AQA

Spanish

Edexcel

GCE courses

 

Art (Fine Art)

Edexcel

Biology

AQA

Business Studies 

Eduqas

Chemistry A

OCR

Computer Science

OCR

D&T Product Design

Edexcel

Drama

Edexcel

Economics A

Edexcel

English Language and Literature

Eduqas

English Literature A

AQA

French

Eduqas

Further Maths

AQA

Geography

OCR

History A

OCR

Maths

AQA

Maths Studies Certificate

AQA

Music

Edexcel

Physical Education

AQA

Physics A

OCR

Politics

Psychology

Edexcel

AQA

Philosophy & Ethics

OCR

Sociology

AQA

Spanish

Edexcel

Extended Project

AQA

FAQ: Where can I find a timetable of all the exams?

A general timetable of written exams is posted on our website, just select the Timetables tab. Separate arrangements are made for oral and practical exams: your teachers will advise you of these.

FAQ: How do I know when I have an exam?

You will be issued with a timetable via your Form Tutor.  You should check it to make sure that you have been entered for the correct units (and that none are missing).  Also check your date of birth and that we have the correct spelling of your name. This should be your full legal name.  If anything is wrong, or missing, please come to the Exams Office in J24. Keep the timetable as you'll need to refer to this during the coming weeks!

FAQ: How do I know where my exam will be taking place and where I should sit?

Most A-level exams take place in L31/L32 and most GCSE exams take place in the Sports Hall. We place seating plans on the exams noticeboards on the outside wall of the Sports Hall (in the covered area) a few weeks prior to the exams, so you should check these ahead of time.  If your name doesn't appear, please contact the exams office immediately.

FAQ: I've got two exams taking place at the same time. What do I do?

The exams office team will already be aware of exam clashes and will work out a strategy for you.  However if you notice a clash first, please contact the exams office. Special arrangements will be made for you to fit the exams into the day.

FAQ: Am I allowed to take food or drinks into the exam hall?

You are allowed to take a bottle of water into the exam with you; in fact it's recommended to keep good hydration levels.  However it must only be water and it must be in a clear bottle with no labels. Food will not be allowed, except if it's for medical reasons that you've discussed with us first.  Do ensure that you have a good breakfast and lunch on exam days.

FAQ: What do I need to bring with me into an exam?

It is each student's responsibility to have the correct equipment for each exam. Your teacher should talk this through with you prior to the exam. You should have black pens (biros, not gel pens), and it's a good idea to have a spare pen, too.  You may also need pencils, a ruler, a calculator (unless specified otherwise), erasers, compass and protractor and coloured pencils. If you bring a pencil case, it must be a clear plastic one, and should not contain any pieces of paper/notes. 

FAQ: When do I need to arrive for an exam?

Morning exams start at 09.00 a.m. and afternoon exams start at 1.30 p.m. You should assemble at least 15 minutes before the start of each exam.  GCSE students should assemble at Lady Julian Green if it's dry, or in the Gym if it's wet.  A-level students should wait in the stairwell of Lady Julian building for exams in L31/L32 and wait to be called into the exam. However, A-level students sitting exams in the Sports Hall should congregate by the astro-turf area, or, if wet, go straight to S19 (the bags room).

FAQ: What happens if I arrive late for an exam?

If you realise you are going to be late, you should telephone the Exams Office, so that we know you are on your way.  What happens depends on how late you are, as the Exam Boards have very strict rules about whether you can sit the exam or not.  In some instances, you may be allowed to start the exam a little late, but, in the case of arriving very late, you may not be allowed to sit that paper, which would mean that you wouldn't get a grade.

FAQ: What should I do if I am ill on the day of the exam and unable to sit it?

Please contact the Exams Office as soon as possible so that we are aware. You will probably then need to provide us with medical evidence, such as a doctor's letter, to support our discussions with the Exam Boards.

FAQ: What should I wear during an exam?

GCSE students should wear their full school uniform.  A-level students should wear their normal school clothes, bearing in mind the suitability and comfort required for what might be a lengthy exam.  Hats, scarves and coats are not permitted.

FAQ: How and when will I receive my certificates?

Certificates for Summer exams will be given out during Prize Evening, which is typically held in the December following the exam results.

If you are unable to attend your Prize Evening, then we can post your certificates to you via Recorded Delivery.

FAQ: I sat my exams some time ago, and I can't find my certificates.  How do I get replacements?

If you think you may not have collected your certificates from us in the first place, please contact the Exams Office to see if we're still holding them for you.  If you did collect them, we cannot, unfortunately, provide replacements.  The Exam Boards don't issue copies either, but "certified statements" instead.  Please use this link to the OFQUAL website, which has all of the details, and further links to the relevant forms you'll need to complete. Each certified statement will cost from £35.00 to £53.50, according to the Exam Board.

The Exam Boards have all changed their names in recent years, so may have been known by a dfferent name if you took your exams some years ago.  The current and previous names are shown below:

Current name

Previous name

AQA

AEB Associated Examining Board

SEG Southern Examining Group

NEAB Northern Examination & Assessment Board

PEARSON

EDEXCEL

BTEC Business & Technology Education Council

ULEAC University of London Examinations & Assessment Council

OCR

UCLES University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate

RSAEB Royal Society of Arts Examinations Board

OCEAC Oxford & Cambridge Examinations & Assessment Council

MEG Midlands Examinations Group

WJEC

CWB Central Welsh Board