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GCE/GCSE January Exam Series - Inclement Weather
15 January 2010
The January examination series lasts from 11 January to 5 February.
WJEC understands the difficulties centres may be experiencing due to the current adverse weather conditions. Together with other Awarding Bodies and the regulatory authorities in Wales (DCELLS) and England (Ofqual), we have given very careful consideration to options such as rescheduling. We have decided that exams should run to the current timetable for a number of reasons.
- if we had rescheduled examinations, the revised timetable might also be affected by bad weather
- it would be impossible to guarantee the integrity of the question papers by asking all examination centres to postpone, as just one situation where the exam went ahead because a message had not been received would mean that the confidentiality of the paper was destroyed
- modular courses mean that candidates have several opportunities during a typical two year course to sit an individual unit, and most candidates will have at least one further opportunity in May/June to take modules before they claim their subject award
- normal special consideration arrangements can be applied for those candidates claiming subject awards in January
- rescheduling examinations to February would eat into the preparation time for those candidates preparing for their May/June exams
We hope that our examination centres and candidates understand and support this difficult decision.
Where centres are affected by the adverse weather, WJEC’s advice is as follows:
- For centres which are able to remain open for the examinations, those candidates who are able to should take the examinations as normal. Where candidates are late arriving for any examination, the standard late arrivals procedures should be followed.
- Any candidate who is unable to sit an examination should sit the relevant unit(s) in the summer series. Special Consideration applications relating to the inclement weather may be made for any candidates who are "cashing in" awards at the January series, provided that the minimum requirements have been met.
- An application for special consideration may be made for any candidate who has been put under exceptional pressure by the circumstances of the examination
- Any centre which has been unable to arrange scheduled examinations, or where pupils have been unable to attend for examinations, is asked to advise mike.jermyn@wjec.co.uk as soon as possible.
You may find these further questions and answers for students and examination centres helpful.
(last updated:11/1/10)
Further information
Media enquiries:
Ceri Thomas, Marketing & Communications Manager
ceri.thomas@wjec.co.uk
Centre enquiries:
Mike Jermyn, Principal Manager, Examination Services
mike.jermyn@wjec.co.uk