BSB Information for Students 24-25

Purpose of this handbook

The purpose of this handbook is

• to answer questions candidates may have.

• to support information given to candidates in candidate briefings and form time

• to inform candidates about malpractice in examinations/assessments

• to inform candidates about the use of their personal data and copyright

• to ensure candidates are provided with all relevant information about their exams and assessments in advance of any exams/assessments being taken

• to ensure copies of relevant exam board documents are provided in advance of any exams/assessments being taken

• to inform candidates of/signpost candidates (and where relevant parents/carers) to any exams-related policies/procedures they need to be made aware of.

If, after reading this handbook, you have any questions, please speak to the Exams Team

• Alice Allsop Exams Officer

• Tony George, Director of Studies

• Ben Shuttleworth, Deputy Exams Officer

• Jason Porter, Head of Centre or email exams@britishschool.ro

Malpractice

To maintain the integrity of qualifications, strict regulations are in place. Malpractice means any act or practice which is in breach of the regulations.

Candidates should not become involved with any unfair or dishonest practice. If anyone tries to cheat or break the rules in any way, they could be disqualified from all of their exams.

Any alleged, suspected or actual incidents of malpractice will be investigated and reported to the relevant awarding body/ bodies. The following are some examples of malpractice:

• Bringing unauthorised material into the examination room

• Not being in examination conditions when in the exam room

• Exchanging, obtaining, receiving, or passing on information which could be examination related (or the attempt to)

• Copying, attempting to copy, or sharing candidate work in examinations/assessments

• Undermining the integrity of examinations/assessments

Candidates should read the Information for Candidates documents referred to in the appendix and should speak to the Exams Team or the invigilator if they are unsure.

Please note the following things you should not to do on social media:

• Buy/ask for/share exam or assessment content

• Pass on rumours of what’s in exams or assessments

• Share your work (from examinations/assessments or coursework)

• Work with others so that your assessment is not your own independent work

When completing non-examination assessments and coursework, if you copy the words, ideas or outputs of others and do not show your sources in references and a bibliography, this will be considered as cheating (malpractice). In addition, plagiarism involves taking someone else’s words, thoughts, ideas or outputs and trying to pass them off as your own. It is a form of cheating (malpractice) which is taken very seriously. For example, when researching and using references, where computer-generated content has been used (such as an AI Chatbot), your reference must show the name of the AI bot used and should show the date the content was generated. For example: ChatGPT 3.5 (https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/), 25/01/2025. You must submit a copy of the computer-generated content with your work for reference and authentication purposes.

Personal data

The school registration file includes reference to sharing of personal data with exam boards. Candidates need to be aware of the exam board Data Protection and Privacy Policies. They can be found here: Edexcel / Pearson

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/privacy-policy.html

Cambridge International

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/privacy-and-legal/data-protection-and-privacy/candidate-privacy-policy/

The centre will provide relevant personal data including name, date of birth, gender to the awarding bodies for the purpose of examining and awarding qualifications.

Materials which are submitted by candidates for assessment may include any form of written work, audio and visual materials, computer programmes and data (“Student Materials”). Awarding bodies may use the Student Materials to evaluate candidates’ performance in the relevant assessment. They may also use the Student Materials for other purposes as outlined in their privacy policies and in accordance with their terms. Candidates should be directed to the relevant awarding body’s privacy notice if they require further information about how their Student Materials may be used by the awarding body. Any person involved in completing examinations/assessments where malpractice is suspected, or alleged, personal data about them will be provided to the awarding body (or bodies) whose examinations/assessments are involved. Personal data about them may also be shared with other awarding bodies, the qualifications regulator or professional bodies.

Copyright

Candidates may access Student Materials (including examination scripts) through the Access to Scripts service outlined in the Post-Results Services section of this document.

