FAQs

• Where is your examination centre based?

  We are based solely in Birmingham, (B11 1AR). 70% of our candidates live within a 40 mile radius of our centre, the remaining 30% coming from further afield to take advantage of the excellent assessment services we offer.

• What about exam centre transport links and parking?

  Our centre is located just 1.5 miles South-East of Birmingham city centre, close to major road networks and a (30 min walk/10 min cab ride) from Birmingham New Street. If you arrive at our centre by car, there is ample free parking available on-site although please note it is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Where can I find out further information regarding your exam centre location and amenities?

  Please visit our Centre Location website page for further information.

• Do I need to have achieved the GCSE to take the A Level?

  No. There are no pre-requisites to take any examination with us. However, you may wish to consider arranging some focused one-to-one tuition to consolidate the key GCSE skills required for the A-Level.

• I wish to take some academic qualifications. Which would you recommend?

  We do not recommend specific qualifications, or subject specifications where a subject is offered by multiple Awarding Organisations. That said, we’re more than happy to advise you on the options available to you. You can also view the options available to you by viewing our Fees List and clicking on the AO/subject specification number to view specific examination literature and support material

• Do you offer GCSE and A Level Modern Foreign Language oral examinations?

  We offer oral examinations for a wide range of GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level Modern Foreign Languages, including French, German and Spanish. For a full list of the subjects we can support, please view our Fees List.

  That said, if there is a language you would like us to assess that is not featured in our Fees List, please enquire, we may be able to arrange it for you.

• Are there any age restrictions for taking examinations at your centre?

  We support students of all ages. We have supported students as young as 10 and individuals in their 80’s. The only age restriction to note is for those candidates intending to sit GCSE English Language and/or GCSE Mathematics in the Autumn series. JCQ regulations stipulate they must be at least 16 years of age, on or before the 31st August, preceding the Autumn series they intend to sit.

• How do I register to sit my exams at your centre?

  You can book now, by simply completing our Online Booking Form. Our centre staff are available to help at every step in the process.

• How do I pay for my examinations?

  Within 24 hours of submitting your online application form we will issue an invoice which you can pay via bank transfer. We don’t offer structured payments plans, as such, but we do allow you to pay the amount owed over three instalments, where agreed beforehand.

• How many qualifications can I take at once?

  There are no restrictions on how many qualifications you can take in one examination series. However, please note, you are not able to sit the same qualification/subject with different Awarding Organisations within the same examination series ie AQA and OCR GCSE Mathematics in the same Summer series.

• When can I take my examinations?

  Exam availability is dependent on the qualification, subject and Awarding Organisation you choose. Please view Page 3 of our Fees List that includes a link to each Awarding Organisation exam timetable.

• Can I choose what day I take my examinations?

  No. Examination schedules are determined by Awarding Organisations and strictly controlled. Published exam dates must be adhered to by us, without exception.

• When will I receive my examination dates?

  You will receive a Statement of Entry listing your examination dates, as well as joining instructions with important exam information, typically six weeks prior to your first exam. This period may be reduced where exam entries are made after our entry deadline date.

• Do I need to attend all dates listed on my Statement of Entry?

  Absolutely! It is vitally important that you attend all examination dates listed on your Statement of Entry to ensure you receive the grade you deserve.

• What time do exams start?

  Unless specifically indicated, all morning examinations start at 09:30 and afternoon examinations start at 13.30. Joining instructions, issued to you along with your Statement of Entry, will clearly specify your exam start times.

• What if I have two examinations scheduled for the same time?

  If you have two or more papers timetabled for the same date/session, this is known as an ‘exam clash’. Don’t panic, it’s not uncommon and it’s something we are able to easily facilitate, providing all subject entries have been made with us.

  You’ll simply sit both papers within the same date/session with a rest period between each. However, please note you will have to be ‘supervised’ in between papers and will not have access to any electronic devices until all exams have been completed.

