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Examination

 

SUMMER GCSE AND A LEVEL EXAM SEASON 2024

The final timetable for summer 2024 is now available.  A summary of the examination dates is below.  Individual student timetables with exact seat arrangements will be issued in the Summer term once final entries have been confirmed with the examination boards.

Students are required to be available for the contingency day at the end of the examination series, which this year is Wednesday 26th June.  Should any examination not be able to run at a national level on a particular day it will be moved to this day.  Should this happen, students not available to sit the rescheduled examination will be awarded zero marks.

There are also two contingency afternoons, Thursday 6th June and Thursday 13th June, that all students must ensure they are available for.

Summer Exam Season 2024

 

 

Summer Exam Season 2024

AM (9 am start)

PM (13:30 start - early lunch at 12:45)

09 May

2024

GCSE

RE: Philosophy & Ethics

2 hours

Drama: Component 3

1 hr 30 mins

A Level

 

 

 

 

10 May

2024

GCSE

Biology Paper 1
Science Combined Biology 1

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 15 mins

Sociology Paper 1

1 hr 45 mins

A Level

 

 

 

 

13 May

2024

GCSE

English Literature Paper 1

1 hr 45 mins

 

 

A Level

 

 

 

 

14 May

2024

GCSE

 

 

Business Paper 1

1 hr 45 mins

A Level

Business Paper 1

2 hours

 

 

15 May

2024

GCSE

History Paper 1

1 hr 15 mins

Computer Science Paper 1

1 hr 30 mins

A Level

Economics Paper 1

2 hours

BTEC Sport:  Anatomy and Physiology

1 hr 30 mins

16 May

2024

GCSE

Mathematics Paper 1 (non-calc)

1 hr 30 mins

RE: Christianity

1 hour

A Level

Geography Paper 1

2 hrs 30 mins

 

 

17 May

2024

GCSE

Chemistry Paper 1
Science Combined Chemistry 1

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 15 mins

Geography Paper 1

1 hr 30 mins

A Level

Psychology Paper 1

2 hours

 

 

20 May

2024

GCSE

English Literature Paper 2

2 hrs 15 mins

 

 

A Level

Sociology Paper 1

2 hours

Economics Paper 2

 

21 May

2024

GCSE

 

 

Computer Science Paper 2
Sociology Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 45 mins

A Level

Business Paper 2

2 hours

Politics Paper 1

2 hours

22 May

2024

GCSE

Physics Paper 1
Science Combined Physics 1

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 15 mins

PE Paper 1

1 hr 30 mins

A Level

Psychology Paper 2

2 hours

Further Maths Paper 1

1 hr 30 mins

23 May

2024

GCSE

English Language Paper 1

1 hr 45 mins

 

 

A Level

History Paper1

2 hrs 15 mins

 

 

24 May

2024

GCSE

 

 

 

 

A Level

English Literature: Drama

2 hrs 15 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

03 June

2024

GCSE

Mathematics Paper 2 (calc)

1 hr 30 mins

PE Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins

A Level

Geography Paper 2

2 hrs 30 mins

Further Maths Paper 2
Psychology Paper 3

1 hr 30 mins
2 hours

04 June

2024

GCSE

Spanish Reading & Writing

(H) 1 hr 45 mins
(F) 1 hr 20 mins

History Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins

A Level

Sociology Paper 2

2 hours

Mathematics Pure 1

2 hours

05 June

2024

GCSE

Geography Paper 2

1 hr 30 mins

Business Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins

A Level

English Literature: Prose

1 hr 15 mins

Biology Paper 1
Politics Paper 2

2 hours
2 hours

06 June

2024

GCSE

English Language Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins

CONTINGENCY SESSION

 

A Level

Business Paper 3
Physics Paper 2

2 hours
2 hours

CONTINGENCY SESSION

 

07 June

2024

GCSE

RE: Islam

1 hour

Biology Paper 2
Science Combined Biology 2

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 15 mins

A Level

Economics Paper 3
Spanish Paper 1

2 hours
2 hrs 30 mins

Further Maths Mechanics
History Paper 2

1 hr 30 mins
1 hr 30 mins

10 June

2024

GCSE

Mathematics Paper 3 (calc)

