exam
process
Whilst the examination process, Registration to Certification, is well known to arc exams staff, it is likely to be unfamiliar to many of you seeking to sit formal examinations for the very first time. We hope to demystify the process somewhat by presenting the infographic below. It highlights the key stages in the examination process, guiding you from your initial enquiry/application to certification. If, at any time, you have questions relating to the process feel free to email us at [email protected] Alternatively pick up the phone and call us on 0121 777 9444. We’d love to hear from you!
The first step in the process is to complete our online application form. We require personal details of the person sitting the exams (full name, address, gender, date of birth, photo id etc) along with details of the subject examination(s) they wish to sit with us (Awarding Organisation, subject and specification code, including tier/option where applicable). Applicants will also have to opportunity to specify any Access Arrangements they wish to apply for and to make additional notes.
The application form will summarise the cost of entry for the assessment(s) you are entering for, automatically applying late fees where entry deadline dates have been missed, and invite you to read our Terms & Conditions and confirm that you have done so and agree to them.
You will receive an email confirming your booking and detailing the examinations you have applied to sit with us. We will review your application and contact you in the event of a query. Within 24 hours of form submission, you will receive an invoice, via the email provided on the application form, requesting payment for all examination entries you have applied to sit with us.
Payment is required within 30 days, or sooner if your application is close to entry deadlines. Please note, entries will not be formally submitted to the Awarding Organisation(s) until payment has been received in full.
Exams days are prepared months in advance, taking into account a multitude of factors ie daily candidate entry volumes, room allocations, seating plans, transfers in/out, exams clashes, Access Arrangements etc. To ensure we provide you with the very latest information, examination timetables (Statement of Entry Notification) are typically created and issued to you no earlier than six weeks prior to your first examination, along with joining instructions.
Examination Timetables – Shows the date and session (Morning or Afternoon) for each written examination paper you will sit for every qualification/subject you are entered for.
Joining Instructions – detailing centre location, when to arrive, what to expect on the day, what is/isn’t allowed in the exam room, and links to JCQ and Cambridge International instructions regarding examination protocols, expected behaviour and malpractice.
All of this information and any other required communication, including provisional results (typically issued two months after the exam season), will be via the email address supplied to us on your online application form.
On the day of each exam you are sitting, as specified on the examination timetable issued to you, we would kindly request that you arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled examination start time.
Unlike some private examination centres who use ‘alternate’ sites, all arc exams examinations are conducted within one single location having capacity to accommodate upwards of 250 candidates on any given exam date/session.
We request that candidates do not bring anything other than the equipment they need for their exams, we are not responsible for storing your personal belongings and you may have to leave them in unattended areas of the buildings.
Whilst mobile phones are strictly prohibited from the examination room we appreciate many of you will arrive at centre with one. They must be stowed away where possible or left with an arc exams member of staff. However, candidates handing in mobile phones, or any other prohibited items, do so at their own risk.
When you arrive at centre please make yourself known to the member of staff greeting/registering candidates. Remember, you will have to produce photo ID so we can ensure that the person presenting themselves for exams is the person they claim to be
Shortly after the final examination day of the exam series has taken place, we will send you a pdf document, via email, explaining the Post Results Service (JCQ) / Enquiry About Results service (Cambridge International) offered by Awarding Organisations. These explain the results and appeals process in the event you are dissatisfied with the grade/mark you have been awarded.
Awarding Organisations issue provisional results for each examination series on prescribed dates, typically two months after the final examination has taken place. During this time papers are marked, moderated and grades awarded. Upon receipt of results arc exams will notify you of your grades, electronically via email, by 09:00 on the stipulated date for results release. Please note we are unable to disclose results/grades over the telephone due to GDPR compliance.
Awarding Organisations issue certificates directly to examination centres, not candidates, some 12 weeks or so after results/grades have been finalised. Unless you have notified us otherwise, your certificates will be despatched to the address specified on your exam application form, via Royal Mail Tracked 48 Service (not signed for).