View in your browser

  

Contact us
 
   
   
 
Exams update - June 2015
  
   
 
 
Welcome to your Exams update
 
I wanted to start off by acknowledging the service you’ve received from the team in recent weeks. It hasn’t been as you’d expect and I’m really sorry.

The volume of queries we’ve had in Customer Services have been significantly more than previous years and this has been due to a number of issues including dispatches. I’m pleased to tell you that any concerns we did have with dispatches have been rectified. That said, the Customer Services team still needed additional resource to cope with the extra volumes. During half term, we trained 50% more staff so we’re better able to support you. 
 
We’ve reviewed your comments from last month’s survey. Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts and please continue to tell us what you think. We’ll also complete a specific summer review over the coming months where we’ll invite you to comment. Until then, I wanted to assure you that we are listening and we’re committed to exceeding your expectations in the future.

Nikki Bolshaw, Department Manager, Customer Service.
 
   
     
     
   
  Hot topics  
 
 
  • Have you made all your final entry checks ready for results? Read important information to ensure your students receive results on results day.
     
  • Entry fees for 2015/16 and indicative prices for 2017 are available on our website.
     
  • Summer 2015 past papers and mark schemes - what's available when.
 
   
     
     
   
  Have your say  
 
 
Please spare a moment to tell us what matters to you and how we can better support you.






 
Send us your feedback
 
   
     
     
   
  Hints and tips  
 
 
  • Watch our top tips for exam day video for how to avoid lost marks and delays in results.
     
  • Need additional answer paper for an exam? Please use the AQA supplementary 4 page answer books (SLAB4). Please do not use single sheets or alternatives as these can cause issues for scanning. For more SLAB4s email stationeryrequests@aqa.org.uk.
     
  • To avoid potential breaches of security and possible malpractice, care must be taken when opening question paper packets. Another member of staff should check the time, date and other paper details before a question paper packet is opened, see section 11, page 29 of the JCQCIC Instructions for conducting examinations (ICE) booklet.
     
  • Read our email about AQA script bags. Please ensure you double bag any scripts before sending.
     
  • Find out when and how to apply for special consideration - deadline for summer 2015 applications is 1 July 2015.
 
  .
     
     
   
  Exam time  
 
 
Fraudulent calls
 
We were recently advised that a very small number of schools and colleges were contacted by a bogus caller, claiming to be from an awarding organisation. The caller informs the school/college that there is a suspected issue with a question paper and that the packet should be opened immediately and checked. The caller then asks that a copy of the question paper be sent to an address for checking.

We will not contact you in this way and that under no circumstances should any exam material be opened prior to the day of the exam or sent to any third party. This would breach security measures and can be classed as malpractice.

There have been no reported breaches. However, should you have received a similar call or you are unsure of any call you receive, please notify us at malpractice-n@aqa.org.uk or contact the relevant awarding organisation immediately.
 
  .
     
     
   
 
We're here to help
  
     
     
 
We want to provide the best possible support for you, particularly during the busy exam period.

Exams Office Support – our customer services team is available to help you with your general enquiries. You can contact us on 0844 209 6614 or email eos@aqa.org.uk.

Online – we will update our exams administration page and on e-AQA with any news affecting most schools.
  
     
   
     
     
   
  News roundup  
 
 
AQA child safeguarding policy and code of behaviour
 
You can expect us to behave professionally and appropriately when we, or anyone representing us, visit your school or college.

You can read about how AQA's Code of Behaviour sets out these acceptable standards of behaviour, and our child and vulnerable adult safeguarding policy.
JCQCIC spring 2015 dispatch to centres
 
The JCQCIC spring 2015 dispatch to schools/colleges will start in early June. As usual, you will receive a memory stick, two Essential Key Dates wall planners for the 2015/16 academic year and three copies of the JCQCIC publication General Regulations for Approved Centres. 

The documents on the memory stick include:
  • Appeals: A guide to the awarding bodies’ appeals processes 
     
  • Coursework: Instructions for conducting coursework
     
  • GCE examinations: Entry, aggregation and certification procedures
     
  • GCE AS Transfer of Credit arrangements
     
  • Key dates in the exam cycle 2015/16
     
  • Post-results services: Information and guidance to centres, June 2015 and November 2015 exam series
     
  • Forms: Access to scripts and enquiries about results services request forms
     
  • Notice to centres – Exam contingency plan/exams policy
     
  • Notice to centres – Release of general qualifications results for June 2016 exam series
     
  • Notice to centres – Responsibility of heads of centre to report malpractice.
The pdf versions of these documents are also available on the JCQCIC website.
Vacancies for centre inspectors
 
Are you interested in becoming a centre inspector? We will have vacancies for centre inspectors in 2016.

Centre inspectors play a vital role in ensuring the exam process has integrity and JCQCIC regulations are being applied consistently.

If you are retiring this year and will be available from February to June next year, please call the Centre Inspection Office on 01483 556271 for further details.
Ofqual's GCSE maths research
 
Ofqual has published its findings from the research into expected difficulty of exam boards’ sample exam papers on its website. Read the report.
 
  .
     
     
     
   
  Subject updates  
 
 
Work Related Learning (WRL)
 
Please share our Work Related Learning summer 2015 update with your teaching staff for subjects, including PSE, Preparation for Working Life and Enterprise, Employability and Personal Finance.
Design and Technology
 
Read our Design for life magazine sent to teachers of Design and Technology and Engineering featuring our new Level 3 Tech-levels in Engineering.
 
  .
     
     
     
   
  Our new qualifications  
 
 
The following new draft specifications for first teaching from September 2016 have been submitted to Ofqual and are available on our website:
 
 
  .
     
     
 
Read our Privacy statement.

© Copyright 2015 AQA and its licensors.

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX..