Prayers to St Joseph of Cupertino For Success

Prayers to St Joseph of Cupertino For Success in Exams O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Joseph of Cupertino, R: Pray for us.

Exams Rules and Responsibilities Making sure you get the result you deserve

During an exam you will be subject to the rules of our school and also to the rules of the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). There are written rules about what pupils, Invigilators, Exams Officers, Teachers and Head Teachers must do, and what they must not do in Exams. These rules are designed to make it fair for everyone doing exams across the UK, and to make sure that problems can be avoided or followed up afterwards. Everyone is covered by these rules – lets see what you should know about exams…………

Number 1 - Turn up on time Check your exam timetables properly…. . last year some pupils turned up on the wrong day! Make sure you have a phone number for the school in case of problems. If you turn up late, the Exam Board may not mark your paper even if you finished it.

Number 2 - Let someone know if you have a medical problem before the start Injuries could slow you down – protect your hands! A constant cough or sneezing could disturb others – you may be moved to another room

Number 3 - Make sure you bring the correct equipment • Only use black ballpoint pens. No gel pens are allowed, even black ones. • Pencils may be used if it says so on the paper. No ‘Tippex’, • See-through pencil cases are the only ones you can bring into the exam room. • If you are allowed a calculator, check the battery. It must not be able to store data. • No i. Pod’s, MP 3/4 players, memory sticks, headphones, mobile phones or other internet enabled devices • No notes, any digital equipment, calculator cases/instruction leaflets • No bags or jackets in the exam room. (Why? )

Number 4 - Make sure you listen to the instructions at the start • You may have to check you have the correct paper • You may need to make changes to the paper if a problem has been identified • You need to listen to the warnings given PAY ATTENTION – This may be the last chance to sort out problems before the exam begins

Number 5 - Read the instructions on the front carefully 1. Check ALL the details about the date, time and permitted equipment; 2. Put your name on the front cover if required – If you don’t we don’t know who to give results to; 3. Make sure you understand which questions to answer…. . it could be: 1. All of them; 2. One or two from each section; If you get it wrong you will waste time and may end up trying to answer questions on topics you have not studied. IF YOU FINISH EARLY, CHECK YOU’VE LOOKED AT EVERY PAGE

Number 6 - If you need something during the exam, put up your hand • You might need to tell the Invigilator that you have the wrong paper, or that there is a problem with it such as the print being too faint to read. The Invigilator will replace it; • You might need more answer paper; • You might need to go to the toilet (visits will be recorded and you will be escorted); • You might feel ill. BUT………….

Number 7 - The Invigilator cannot help you with any of the questions The JCQ rules say that Invigilators must only answer questions about the instructions on the front of the examination paper and they must not read the words printed in the question paper to a candidate.

Number 8 - Don’t cheat - the punishments can be severe Last year, nearly three thousand pupils were caught cheating or disturbing exams. Some cases were so bad that the results of everyone in the room were cancelled. Invigilators are trained what to look for – don’t risk it………. . it’s your future.

Number 9 - Mobile phones are not allowed in the exam room…ever If you have a mobile phone in the room, even if it’s switched off, battery missing, doesn’t work or is in your bag, you risk losing the result for the paper you are sitting. If you touch it, or it makes a noise you could lose all your results for that subject. If you use it (text or speak) you could lose all your results for all subjects, and maybe for the next two years too!

There is no right of appeal against a mobile phone malpractice decision It’s no good trying the Human Rights Act, it doesn’t apply in these cases. The rule is very clear, mobile phones are not allowed in exam halls, regardless of how much battery they have left, if they are in aeroplane mode, switched off or otherwise. The consequences are also clear: marks were lost in 900 cases in 2018, and a loss of aggregation or certification opportunity occurred on 130 occasions. Some lost their College or University places as a result of having a phone. So why do it?

Number 10 – Use the students areas on the Exam Board websites Remember……. There is plenty of help available on Exam Board websites for Students: • How to prepare; • How to revise; • Top Tips

During the Exam Season 1. 2. 3. 4. Candidates need to be ready to enter their examination at least 15 minutes before the start time. During the summer exam season GCSE students will be called in from the yard and A-Level students from the Sixth Form Study Area. This may change in wet weather. Details will be given each day – check the TV screens. Seating plans will be available on the day outside the exam rooms. GCSE students will find theirs on the wall opposite the PE corridor, and A-Level students will find theirs on the Sixth Form noticeboard in the study area. You should check this daily as it may vary from your individual timetable due to unforeseen circumstances. Uniform should be worn by all candidates (NB – no jackets/blazers). Should you not be wearing the expected attire, it may delay the start of your examination. Make sure you have more than one working pen as well as all the necessary equipment (pens, pencils, rulers, calculators etc). Only specialist scientific / geographical items will be loaned out – your subject teacher will let you know if you are affected in the run up to the exam.

During the Exam Season cont… 5. Equipment should be carried in a see-through pencil case, container or plastic wallet; not in a standard pencil case. a) b) c) d) e) You will not be able to borrow from friends You must write in black ink HB pencil should be used for drawings / diagrams Calculator lids/cases must be removed and stored under your chair for the duration of the exam Any memory function on the calculator must be cleared prior to each exam 6. No food is allowed in the examination room. 7. Bottled water is allowed in the exam, but it must be in a clear plastic bottle with the label removed. 8. If you are unwell and cannot attend the exam, you must inform the school as early as possible 01702 344933. You must speak to the Exams Officer; it is not acceptable to leave a message in this instance. Do not call the absence line.

Good Luck