Annual fee reviews are a crucial process for any organisation to assess and adjust fees for the services or products they provide. arc exams is no different, but to demonstrate we are open and transparent about the fees we charge, we are keen to announce any changes. Not only to announce changes to entry fees, but also to provide the rationale behind the decision to do so, hence this blog.
When setting examination entry fees many factors are taken into consideration; The number of examination papers sat for each specification, the time allowance for each paper, expected candidate/invigilator ratios, speaking test requirements, if required, and whether any non-examined assessment is involved. We also standardise each subject entry fee, irrespective of the Awarding Organisations (AO) entered with despite them charging different fees.
For academic year 2024/25 we have reluctantly uplifted our entry fees by 3.0%, rounded up to the nearest ยฃ1 denomination. Yes, slightly more than headline inflation, but significantly lower than other private examination centres, one of whom is applying fees increases of between 6.5% – 7.6% across all of their subject entry fees, with language entry fees increasing by an eye-watering 12.1%.
So why have we decided to increase our fees? Well, put simply, our costs have increased. Staff salaries, rental charges, utilities etc have all seen significant increases over the last year. We’ve also made substantial investments in technology to enhance our customers experience. Add to that the increase in Awarding Organisation entry fees, up by double/treble the rate of inflation as illustrated by the graphic below, an increase in our examination entry fees was unavoidable.
Unlike other AOs, who have applied a broadly similar % fee uplift for each qualification type/subject, AQA have adopted a different approach. Their fee uplifts range between 2% to 10% but typically GCSE and A Level fees have increased by between 3.5% and 7.0%.
But we’ve not focussed on entry fees alone. We have also made the decision to markedly uplift the hourly rate we pay to our invigilators. Why? Because they are, without doubt, the engine oil of the examinations process. Without them, the examination โengineโ would simply seize up. We aspire to attract the best and most experienced invigilators ensuring our candidates receive a great examination experience. It is only right that we recognise and reward our invigilators with industry leading pay to reflect the crucial role they play in ours, and your, success.
And finally, we have reviewed the supplemental examination fees we charge, principally Post Results Service charges (i.e. requesting copy of scripts, review of marking etc). Having considered the heavy financial burden already placed on candidates/learners funding their own examinations, we want to significantly reduce the charges for anyone wishing to view their exam papers or challenge the grade they have received. Therefore, for all 2024/25 examination series, these fees will fall by between 25% and 50% when compared to current charges.
Whilst any increase in examination entry fees is regrettable, we trust you will understand why we have had to add a modest increase to ours. We will always endeavour to keep any fee increases to an absolute minimum. It not only ensures fairness, but it also maintains trust, and provides long-term value to our customers.