1 hr 30 mins

Spanish Writing

Creative iMedia

(H) 1 hr 15 mins
(F) 1 hr
1 hr 30 mins

A Level

Chemistry Paper 1

1 hr 45 mins

Computer Science Paper 1

2 hrs 30 mins

11 June

2024

GCSE

Chemistry Paper 2
Science Combined Chemistry 2

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 15 mins

History Paper 3

1 hr 20 mins

A Level

 

 

Mathematics Pure 2
Sociology Paper 3

2 hours
2 hours

12 June

2024

GCSE

Dance

1 hr 30 mins

 

 

A Level

 

 

 

 

13 June

2024

GCSE

 

 

CONTINGENCY SESSION

 

A Level

 

 

CONTINGENCY SESSION

 

14 June

2024

GCSE

Geography Paper 3

1 hr 15 mins

Physics Paper 2
Science Combined Physics 2

1 hr 45 mins
1 hr 15 mins

A Level

Biology Paper 2
Politics Paper 3

2 hours
2 hours

 

 

17 June

2024

GCSE

 

 

Music

1 hr 30 mins

A Level

Physics Paper 3

2 hours

 

 

18 June

2024

GCSE

Design Technology

2 hours

 

 

A Level

Chemistry Paper 2

1 hr 45 mins

Computer Science Paper 2

2 hrs 30 mins

19 June

2024

GCSE

Food & Nutrition

1 hr 45 mins

 

 

A Level

Biology Paper 3

2 hours

 

 

20 June

2024

GCSE

 

 

 

 

A Level

 

 

Mathematics: Applied

2 hours

21 June

2024

GCSE

 

 

 

 

A Level

Chemistry Paper 3

2 hrs 30 mins

 

 

           

26 June

2024

 

CONTINGENCY SESSION

 

CONTINGENCY SESSION

 

 

Revising

There is no one way to revise as every pupil has their own learning style, however the following tips may help:

  • Ensure you fully understand what to revise. What topics do you need to understand? What does the exam specification say?
  • Manage your time. Planning to spend 4-5 hours on one topic is unrealistic. Create a suitable timetable which makes time for rest and other activities.
  • Check your understanding by practising exam style questions. Feedback from teachers is vital at this point, to see if you are on the right track.
  • Start revision early. Trying to cram a 2-year course into 6 weeks has never worked!
  • Find an appropriate environment. Some people work better alone and some work better in a group. Some people work better with music and other don’t. Find what’s best for you!
  • Set yourself revision goals. Aim to complete certain tasks every time you revise that way you will be able to monitor and track how much you have done/need to do.

 

The 9 BEST Scientific Study Tips How to revise for exams effectively
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p60rN9JEapg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrXMrH7E4Jw
How to study effectively with flashcards Revision techniques - the good, the OK and the useless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzCEJVtED0U https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22565912
Alternative ways to revise Cornell note taking
https://www.whatuni.com/advice/sixth-form-life/21-alternative-ways-to-revise/72112/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErSjc1PEGKE
BBC Bitesize Get Revising
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize  http://getrevising.co.uk
Revision World  
https://revisionworld.com/  

 

Useful revision links

Subject Website
English http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/0/
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z3kw2hv
http://www.grammarlady.com/
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/topics/zh8wxnb
Maths www.corbettmaths.com
www.onmaths.com
www.keshmaths.com
www.mathsgenie.com
Science Kerboodle – https://www.kerboodle.com/users/login

BBC Science Homepage – general science news  http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/

BBC Bitesize – general revision covering KS3-4  http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/

The Naked Scientist – a podcast by Cambridge University about news in sciencehttp://www.thenakedscientists.com/

How Stuff Works – explanations about how stuff works http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Popular Science – the magazine online http://www.popsci.com/

