Exams

There are many different exam windows throughout the year from mock examinations to GCSE and A Level external examinations. 

If you have any questions about the exams, please speak to your teacher or to the Exams Officer at the Exams Office in school (near to reception).

Key rules for examinations

• You must be on time for all examinations. If you are late, your work might not be accepted
• You must not become involved in any unfair or dishonest practice in any part of the examination
• If you try to use any unfair practice, or break the rules in any way, you could be disqualified from all your subjects
• You may take into the examination room only the materials and equipment which are allowed
• You must not take into the examination room any unauthorised materials or equipment which might give you an unfair advantage such as notes, calculator cases/instruction leaflets, bags, personal TVs/stereos, electronic or radio communication devices including mobile telephones, iPods and MP3 players and smart-watches
• Any pencil cases taken into the room must be see-through
• 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
• You must not use correcting pens, fluid, highlighters, coloured pens or gel pens 
• You must not talk to or otherwise communicate with or disturb other candidates once the examination has started
• If you leave unsupervised before the end of the examination, you will not be allowed to return
• You must not borrow anything from another candidate during the examination

Make sure you:

• Know the dates and times of your examinations
• Arrive at least ten minutes before the start of each examination
• Report to the invigilator running the exam if you attend late
• If you arrive more than one hour after the published start time for the examination, you will not normally be allowed to take it
• Take into the examination room the pens, pencils, erasers and any instruments which you need for the examination. You must write in black ink or ballpoint pen only. Coloured pencils or inks may be used only for diagrams, maps, charts, etc. unless the instructions printed on the front of the question paper state otherwise

Calculators, Dictionaries and Computer Spell-checkers

• You may use a calculator, unless you are told otherwise
• Make sure it works properly, and that any batteries required are working
• Clear anything stored in it
• Remove any parts such as cases, lids or covers which have printed instructions or formulas
• Do not bring into the examination room any operating instructions or prepared programs
• You must not use a dictionary or computer spell-checker unless you are told that you may do so

Examination Instructions

• Listen to the invigilator and do what you are asked to do. Tell the invigilator at once: if you think you have not been given the right question paper or all the materials listed on the front of the paper; if the question paper is incomplete or badly printed
• Read and carefully follow the instructions printed on the question paper and/or on the answer booklet
• Fill in the details required on the front of the question paper and/or the answer booklet before you start the examination
• Do your rough work only on the proper examination stationery. Cross it through and hand it in with your answers

Advice and Assistance

• If on the day of the examination you feel that your work may be affected by ill health or any other reason, tell the invigilator
• Put up your hand during the examination if: you have a problem and are in doubt about what you should do; you feel ill; or you need more paper
• You must not ask for, and will not be given, any explanation of the questions

At the End of the Examination

• If you have used more than one answer booklet and/or any loose sheets of paper, you must place them in the correct order. Fasten them together with a treasury tag before you leave
• You must not leave the examination room until the invigilator tells you to do so
• You must not take from the examination room any examination stationery, used or unused, rough work or any other materials provided for the examination
• You must remain under supervision until at least one hour (or a period equal to the duration of the examination if this is less than one hour) after the published starting time for each examination

Results

Results Days 2025:

Yr 13 - AS/A level results will be available to collect on Thursday 14^th August 2025 from 8.00 am

  Yr 11 - GCSE results will be available to collect on Thursday 21^st August 2025 from 9.00 am

If you wish to receive your results by post you must ensure that an addressed envelope, stamped with the correct postage, is given to the Exams Officer – Mrs Grant or handed into reception before the end of the summer term (18th July 2025).

If you wish any other person (including family members) to collect your results on your behalf, please complete the reply slip in the 'Request for Results & Certificates...' form below before the end of the summer term.  If you do not collect your results on results day they will not be available until the beginning of the September term.

No results will be given out by telephone or email under any circumstances.

POST RESULTS

If you need post-results advice teaching staff are available on Results Day. 

If you wish to apply for a ‘Review of Results’ - RoR or request ‘Access to Script’ - ATS you must complete a Post-results Service Request form. Requests can only be made by the candidate.  Candidates must provide their written consent for these services.  Candidates should be aware that following a Review of Results that their marks and subject grades could go down as well as up.  You will need to complete the Post-Results Services Microsoft form which you can access via this link.  (You will need to log on to your Kingdown School email account to complete the form.)

Please find the post-results services deadlines and fees for each exam board at the bottom of this page.

Certificates

Certificates will be ready for collection at the end November.  We will need your signature when you collect them.

If you are unable to collect your certificates in person please collect a form from Mrs Grant and complete it to give permission for someone else to collect them for you; or

Collect a form from Mrs Grant and we will be able to send them by registered post to you for £5.00.

The school is obliged to keep certificates for a period of one year after issue, following this, any remaining certificates will be returned to the exam boards. If candidates do not collect their certificates within this time, or if they lose their certificates you will need to apply to the exam board for a statement of results. This can only be supplied by direct application to the appropriate exam boards.  This will require proof of identity (such as a birth certificate) and a substantial fee per board.  You are therefore urged to collect your certificates as soon as possible after the release date and to keep them safely.

If you sat exams in 2023/2024 please collect your certificates as soon as possible.