  If you have entered a subject with us and a subject with another centre, where exams clash, this will invariably involve a ‘transfer of paper’ from one centre to another. Regrettably tou will incur additional fees to organise this transfer.

• When do your Modern Foreign Language oral examinations take place?

  All GCSE, A Level, IGCSE, International A Level and International Advanced Level (IAL) oral examinations usually take place in April or early May, (i.e. prior to the written examinations in May/June). Oral exam dates will not be confirmed until early March and will not take place on any bank holiday or weekend dates in April.

  Candidates taking Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level or Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Foreign Languages in the October/November examination series will take their oral examinations in October, these dates will be confirmed in late-September.

  Pearson International Advanced Level (IAL) Foreign Language oral examinations, for the January series, will take place in the preceding December. Candidates will be notified of dates as soon as they become available.

• Do you provide predicted grades for a UCAS application?

  We can provide predicted grades if you complete mock examinations at our exam centre. View our Mock Exams website page for further information.

• How will I receive my exam results / when will I receive my certificate?

  All GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level results are supplied to you, via the email address supplied on your application form or by the organisation providing tuition who booked your exams with us. We will email you a Statement of Results, issued by each of the Awarding Organisation(s) you were entered with, on the published Results Publication day. You will be notified of your results publication date at the end of your examination series.

  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).

  What if you’ve moved since submitting your application and you forget to tell us? Don’t worry — we’ve got it covered! About four weeks before we send out certificates, we’ll email you to check that the address we hold is still correct. If you’ve moved, just reply to that email with your new address.

• I’m not happy with my grades, what can I do?

  It’s okay to feel disappointed if your results weren’t what you expected. You still have options. Take a look at our Post Results Services page to find out what you can do next — it’ll help you decide the best step forward for you.

• Why do I need to provide a photo and ID?

  It is a regulatory requirement that we can identify candidates that sit their exams with us. Your photo will be used to allow the centre staff to identify you.

  Your formal ID will be kept on file and will be required on the days you attend exams. View here for acceptable forms of identification.

• What if I have no photo ID?

  If you do not have photo ID, contact us and we will send you more information on how to proceed with your application.

• Why do you need all this information from me?

  All the information requested is required to process your application. The information required is either stipulated by the Awarding Organisation to process your entry, or a legal requirement for payment.

• I need to book a speaking test, what do I do?

  If the subject you have entered for requires a speaking test, we will be in touch to arrange one with you, unless you have specified that you are ‘carrying forward’ your speaking test from a previous sitting.

• I’ve changed my mind. Can I get my money back?

  Please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

• Where can I find past exam papers?

  Past Exam papers can be found on the respective Awarding Organisation website. To aid you, we have provided the links to all available Awarding Organisation past papers on our Past Papers website page.

• Do You Offer Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Levels (IAL?)

  Yes we do! However, Pearson insist that any learner wishing to sit these exams in the UK must meet strict entry criteria. These can be viewed on our International A Level Examinations website page, alongside other useful information.

• How Many Examination Series are Held Each Year?

  There are three; Autumn, Winter and Summer.

  Autumn Series (October & November): This series is for any candidate wishing to sit GCSE English Language or GCSE Mathematics. However, please note that candidates must be aged 16 or over, as at 31st August preceding the Autumn series, to qualify for entry to these two subject exams. Anybody younger will be barred from doing so by the Awarding Organisation.

  Selected Cambridge International IGCSEs and International A Levels subjects, as well as selected Pearson International GCSEs and International Advanced Levels (IALs) subjects, are also available in the Autumn series.

  Winter Series (January): A limited selection of Pearson IAL subject units are available in this series.

  Summer Series (April, May & June): All academic qualifications and subjects we offer are available in this examination series.

  Specific qualification and subject availability for each examination series can be viewed by selecting Awarding Organisation links featured on our Exams Timetable website page.

Let us know if we missed something!