The first stage of the exam cycle – a period where perhaps an annual exams plan is drawn up – a time when information is gathered and shared and forward planning for upcoming exam series gets underway
Guides, checklists and templates
These are annually reviewed/updated and published each July-September
- A GUIDE TO MANAGING EXAM PLANNING
Provides an overview of the areas of planning that should be considered in the run up to or the start of the new academic year
Building an annual exams plan
- ANNUAL EXAMS PLAN TEMPLATE
Provides a framework/starting point on which to build an annual exams plan; a selection of key dates, deadlines and events are provided for the period September-August
Information gathering and information sharing
- EXAMS OFFICER/LINE MANAGER MEETING REPORT FORM TEMPLATE
Provides a way of informing the regular meeting agenda and ultimately informing the annual exams review which EOs may consider undertaking towards the end of the academic year
- INFORMATION GATHERING FORM TEMPLATE
Provides an example form to gather information from teaching staff about all the qualifications being delivered that will be examined/assessed during the academic year (Undertaking an information gathering exercise will provide an early indication to allow forward planning for the exams year ahead and can be used as a basis on which to provide awarding bodies with early information where this may be required)
- ANNUAL QUALIFICATIONS PLAN TEMPLATE
Provides an example spreadsheet to complement the use of the information gathering form above, providing a way of collating/summarising all the information gathered into one single point of reference, creating an annual qualifications plan
- JCQ DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST TEMPLATE
Provides an example spreadsheet and is designed to support exams officers with information sharing by ensuring relevant and/or updated JCQ documents are signposted to staff and candidates
Ensuring the integrity and security of the exam/assessment system
- A GUIDE TO MANAGING CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY IN THE EXAM CYCLE
Confidentiality and security is not purely about the secure storage of exam papers and confidential materials – this guide provides a brief overview of the main responsibilities of centres and highlights some issues that may need to be considered through the exam cycle​
- DECLARATION OF INTEREST FORM TEMPLATE
- CONFLICTS OF INTEREST LOG TEMPLATE
Templates to support the internal collection of declarations, the internal recording of conflicts and the steps taken to manage the risk represented by the conflict
- CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS: INITIAL POINT OF DELIVERY LOG TEMPLATE
Provides a way of recording confidential materials received at point of delivery in the centre to the delivery/issue of the confidential materials to the exams officer (or authorised staff)
- CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS: RECEIPT, SECURE MOVEMENT, CHECKS AND SECURE STORAGE LOG TEMPLATE
Provides a way of recording the receipt, secure movement, checking and secure storage of confidential materials with a supplementary log to record the secure movement of any materials during the time the material is confidential
- HANDLING SECURE ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LOG TEMPLATE
Provides a way of confirming compliance with the required arrangements when handling specific secure electronic material
- NEA SECURITY CHECKLIST TEMPLATE
A checklist to confirm the arrangements in place (in teaching departments) relating to the security and storage of candidates’ Â work (non-examination assessments, controlled assessments, coursework) comply with JCQ requirements
- SECURE STORAGE AND CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS CHECKLIST
A checklist to self-assess if the secure storage arrangements and the security of confidential materials in your centre comply with JCQ requirements
- SECURE ROOM/SECURE STORAGE FACILITY: KEYHOLDER AND ACCESS LOG TEMPLATE
Provides a way of centrally recording secure room and/or secure storage facility keyholder and access information
- THIRD PARTY AGREEMENT TEMPLATE
Provides a means of recording a written agreement to support shared understanding of the arrangement
- A GUIDE TO JCQ CENTRE INSPECTIONS
Provides an overview of the types of centre inspection visits
Resilience and contingency arrangements
- RESILIENCE AND CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS CHECKLIST TEMPLATE New for 2024/25
Provides a means of recording and confirming compliance with the JCQ requirements
QUICK LINKS to other documents and resources useful to support exam planning:
INVIGILATION SUPPORT RESOURCES
The Exams Office does not maintain administration information in relation to awarding body-specific qualifications – as example, please refer to Pearson support information including the Information Manual to understand the administration of BTECs and to OCR support information to understand the administration of Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals
The Exams Office takes no responsibility for any outcomes in centres as a result of the information provided on our website, The Exams Office Hub or within our documentation. It is the responsibility of schools/colleges to apply this information as they deem necessary within their own centre. You should always contact/refer to the relevant awarding body for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their qualifications.
