Examination Information

This is the most important information you will need to know regarding exams at Embassy International School.

Glossary of terms:

AQA: The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is an awarding body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It compiles specifications and holds examinations in various subjects at GCSE, AS and A Level. AQA is a registered charity and independent of the government.
They prepare the exams

JCQ: The Joint Council for Qualifications, (JCQ) is a council acting as a single voice for the seven largest qualification providers in the UK offering GCSE, GCE, Scottish Highers and vocationally related qualifications: AQA, CCEA, City & Guilds, Edexcel, OCR, SQA and WJEC.
The JCQ closely monitors examination administration, invigilation of exams at individual schools and activities of exams officers.
They set the rules for all exam boards and check a certain basic level is represented by all exam outcomes.

GCSE:
In the United Kingdom, and in many international schools around the world, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification, generally taken in a number of subjects by pupils in secondary education.
In our School GCSE examinations take place over a period of two academic years: Year 10 for the majority of students, with examinations being sat at the end of Year 11.

GCE: AS and A- level
The Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) serves as a qualification in its own right, and functioning as a precursor to the full Advanced Level. One academic year (Y12 or Y13).
The Advanced Level (A Level ) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the  General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification. Two academic years (Y12 and Y13).

Things to remember about the timetable:

  • Most of the exams have more than one part/paper.
  • Every specification has its own code, as well as every paper.
  • Every Candidate will be given a CANDIDATE NUMBER.
  • We can have written, spoken and practical parts of an exam.
  • Depending on the subject  some work is prepared earlier (“non-exam assessments” or “NEA”).
  • There are STRICT DEADLINES when it comes to non-exam assessments.
  • At Embassy we have internal deadlines, earlier than AQA ones. We have to assess some of these NEAs, and there can be other administration surrounding them which can take significant time.

Your examination officer at Embassy International School:
Eleonora Holub

If you are a parent, pupil or teacher with questions, please feel free to contact Emil at the email address below, or make an appointment during her office hours.

Email: exams@embassyschool.org

Centre number: 74577

Finally, there is a helpful resource online that might answer more questions:

AQA: https://www.aqa.org.uk/student-and-parent-support