Please check out the information in our Candidate Booklet here as well which covers information about procedures, emergencies in an exam room and other useful topics.
GCSE exams may have a mix of written exam(s) and non-examination assessment(s).
- Written Exams
- GCSE exam series which takes place in May, June and July. Exams cannot be rescheduled.
- There is currently a re-sit opportunity for English and Maths GCSEs ONLY in the November for students enrolling at De Aston Sixth Form.
- There are mock exams and assessments throughout the year to prepare students for their official examinations.
- GCSE Non-Examination Assessments or NEAs
- These can take place at any time during your course depending on the exam board/subject/number of non-examination assessments involved etc. Ask your class teacher for more details about timings of these essential assessments because they are integral to your success in your chosen subject.
Information Before Exams
- Statements of Entry
- These are sent out in March.
- You will be asked to sign and return a copy of it to confirm that your final exam entries are correct.
- Provisional timetable
- these tell you what day your exam is on. The times shown are intended as an indication of morning or afternoon only!
- the times shown may alter so don’t write them on your calendar yet! Wait for your individual timetable.
- Individual Timetable
- This is your personalised timetable showing you the dates and finalised times of your exams
- It also shows you the room you will be in and the desk number that you will be sitting at.
This information is sent home via students as a hard copy and also emailed to students and parents electronically by SchoolComms (where we have a valid email address).
Whole school timetable
This shows you all the exams the school is holding during May, June and July. It also gives you an indication of which rooms will be used for each exam plus some reminders about important information. You will see it displayed around the school and on the school website.
REMEMBER – always aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before your exam. This will give you time if your journey is delayed and will also give you time to check the Exams Notice Board for any last minute changes to exam rooms etc.
Seating Plans/Lists
These will be on displayed on the Exams Notice Board.
Exam Clashes
Once you are given your provisional timetable you may notice that two or more exams are scheduled to take place on the same day and at the same time. Unfortunately, this does occur occasionally (generally during the summer series) because not all our exams are with the same examining board and it is NOT the school that organises the timings of exams. Arrangements will be made to stagger any clash exams but here are some points to remember:
Your Legal Name and Candidate ID Number
You are entered for your exams using your legal name. This is because your exam certificates are legal documents and can only be issued in the name which is legally yours at the time you sit your exams. Potential employers or Colleges may ask to see, not only your exam certificates, but also your birth certificate or passport to prove that the qualifications are yours and not anyone else’s. You can only have your preferred surname on your exams records if you have changed your name by Deed Poll and you supply a certified copy of that Deed to the school before your exam entries are made.
ALWAYS put your legal name on your exam answer booklets/papers. The candidate ID number identifies you to the exam board. It is unique to you within the school. Ensure it is recorded on ALL answer booklets/scripts/controlled assessments. Make sure you record and use it accurately.
Exam Certificates
Certificates will be available for collection by the beginning of December, please check the school website for the exact date nearer the time or ring to confirm.