SQA EXAMINATIONS & PRELIMS What you can do to make it easier. What will be asked of you. What rules there are. Paul Saxon Chief Invigilator

Preparing for your Examination So what can you do in advance? Check the timetable and note the times and dates into your calendar this will help you with your study plans. Make up an examination kit – pens, pencils, calculator, ruler, eraser and place all items in a clear case or plastic bag.

On the day Arrive at the school early at least 15 minutes before the start. Check the seating plan notices posted at the school entrance and outside the games hall and/or your examination room. Turn your phone off and place it in your locker along with any other prohibited item. Make sure your study notes are in your bag. Remove any labels on your bottled water. At SQA exam time make sure that you have your SCN card with you.

On entry to the examination hall or room Keep quiet there is no talking allowed in examination halls or rooms. Poor behaviour will not be tolerated. Be aware that there will already be people working (early starts). Place your bag on the floor at the front near to the row that you will be sitting in. Make sure AGAIN that you do not have any prohibited items on your person – phone, study notes, smart watch, calculator cover, other electronic device, or even a calculator/dictionary unless authorized. IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE ITEMS ON YOU RAISE YOUR HAND AND TELL US IT IS NOT TOO LATE AND WE WILL TAKE THEM FROM YOU.

Furthermore If you have a water bottle make sure it has no label and place it on the floor. Note the time on the wall clock and check it against your watch if you are using it for your timings. Listen to any announcements.. Check that you are sitting the correct examination. Write your name/candidate number and all the required information on your answer booklets.

Examination starts Read the instructions carefully take your time this is absolutely crucial. Pay particular attention to what you are being asked to do. Cross out any rough work that you do not want marked. Write between the margins – almost all examinations are now marked from image. Please note that there are no blank pages if it is supposed to be blank it will say BLANK PAGE. At the end of the question paper it will say END OF QUESTION PAPER if not turn over there may be more questions. If you need assistance for any reason raise your hand. Make sure your SCN number and personal details are on any additional answer books you use. Number your answer books so that the marker knows the sequence.

Examination end Remain seated and quiet as students with extra time will still be working. Listen to all the announcements that are made. Hand in all your answer booklets. Remain seated until you are told to go. Leave quietly.

Problems that may occur before the examination If you are unwell and cannot attend the examination tell the school ASAP. If you have an injury and can attend the examination but perhaps cannot write well or indeed write at all contact the school ASAP and other arrangements may be made. If you are going to be late contact the school ASAP.

Rules if you are late Ordinary examination – You can sit the examination if you arrive within 30 minutes of the start provided examination is at least an hour long. If less only 20 minutes allowed. Examination 2 parts or readings – only allowed in after first reading or first part is completed. Listening examination – if the examination involves the playing of a recording or a dictation you will not be admitted. THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT TO BEING LATE IS THAT YOU DO NOT RECEIVE ANY EXTRA TIME TO MAKE UP FOR THE TIME YOU HAVE LOST.

Problems that may occur during the examination If you are found to be in possession of any prohibited item such as your phone, study notes, an electronic device, smart watch, calculator cover or an unauthorized calculator or dictionary a report has to be submitted to the SQA regardless of whether you were found to be using the items to your advantage. If you are found to be cheating a report has to be submitted. THE IMPORTANT ISSUE WITH BOTH OF THE ABOVE CIRCUMSTANCES IS THAT THE SQA’S VIEW IS THAT YOU MAY HAVE BEEN USING THE ITEMS/AND OR CHEATING IN EXAMINATIONS THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY SAT THEREFORE THEY MAY ALSO BE DISCREDITED.

Continued Illness during examination – if you become faint or feel slightly unwell during examination you may leave the hall or room under supervision and can return once fit to do so. Under these circumstances all of the time lost will be given back to you. Fire alarm – In the event of a fire alarm the examination hall or room will be evacuated as normal. We will leave all personal possessions behind including the examination papers etc and we will assemble across from the school but away from other pupils. You will not be allowed to communicate with each other during this time and when safe to do so we will return to the examination hall/room. Under these circumstances all of the time lost will be given back to you.

What we can do and will do for you We will make sure that you have the same chance as anyone else to do well - that is the purpose of invigilation that no one has an advantage over anyone else through having extra equipment, notes, help or indeed through direct cheating. We will try and help you if we can and as some of you may be aware we do have an EMERGENCY box containing spare pens, pencils, erasers, rulers and tissues. Please note however that we do not have calculators and I would advise you to buy a new one or carry a spare so you are not caught out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO HAVE YOU OWN EQUIPMENT. During the examinations you will be given time warnings. We do this to help you and there is no requirement for it to be done. Normally it is given when there is 20, 10, and 5 minutes to go to the end of the examination.

Further help and advice There is a lot of information on the SQA website – sqa.org.uk. By accessing their website you can: Print the examination timetable or create your own by using the timetable builder. Create your own study plan. Receive study help through the study guide section. Access past papers. Sign up with MySQA so you can receive your results in the future by email or text.

Conclusion Next weeks prelims are an opportunity for you to see how far you have come with your studies to get a feel for the pressure and formality of what is to come next year when your examination results may determine your future career. Not everyone can get 9 A’s but by being prepared you can maximize your chances by getting the best grades and ultimately having more of a choice in the future. If you don’t remember anything about what I have said today try to remember these three things: Be prepared. Don’t be in possession of any unauthorized items when sitting your examinations. Remember invigilators are here to help. YOUR PARENTS WANT YOU TO DO WELL, THE SCHOOL WANTS YOU TO DO WELL AND THE INVIGILATION TEAM WANT YOU TO DO WELL. GOOD LUCK