Coursework assessments/non-examination assessments

A coursework/non-examination assessment briefing is held by the Exams Team in the autumn term, for all students in Year 10, all students in Year 11 and students taking subjects with a coursework / non-examination assessment component in Years 12 and 13. The briefing covers

• Relevant JCQ information for candidates’ documents - coursework, non-examination assessments, social media

• The use of AI (e.g. what it is, the risks of using it, what AI misuse is, how this will be treated as malpractice, when it may be used and how it should be acknowledged)

• Any relevant deadlines that must be met (dependent on the assessment type)

• How work is internally marked/assessed, and which work will be externally marked/assessed

• How and when candidates are informed of their centre assessed marks and the procedure for requesting a review of the centre assessed marks

A copy of the briefing is emailed to parents and posted on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom. Details of the relevant JCQ documents are provided in the Appendix.

Written timetabled exams

All students will be given a Statement of Entry to check for each exam period. Every candidate will be asked to sign to confirm that their personal details and their exam entries are correct. If a candidate finds any details are incorrect or missing, they must alert the Exams Officer as soon as possible.

Candidates will then be given a personalised timetable which will include details of all written timetabled examinations. The timetable will include the date, start time, room and name of each exam, as well as the seat that the candidate has been allocated.

If a candidate finds any details are incorrect or missing, they must alert the Exams Officer as soon as possible. When reading their timetable, candidates should also note any ‘clash’ exams that they have and make sure that they understand how these will be resolved.

It is important to note that the meeting point before all exams is the Crawford Library, 15 minutes before the published start time. A register will be taken, and absent candidates will be noted.

Candidates will be informed of the final timetable and all regulations regarding external written examinations in a compulsory briefing before each exam series. The briefing will also cover emergency evacuation and contingency planning, malpractice and what to do if you are unwell. A copy of the briefing is emailed to parents and posted on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom.

Details of the relevant JCQ documents are provided in the Appendix.

Contingency sessions - Summer 2025

Candidates must be available on the following, exam board designated, ‘contingency days’: Wednesday 11th June (PM) Wednesday 25th June (AM and PM). The exam board may use these exam sessions in the event of significant local disruption to examinations.

On-screen tests

Candidates taking an on-screen test as part of their award must be aware of the information to Candidates documents in the appendix.

What to do if you identify you have two or more exam papers timetabled at the same time (a timetable clash)

If you have two or more exam papers timetabled at the same time, please alert the Exams Officer. Your timetable should show how any timetable clash is being resolved; for example, which exam will be taken first, at what time your exams will start and what will happen in between exams. If you are unsure, please speak to the Exams Officer.

Depending on your circumstances and the exam board regulations you may take both papers with a short (maximum 20 minute) supervised break in between the two exams. In this case, exam conditions will be in place at all times.

In some circumstances you may take one paper in an earlier or later session that day. In this case, you will be under Full Centre Supervision between your two exams. During Full Centre Supervision you will be supervised by an invigilator and you will not leave the exam room. However, you will be permitted to bring food and drink into the exam room (in transparent containers) as well as revision notes that can be accessed between exams only. You will not be permitted to leave the exam room, to speak to anyone outside of the exam room or to have access to any electronic device.

In some circumstances, we may need to discuss the option of overnight supervision with the exam board, your family and the Head of Centre.

Where you will take your exams

Typically, external exams will take place in the Mirror Room. Some external exams will take place in the top floor of Crawford in C203, C207 or C201. Your exam timetable will state the room your exam is in.

The meeting point before all exams is the Crawford Library, 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of your exam.

What time your exams will start and finish

Typically, exams will start at these times, but you should always check your exam timetable to be sure of the start time of your exams.

IAL exams will start at 8.30am (AM exams) or 12.15pm (PM exams)

All other exams will start at 11am (AM exams) or 2.30pm (PM exams)

The end time of exams will be according to the length of the exam. Candidate cannot leave the exam room before the end of the exam.

Please note that for Cambridge exams you must be in the exam room at 12 noon (AM exams) or 4pm (PM exams).

Supervision during your exams

All exams are supervised by trained invigilators, with the support of the Exams Officer, Deputy Exams Officer and Director of Studies.

Exam room conditions

Candidates will always be escorted to and into the exam room by the Exams Team. Exam conditions start from when a candidate enters the exam room and end when a candidate leaves.

Candidates must listen to and follow the instructions of the invigilator at all times in the exam room

Candidates must not communicate with or disturb other candidates. Any breach of exam conditions will be reported to the exam board.

At the front of the exam room, the following information will be displayed; centre number, subject title, paper number and the actual starting and finishing times, and date, of each exam. A clock will be visible to all candidates showing the actual time.

Candidates should only complete the details on the front of their answer booklet (first name and surname and candidate number) when instructed to do so by the invigilator.

Candidates cannot open any exam materials, or start writing, until they are instructed to do so by the invigilator. Candidates musty write in the designated sections of the answer booklet. Rough work may be crossed out with a single, neat line. Correcting pens, fluid and tape are not permitted.

If a candidate needs an additional answer sheets/answer book, then they should put up their hand to attract the invigilator’s attention. Candidates must add their candidate details to any additional answer sheets that they use, including those used for rough work. All paper written on must be sent to the exam board.

Bathroom breaks are not permitted in the first 45 minutes and last 15 minutes of an exam. If a candidate wishes to use the bathroom, they must put up their hand to attract the invigilator’s attention and then wait until they can be accompanied to the bathroom.

If a candidate leaves the exam room unaccompanied, then they are not allowed to re-enter the exam room.

Candidates may only leave the exam room when dismissed by a member of the Exams Team.

Where you will sit in the exam room

You seat number is indicated on your timetable. Seat A5, for example, is in the first row (A), fifth seat from the front. Each desk will have a candidate card on it that contains the candidate name, candidate number and a recent photograph. Candidates should enter the exam room in exam conditions and find their seat in silence.

If you cannot find your seat – speak only to an invigilator.

Candidates must always sit facing the front when they are in the exam room.

How your identity is confirmed in the exam room

Your identity will be confirmed by the Exams Team or other senior school leader, before you are allowed to enter the exam room when a register is taken at the meeting point in the Crawford Library, 15 minutes before the published started time of the exam.

When you enter the exam room, you must sit at your desk which will have your candidate card on it. The invigilator will use the candidate card to again verify your identify.

What equipment you need to bring to your exams

Candidates are responsible for bringing the equipment they need for each exam. Typically, this will include black pen(s), pencil(s) a ruler and a rubber. Erasable pens are not permitted.

You may bring highlighters to use on the question paper only (not in your answer), a protractor and compass and a calculator depending on the requirements of the exam.

You can bring your equipment in a see-through pencil case / bag.

Please note that candidates cannot share equipment and the invigilator might not have any ‘spare’ equipment for candidates to borrow.

Using calculators

You may use a calculator unless you are told otherwise. Calculators must meet the exam board regulations – if you are unsure, please speak to the Exams Officer, Head of the Math’s Faculty or the invigilator. If you use a calculator:

(a) make sure it works properly; check that the batteries are working properly;

(b) clear anything stored in it (you must know how to do this for your own calculator. If you cannot show the invigilator that the memory is clear then you may not be able to use the calculator);

(d) do not bring into the exam room any operating instructions or prepared programs.You must bring your own calculator. Candidates cannot share calculators and the invigilator might not have a ‘spare calculator’ for you to borrow.

What you must not bring into the exam room

You must not bring notes, books or paper into the exam room. You must not bring a watch or mobile phone into the exam room. You must not bring any potential technological/web enabled source of information, for example no AirPods, earphones/ earbuds, iPods, MP3/4 players or similar devices, smart glasses or any other smart devices.

Possession of unauthorised items is breaking the rules, even if you do not intend to use them.

Food and drink in exam rooms

Candidates may bring water in a transparent bottle into the exam room. There must be no labels or writing on the bottle, and it should be placed on the floor beside your desk (to avoid spillages).

What you should wear for your exams

All usual uniform expectations apply for exams. No outdoor jackets can be brought into the exam room.

Where your personal belongings will be stored during your exam

Candidates cannot bring bags into the exam room.

All personal belongings must be stored in a locker or the Sixth Form Common Room.

What to do if you arrive late for your exam

All candidates will be registered 15 minutes before the published start time for their exam. The meeting point for this registration is Crawford Library. You should do everything you can to arrive on time for all of your exams.

If you are running late for an exam, please contact the school Office 0212 678 919 and office@britishschool.ro to give them an estimated time of arrival.

When you arrive on campus, please present yourself to the school Office. Someone will then make sure that you are OK and will escort you into the exam room.

Typically, late candidates are allowed the full time for the exam, but in some cases a late candidate may not be allowed to sit the exam paper. However, depending on how late a candidate is, the school might need to inform the exam board of the time of arrival and reason for the lateness. In some cases, the exam board might not accept the exam paper.

What to do if you are unwell on the day of your exam

If you are unwell on the day of the exam and are unable to attend school to take the exam, please contact the school Office office@britishschool.ro and the Exams Team exams@britishschool.ro to let us know not to expect you. You will be marked absent on the attendance register.

It might be possible to apply for Special Considerations (absent with good reason) with the exam board. To support an application, you need to provide a translated medical letter (or equivalent) and an explanation of why you were absent. Please speak to the Exams Officer to discuss your particular circumstances.

If you are unwell on the day of the exam, but are able to still take the exam, please contact the Exams Officer exams@ britishschool.ro so that we are aware of any additional needs you might have, for example need to bring medication into the exam room, need to visit the bathroom.

Similarly, you might find that you start to feel unwell during an exam. In this case, please put up your hand to inform the invigilator. An invigilator may be able to accompany you to the bathroom or the school nurse, for example. It might be possible to apply for Special Considerations (present but disadvantaged) with the exam board. In order to support an application, the invigilator will write in the Incident Log any information you provided them you need to provide a translated medical letter (or equivalent) and an explanation of why you were absent. Please speak to the Exams Officer to discuss your particular circumstances.

What happens if you have an unauthorised absence from your exam

If a candidate does not attend an exam, then they are marked absent on the attendance register that is sent to the exam board.

What happens in the event of an emergency in the exam room

If there is an emergency during an exam, an alarm will sound in accordance with school policy. Candidates should remain in exam conditions and follow the instructions of the invigilator. Candidates should stop writing and close their answer booklet. When evacuating the exam room, candidates should leave all belongings in the exam room, including their closed exam paper.

The invigilator will direct candidates to evacuate from the exam room in silence and maintaining exam conditions. The meeting point for evacuation during an examination is the Front Field. This is different from the usual meeting point so that candidates remain isolated as the examination may resume after evacuation.

Candidates with access arrangements/reasonable adjustments

Any access arrangements for a candidate will have been agreed in advance with the SENCO and will reflect the normal way of working for a candidate. If a candidate is unsure about what access arrangements have been approved by the exam board for them, then they should speak to the SENCO and Exams Team well in advance of the exam period.

All candidates must be present at the Registration Point 15 minutes before the published start time of their exam, even in cases where an access arrangement has a separate rooming requirement.

Candidates who use a word processor are required to follow the invigilators instructions at the end of the examination so that they can verify their printed work.

Results

The exact date and time results will be released will be confirm for each exam series. It is possible to arrange to come into school and collect your results. Please email Miss Millward if you would like to do this.

For Edexcel results:

You will need access to your school @bsbonline.net email account to access your Edexcel results from the ResultsPlus website https://www.resultsplusdirect.co.uk/students/login.html

For students new to ResultsPlus: You will have received an email to your @bsbonline.net account and must activate your account.

For students who have used ResultsPlus before: Don’t get locked out – just click forgotten password!

For Cambridge results:

You will receive a results information sheet with a unique username and password. A digital copy of this PDF will be sent to your school email address. KEEP THE INFORMATION SAFE!

When results are released, we want to focus on supporting students with queries NOT unlocking accounts or emailing you information that has already been sent.

Post-results services

The exam boards offer the following post-results services

• Clerical recount – they will check your marks were added up correctly

• Review of Marking – the marking with be reviewed You should discuss your results with the Results Day Team (Ms Millward, Mr Walters, Mr George and Mr Porter) before making an application for a post-results service.

For Edexcel exams it is possible to request a PDF copy of your script which can be useful when deciding whether to request a review. Candidates must complete the Access to Scripts form to request this https://forms.gle/7iPV22MKvi3T8niE8

To request a Post-Results Service, you must complete https://forms.gle/P2kGeRaUX3Vryh678 Please complete one form per subject, but do ensure that you state all the papers you require to be reviewed within that subject.

The cost of Post-Results Services can be found in the Exams at BSB booklet https://issuu.com/britishschoolofbucharest/docs/ exams_at_bsb

The outcome letter for Post-Results Services will be sent to your school email address (or the email address you provided as an alumni).

Be aware that priority will be given to students with university places at risk.

Certificates

Certificates arrive in school a few months after results are published. Candidates who are enrolled at the school will be informed in Daily Notices. Alumni and external entries will be informed by email. An email will also be sent to parents of all candidates.

Students enrolled at the school will collect and sign for their certificates from the Exams Officer. Alumni and external entries can collect their certificates in person from the school Office. Alumni and external entries may give written permission for someone else to collect their certificates for them. This written permission and photographic ID is required for anyone collecting certificates who is not the candidate themselves. It is possible to arrange DHL delivery of exam certificates. In this case, please email the school Office office@britishschool. ro to obtain a quote.

Internal appeals procedure

The internal appeals procedure relating to exams can be found as part of the school’s Exam Policy in the Parent Portal. It is also available from the school Office.

Complaints policy

The school’s complaints policy can be found on the school website. The school’s Exam Policy in the Parent Portal. It is also available from the school Office.

APPENDIX 1 JCQ Information for candidates - coursework

You will find the JCQ document Information for Candidates – coursework and the Cambridge publication Information for Candidates on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom and on the school website here https://britishschool.ro/secondary-school/exams-at-bsb/

You must read this information if you are undertaking qualifications that contain elements of coursework assessment.

APPENDIX 2 JCQ Information for candidates – non-examination assessments

You will find the JCQ document Information for Candidates – non-examination assessment and the Cambridge publication Information for Candidates on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom and on the school website here https://britishschool.ro/ secondary-school/exams-at-bsb/

You must read this information if you are undertaking qualifications that contain elements of non-examination assessment.

APPENDIX 3 JCQ Information for candidates – on-screen tests

You will find the JCQ document Information for Candidates – on-screen tests and the Cambridge publication Information for Candidates on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom and on the school website here https://britishschool.ro/secondary-school/exams-at-bsb/ You must read this information if you are undertaking qualifications that include on-screen assessment.

APPENDIX 4 JCQ Information for candidates – written exams

You will find the JCQ document Information for Candidates – written examinations and the Cambridge publication Information for Candidates on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom and on the school website here https://britishschool.ro/ secondary-school/exams-at-bsb/

You must read this information if you are undertaking qualifications that have written examinations.

APPENDIX 5 JCQ Information for candidates – social media

You must read this information to help you stay within examination/assessment regulations when using social media. You will find the JCQ document Information for Candidates – using social medica and examinations/assessments and the Cambridge publication Information for Candidates on the Exams@BSB Google Classroom and on the school website here https://britishschool.ro/secondary-school/exams-at-bsb/

BSB Information for Students 24-25

EXAM HANDBOOK for candidates

2024 - 2025 BSB

CANDIDATE CONFIRMATION

Introduction