Exams

There are many different exam windows throughout the year from mock examinations to GCSE and A Level external examinations. The latest versions of the exam timetable will be available below, as a link, in an Excel spreadsheet.

You can download the spreadsheet and highlight the examinations that you are entered for. 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).

Certificates

If you sat exams in 2023/2024 please collect your certificates as soon as possible. We are only able to keep them in the school for one year; they are then required to be returned to the exam boards.  Please make sure that you make arrangements to pick up the exam certificates as you may need them long after you have left Kingdown School.

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 examinatio
• 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

Certificates for 2023/2024 will be available from the end of November.  If you need your certificates posting please give your address, plus £3 postage for recorded delivery, to school reception.  Certificates prior to this date that have not been collected have been returned to the exam board.

Please note: certificates can be replaced through the relevant exam board, at a cost to yourself.