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Examinations and Internal Assessment Hand Book

2017-2018 Student

Examinations Manager: Mrs A [email protected] Tel: 0161 795 300

Information and Instructions

Angela Elsworth | The Co-operative Academy of Manchester

mailto:[email protected]

This examination handbook has been designed to help student’s successfully complete public and mock examinations and to achieve their full potential.

A level / AS Level / GCSE / BTEC and Mock exams will take place in 2017 – 2018 at the following times

From To Series20/11/2017 01/02/2018 November mocks26/02/2018 09/03/2018 February mocks14/05/2018 22/06/2018 External GCSE/GCE and BTEC

exams25/06/2018 28/06/2018 Year 10 mocks

In between these times students will sit coursework modules and speaking exams where applicable. Some students will also sit BTEC external exams

It is vital all students attend every school session so that they do not miss out on important lessons and modules.

Students will receive an individual timetable for each exam season they are entered for. Morning exams will begin at 9.00am. Afternoon exams begin at 1.30pm. Changes may be made to these times for mock

exams. Candidates must not write or draw inappropriate, obscene or offensive materials onto work or papers submitted for

marking. This may lead to the work being disqualified and the withdrawal of the final award. Exams scheduled in the afternoon may sometimes run later than the normal academy day, please check your timetable

for details. Candidates must be outside the exam rooms 15 minutes before the exam begins Candidates must check seating plans and sit in the correct seats. Failure to do this can lead the student to take the wrong

paper. There will be identity cards on the tables to allow external staff to identify students. These cards must not be destroyed. Mobile phones, smartwatches and all other devices that have internet capability must not be brought into the exam

rooms under any circumstance. All phones and devices must be stored in lockers, switched off so that they do not disturb others. Students will be asked to remove all watches and place them on the desk as per JCQ regulations

If a mobile phone or other electrical device is seen or heard in an examination staff are obliged to inform examination boards. This can, and does result in disqualification from the examination, and sometimes the entire course.

Candidates should read the Instructions to Candidates on the next few pages, these are published by JCQ. This is the organisation responsible for overseeing all public examinations, failure to adhere to these instructions can lead to disqualification.

If you are unable to attend an examination you must contact the academy by 8.15am and inform Student Services of the reason you will not be attending. A doctor’s note or other evidence of your inability to attend must be handed in to Student Services within 24 hours of your absence. This will be reported to the Examination Board. Some exams are set in units and students must complete all units to achieve an overall grade.

Students must attend all examinations in full school uniform Students should arrive with proper equipment for the examination. All exams must be written in black ink only. A ruler,

rubber and calculator without storage facilities will also be useful. Only clear pencil cases are allowed in an exam hall. No food may be brought into an exam hall, water may be brought in but must be in a clear container with the labels

removed. If you need any help or further information regarding examinations please contact the Examinations Manager on the

academy number.

Coursework

When submitting final coursework to the exam boards students much sign an authentication form stating that the work is their own, has been completed by themselves and all copied work has been properly referenced to the original author.


Plagiarism and malpractice in coursework and examinations is taken very seriously by the examination boards and if discovered leads to the work being disqualified. Students are then unable to gain their qualification.

Results

Exam Results are issued to students on the following dates

GCSE Summer 2018 Series Year 11 Thursday 23 August 2018 10.00am

Students must retain information they are given after every exam series as they will need to produce these documents when enrolling in college.

Appeals

For information on how to appeal against results of internal or external assessments please contact the examinations manager

Certificates Students are issued with their certificates during Presentation Evening. This takes place in November after they have completed their exams in year 11. Certificates are not issued by the exam boards before this time. Students will be sent an invitation to attend Presentation Evening.

Exam certificates can only be replaced by the examinations boards and are very expensive. Students must ensure they collect them within six months of issue from the academy and keep them in a safe place. Exam boards charge to replace original certificates.

Worrying about Exams ?

A degree of anxiety is normal and can actually help motivate you to study and prepare for exams. Almost everyone feels nervous before an exam. Butterflies in your stomach and worrying thoughts like, “ Have I done enough revision?” “ What if I cant answer the questions”? is normal.

A certain amound of nervous tension can help us perform to the best of our ability, producing a rush of adrenaline that helps us feel alert and focused. Too much anxiety can block thoughts; create a negative mindset, and could lead to panic and your mind going blank.


There are a number of things you can do to help yourself manage your thoughts and worries;

Get enough sleep. Try to keep your sleep routine as regular as possible. Don’t study for at least two hours before you go to bed, your mind needs to unwind and relax. Avoid caffine after 6 pm.

Take regular exercise. This is a great way of dealing with worry. As little as 10 or 20 minutes a day can make a big difference. Exercise raises your mood, reduces muscle tension and improves sleep.

Feed your brain. Eating regular meals and snacks can improve your mental performance. Have breakfast every day as this improves your memory skills and will make you more alert.

Take plenty of short breaks when studying. This is very important, especially when revising, you will stay alert and will learn, and remember more.

Leave time in your day for fun and relaxation. You need to take time to enjoy yourself. This will help you study better and remember more. Your brain needs time to process information.

Be realistic. Don’t try to do it all in one day. If you need help working out a revision timetable, ask a member of staff or your family.

If you feel that you are ovewhelmed – take some time,Close your eyes and breath deeply Remind yourself how well you are doingShake your arms and relax your shoulders Go for a walk or do some exercise to distract yourself for a short whileTalk to someone if you feel overwhelmed, you can talk to a member of staff at school or your family. We have all been through this and do understand

When its over if you still feel anxious about how you did or the results, you may want to talk to your family or frieds about it. You can speak to staff at school who understand what you are going through.

Preparation

Make sure you have eaten before the exam. This will improve your memory and make you feel generally better Make sure you are in the academy on time, rushing in will add to your levels of anxiety Bring in the equipment you need with you. Always use a black pen in exams and a clear pencil case is permitted. Check where you should be and at what time, and where you are sitting. Seating plans with this information are up in

your zone and outside the exam. If you can’t see yourself on the plan, tell the exams manager or an invigilator. You must arrive in full uniform Do not bring in your phone or any electronic device to an exam – this always leads to disqualification from the unit by

the exam board. You must remove any wrist watches and place on the desk in full view of invigilation staff

In the exam

You have sat mocks in the academy so there will be nothing new in the actual exams that you have not experience before, except the paper is marked by the exam board. All of the sourroundings and routines will be familiar

Listen to the instructions on the CD and those given to you by the invigilator. Always write the Centre number, your name and candidate number on your paper and on all of the spare paper that

you may need. Water will be supplied in the longer exams but you can bring in a clear bottle with no label on it for yourself to all of

the exams Remember – no communication is permitted, even when the papers are being collected. Work at your pace, keep and eye on the clock and the finish times. If others have finished early it doesn’t mean they

have done it all, just concentrate on what you are doing.


If you are not sure of something, have a query about the level or tier of the exam paper you are sitting or anything else put up your hand and ask. We are happy to check everything and invigilation staff are there to assist you. They are not able to help with the content of the paper.

Try to keep visits to the loo to a minimum, go before you come in as repeated visits have to be reported to the exam boards.

Any questions about exams, please see the exams manager Mrs Elsworth, she is more than happy to help and answer your queries. Remember, someone can help you with any questions or worries you may have.

Staff are here to help

If you still have concerns you can talk to a teacher or the exams manager at any time. Parents can contact staff on the academy number 0161 795 3005

Good luck, we believe in you and are proud of you and how far you have come in the academy

JCQ Instructions to Candidates: The following instructions are issued by JCQ, this is the organisation that ensures all external examinations are conducted fairly in all education establishments. Please read them carefully and make yourself aware of the rules.

Further guidance for candidates on written, onscreen and BTEC exams are on the following pages


The co-operative academy of Manchester would like to wish all students every success in their examinations


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