GCSE & Exams Information
Summer 2022 Exam Timetable
Support for students taking exams and formal assessments in 2022
OFQUAL understand that students taking exams and assessments this year have been affected by the pandemic. That is why they have made changes to the arrangements for exams and formal assessments.
The support that has been put in place is designed to be appropriate for the particular qualifications you are taking.
Exam boards have published advance information about the exams to help you focus your revision.
Students will be assessed on less content this year in GCSEs in English literature, history, and geography. Therefore, there is no advance information for these GCSE subjects. There is advance information for all other GCSE subjects.
There is a subject by subject guide to all the changes here. Some of the changes are explained below:
GCSE mathematics: you will be given a sheet in the exams showing the formulae you might need to use so you don’t have to memorise as much.
GCSE physics or combined science: you will be given a sheet in the exams showing the equations you might need to use so you don’t have to memorise as much.
You can see what these formulae and equation sheets will look like on the exam boards’ public websites.
Science subjects: Teachers have been allowed to be more flexible in the ways they teach practical skills.
Subjects with non-exam assessment (for example, design and technology, drama, hospitality and catering, music and PE)
Changes have been made so the assessments could be completed despite restrictions caused by the pandemic.
GCSE art and design: you will be assessed on your portfolio only – you will not need to complete a task set by the exam board.
What you should know before your exams and formal assessments
For many of you 2022 will be the first time you are taking formal exams and assessments, and so you may not be familiar with what happens.
We will enter you for the exams and assessments for the qualifications you are taking. If you’re not sure exactly which qualifications you are entered for, or with which exam board or awarding organisation, you should check this with your teacher.
Some GCSE subjects have different tiers of entry (foundation or higher). The subjects with tiers of entry are:
- maths
- combined science
- physics
- chemistry
- biology
- modern foreign languages
Your teacher will decide whether to enter you for foundation or higher tier.
foundation tier: students may be awarded grades 5 to 1 (5-5 to 1-1 in combined science)
higher tier: students may be awarded grades 9 to 4 (9-9 to 4-4 in combined science). Students who just miss a grade 4 (4-4 for combined science) may be awarded a grade 3 (4-3 for combined science)
Before your exams you should make sure you know which tier you have been entered for so that you can prepare for, and sit, the correct exam paper.
If you are taking vocational and technical qualifications, your teacher will tell you how and when you will be assessed for your qualification, including any adaptations that have been put in place by your awarding organisation.
Help and Support for Students taking exams
OFQUAL (the government Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) have provided a collection of resources, links and documents aimed to help students prepare for their exams and formal assessments.
Coping with exam pressure – a guide for students
Resources to help students prepare for exams and assessments
Subject-by-subject support for GCSE students
Frequently Asked Questions (for Students)
Exam Equipment Checklist
Students MUST have a clear pencil case or clear plastic bag containing ALL the following items:
☑ 2 pens
☑ 2 pencils
☑ rubber
☑ ruler
☑ sharpener
☑ compass
☑ protractor
☑ scientific calculator
☑ colouring pencils
Coping with exam pressure
How to create the perfect revision plan
The button below links to an article on the Telegraph website provides top tips for creating a well-structured and comprehensive revision plan which, if adhered to, will provide the best chance of success in the summer.
Links to exam boards
GCSEPod makes learning and revision much more manageable: every Pod is mapped to an exam board, and contains all the right facts, quotes, keywords, dates and annotated diagrams that you need for GCSE success – all neatly organised into topics and exam playlists.
You have already been registered with GCSEPod, so all you to do is activate your account by following the instructions below:
- Go to www.gcsepod.com and click “Login” in the top right-hand corner
- Click the button which says ‘Sign in with Office 365’
- On the next page, again click the button which says ‘Sign in with Office 365’
- Enter your school email address and password
Once logged in, you are able to watch and download any Pods for your subjects.
GCSEPod Mobile App Instructions:
Please note, to login to the mobile app you need to use the following details:
Username: your school email address e.g. harrypotter@tottington.shaw-education.org.uk
Password: your date of birth in the format DDMMYYYY
Related News
.png){kind=logo}
.png)
