I hope you've all had a great half term.

Over the last month we’ve held a number of training sessions and this edition is jam packed with guidance and information to support you through the November exams and more. The training has ranged from webinars to full day events for new exams officers.

We've received some really positive feedback and there are more events coming up. So keep your eyes open and let us know what you would like to see us cover in our online support training, using the survey below.

Some of you may be members of our Facebook page where you can see our latest news and ask us anything that’s on your mind.

I wish you all a good November series and hope that the exam period runs smoothly.

Nikki Bolshaw, Head of Customer Services

Remember, remember 5 November, your
last date to submit November 2016 coursework and controlled assessment marks and grades.

Summer 2017 entry fees are now available in the 2016/17 fees booklet on our website. Please be aware of the difference in fees between the  winter and summer exams, as we’re introducing the increase incrementally.

See the revised version 1.2 of the entry codes book and version control on our website.

Book your place on our new exams officer training events. We've places left for London and Birmingham and released extra dates for Manchester and Guildford in the new year.

Check out our AQA key dates calendar 2016/17.

Summer 2016 certificates will be issued by 7 November. Please check these carefully and if you find any discrepancies, email records@aqa.org.uk. We won’t charge for any amendments to names or dates of birth if certificates are returned to us before 31 January 2017.

Basedata for the summer 2017 series will be released from 14 November 2016.

Last date to request transferred candidate arrangements for the January 2017 series is 15 December 2016.

Results for the November 2016 series will be released to students on 12 January 2017.

Provisional November 2017 and January and March 2018 exam timetables are available on our website. Please send any comments to timetables@aqa.org.uk by 31 December 2016.

See our YouTube channel for guidance with entries, exam preparation and much more.

New exams officer? Check our Secure Key Materials > Admin section on e-AQA, where you'll find over 50 sample documents to guide you.

Need help with e-Subs? View our tutorials to guide you through the process.

If you are missing an attendance register for an exam, you can create these on e-AQA:

• go to 'Entries' and select the 'Current Entry Reports' option
• select the 'Subject reports' tab and the specification, then 'go'
• select a component, then 'run report'.

To run a report, you will need to keep the Entry code field set as 'All'. A link for the attendance record will display at the bottom of the page.

Stay on track - to avoid potential breaches of security and possible malpractice, read the JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations (ICE) booklet. Any changes to this year's booklet are clearly highlighted at the beginning.

Exam stationery - if you need extra stationery you can order more using the top up form.

Download exam room posters from JCQ's website.

January 2017 entries - the deadline for very late entries is 15 December 2016. For our Tech-level and Applied General qualifications, late entries close on 1 December 2016. See also our subject update below.

March 2017 entries - you can now makes entries for the March 3G17 series. The entry deadline is 21 January 2017.

Important summer 2017 entry reminders

Summer 2017 is the last opportunity to re-sit exams in our Phase 1 reform outgoing specifications or make first time entries for our Phase 2 reform outgoing specifications. Read our summary guide on what’s available and our email sent to all schools and colleges.

AS and A-level reform

As you may be aware, we’ve made the decision not to continue the development of the new AS and A-level qualifications in Archaeology, Classical Civilisation, History of Art and Statistics. We’ve been in touch with teachers to offer support through until final exams. Read the full update.

Anticipated UCAS tariff points for
Applied Generals

UCAS has recently changed the way it allocates tariff points to qualifications. Read about how UCAS anticipate points to be allocated to our Level 3 Applied Certificate and Extended Certificate.

You can still accept private candidates

If your school/college accepts private candidates and you want to be added to our list, let us know by logging onto e-AQA. Simply follow the link from 'Entries', to 'Intention to enter', and tick the ‘accept private candidates’ box. This will update our list of schools - note this is a manual process and may take longer during in busy periods. Please note you can still accept private candidates if your school/college chooses not to appear on the published list.

Personal and Social Education (5800) entries can now be submitted (and results received) via our new vocational gateway system.

To ensure you receive timely updates, please use our Intention to Enter form. Don’t forget, entries can be made for PSE in any of the four available series each year. You can find these dates and more on our PSE admin page.

Tech-level and Applied General qualifications

Entertainment Technology 3D Environment Art and Engineering Mechanical Systems external assignments are available on Gateway.

If you haven't already, please ensure your centre approval is completed as soon as possible, so we can send you a Gateway log in to register students for exams.

Our Customer Services team is available to
help with your general enquiries. You can contact us on 0800 197 7162
(or +44 161 696 5995 from outside the UK) or email eos@aqa.org.uk.

Online – we will update our exams administration page and e-AQA with any news affecting most schools, including popular topics.