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We accommodate a range of access arrangements. Contact us to learn more!
Students have shared how much more comfortable and less intimidated they feel taking exams at our centre.
We are recognised by all major awarding bodies and have a proven track record of successfully running assessments at our centre.
We offer a wide range of GCSE, IGCSE, Functional Skills, AS & A-Level exams in both November and May series.
Complete the Exam Registration Form with details of the exams i.e.exam board and specification codes attaching your ID i.e. Passport or Driver’s licence and your previous results (if you have any).
If you require any access arrangements you can attach your EHCP and/or SENCo or JCQ Form 8. You can contact us if you are unsure about this. Under JCQ guidelines we will have to apply for approval for these arrangements before approving them.
After sitting your exams you will be informed of the date of your results.
We will send across your Exam timetable which will state your candidate number, date and time of your exams as well as any other information relevant to your exams.
Once we have checked places are available we will send out a payment link and finalising all documentation.
GCSE, IGCSE, and AS & A-Level exam dates are set nationally. As a private candidate, you’ll sit your exams at the same time as all other students across the UK. Your exam dates will depend on the subjects you’re studying and the awarding body responsible for your qualification.
Most GCSE exams typically take place in May/June, with an additional opportunity to sit English Language and Maths in November.
IGCSE exams are usually held in November and May/June (there is no longer a January option).
AS and A-Level exams are scheduled for May/June, with any practical endorsements occurring throughout the year.
Cambridge International A-Levels are generally available in October/November and May/June.
To find out the next opportunity to sit your exams, use the ‘examination form’ to get in touch with us.
It’s crucial to provide all the necessary information to ensure your exam booking goes smoothly. You’ll need to have the correct exam code for the papers you want to sit; this may be referred to as a syllabus, specification, entry, or course code. If you’re unsure or can’t find the code,
contact your course provider for assistance.
To register for exams, please provide the following:
The Exam’s Officer will send out specific details of where to go on the day of the exam, but we’d suggest you arrive about half an hour early just to avoid any unforeseeable circumstances.
There are restrictions on what you can and can’t take into the exam room, so here is an outline
DO take:
DO NOT take into the exam room:
If a mobile phone or smart watch is found on you during an exam, even if turned off,
then you are likely to be disqualified from that exam. The exam centre has no say on
this as it is a rule set by the Joint Council for Qualifications.
You can bring your phone to the centre but make sure to switch it off and hand it to
the invigilator for safekeeping.
It is recommended that you book your exams approximately six months before the selected exam dates. This timeframe allows adequate preparation and gives the centre enough time to complete all necessary administrative tasks.
While you can book your exam closer to the exam date, availability may be limited, and you may incur additional ‘late fees.’ Typically, the booking deadline for summer exams is in early February, while winter/autumn exams have a deadline in September. After these dates, late fees will apply to secure a place. Please also note that once exams have been booked and if a student wants to withdraw before the deadline has passed then there is a £100 administration fee which is non-refundable for each subject. After the deadline has been passed no refunds will be eligible for candidates looking to withdraw.
Once you have booked your specific examinations, you will receive a personalised exam timetable detailing the exams you’ve registered for, including the dates, times, and durations. You will also be assigned a candidate number and provided with instructions for each exam. Please ensure you follow these instructions carefully and double check all exam dates and times with the relevant exam body.
Most of the exams are held at our Coventry Road Examination Centre in Birmingham unless otherwise specified. Any additional changes will be specified to closer to the time including additional venues. You must bring a valid form of ID to each exam (e.g., passport or driver’s licence), as failure to do so may result in disqualification. Make sure all your documents are up to date and plan your journey to the centre in advance to ensure timely arrival. Parking is available on-site, and the centre is well-connected to public transport routes from both Birmingham City and
Solihull. Please note that exams will not be delayed for late arrivals, thereby plan accordingly.
Certain subjects, such as GCSE English, IGCSE English, and all GCSE language subjects, require specified endorsements as well as A-Level Sciences. The Exams Officer will provide instructions for completing these upon registration and there are separate charges for each of
these endorsements.
For A-Level Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), there are mandatory practical’s that must be completed as part of the course. We conduct all these practical’s in a laboratory approved by the examination body. Students will need to complete laboratory work and undergo assessments. When filling out the ‘Examination Form,’ please indicate whether you need to complete these Science practical’s. If you have already completed them in the past, you will need to provide evidence (usually indicated on your results/certificates). Please note that practical’s and coursework are priced separately. Check our fees page for more details.
When booking your exams, please understand that considerable time and effort goes into the process. As a private examination centre, we have a limited number of candidates for each exam series. If you are unable to sit the exams due to unforeseen circumstances, you must provide adequate evidence. Any exam withdrawals prior to entering deadline will incur a £100 administration cost which is non-refundable.
The deadlines for partial refunds are as follows:
Please note that no refunds will be issued after the deadlines set by the Awarding Bodies.
GCSE, IGCSE, and A-Level results are typically released in late August for the summer series and in January for the November series.
Our Exams Officer will inform you of the exact date for results release in advance. You are expected to collect your results in person from the centre. If you cannot do so, please contact the centre to make alternative arrangements. If you wish to appeal your results, you can do so by completing the relevant form, with guidance from our Exams Officer. Please note that there is usually a charge for appeals, and the process can take 3-4 weeks.
Certificates are generally available approximately 12 weeks after results day. Please contact the centre before arranging collection.
We have welcomed students from Ireland, Egypt, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, Sweden, India, and Pakistan to sit their exams at our centre. We recognise that each student’s needs and circumstances are unique, and we have successfully accommodated a variety of requirements. Our central location provides excellent connections to Birmingham Airport, rail and bus services, and major motorway networks, making the exam process smooth and convenient. There are hotels nearby, and the city centre is just 20-minutes from us. If you are an international student looking to sit exams, please contact us to discuss the arrangements.
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