New Scientist – the magazine online http://www.newscientist.com/

Spanish Spanish News Site BBC Mundo Portada – http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/news/
GCSE Revision: BBC Bite Size Spanish – http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/spanish/
BBC Languages – www.bbc.co.uk/languages
Spanish Grammar and Practice: Real Spanish – http://www.realspanish.net/
Spanish Grammar and Practice: About Spanish – http://www.realfrench.net/
Spanish Grammar and Practice: Babel Zone – http://www.lcfclubs.com
French Grammar and Practice: About French
Spanish Grammar and Practice: Linguascope – http://linguascope.com
Geography https://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/geography/
http://www.acegeography.com/
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/zy3ptyc
History www.spartacus-educational.com,
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zk26n39
Computer Science https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z34k7ty
http://www.teach-ict.com/2016/GCSE_Computing/AQA_8520/aqa_8520_home.html
Music https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zpf3cdm
Business https://businessed.co.uk/index.php/home/theory/gcse/edexcel-gcse-9-1-theory-notes-public#1-1-enterprise-and-entrepreneurship

https://www.tutor2u.net/business

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zpsvr82

PE https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/ztrcg82

 

Past Papers for Revision

Revise and prepare for your exams by practicing past exam papers. Past papers are a handy way for you to check the level of questions you will need to answer in an exam and hence this makes them a great revision tool.

Past papers will not help you predict the questions or topics that are likely to come up in exams but you can use them to:

  • Assess whether you have learnt the material;
  • Identify gaps in your knowledge.

To access past papers to help with your revision, please click on the exam board links below:

  • AQA Exam Board Past Papers;

[https://www.aqa.org.uk/find-past-papers-and-mark-schemes]

  • Edexcel Exam Board Past Papers;

[https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/exams/past-papers.html]

  • OCR Exam Board Past Papers; 

[https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/past-paper-finder/]

  • EDUQAS Exam Board Past Papers. 

[https://www.eduqas.co.uk/home/past-papers/]

Subject Exam Boards - GCSE

GCSE
English Language

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700

AQA
English Literature

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702

AQA
Mathematics

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.html

EdExcel
Science Trilogy (Combined)

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/combined-science-trilogy-8464

AQA
Art & Design (Fine Art)

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206

AQA
Art & Design (Photography)

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206

AQA
Biology

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461

AQA
Business

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.html

EdExcel
Chemistry

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/chemistry-8462

AQA
Computer Science

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/gcse/computer-science-8520

AQA
Dance

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/gcse/dance-8236

AQA
Drama

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-gcse/#tab_overview

EDUQAS
Design & Technology

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-8552

AQA
Geography

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035

AQA
Food & Nutrition

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/food-preparation-and-nutrition-gcse/#tab_overview

EDUQAS
Health & Social Care (Cambridge National)

https://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/health-and-social-care-level-1-2-j801-j811/

OCR
History

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html

EdExcel
Creative iMedia (Cambridge National)

https://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/creative-imedia-level-1-2-award-certificate-j807-j817/

OCR
Music

https://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/music-j536-from-2016/

OCR
PE

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/physical-education-2016.html

EdExcel
Physics

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463

AQA
RE

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/religious-studies-gcse/#tab_overview

EDUQAS
Sociology

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/sociology/gcse/sociology-8192

AQA
Spanish

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/spanish-8698

AQA

Subject Exam Boards - A Level

A Level

Art & Design (Fine Art)

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/as-and-a-level/art-and-design

AQA

Biology B

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402

AQA

Business

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/business-2015.html

EdExcel

Chemistry

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/chemistry-2015.html

EdExcel

Computer Science

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science-and-it/as-and-a-level/computer-science-7516-7517

AQA

Drama & Theatre

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/drama-and-theatre-2016.html

EdExcel

Economics A

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/economics-a-2015.html

EdExcel

English Literature

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/english-literature-2015.html

EdExcel

Geography

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037

AQA

History

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/history-2015.html

EdExcel

Mathematics

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.html

EdExcel

Photograaphy

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/as-and-a-level/art-and-design

AQA

Physics

 https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/physics-7407-7408

AQA

Politics

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/politics-2017.html

EdExcel

Psychology

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology/as-and-a-level/psychology-7181-7182

AQA

Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)  

Sociology

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/sociology/as-and-a-level/sociology-7191-7192

AQA

Spanish

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/as-and-a-level/spanish-7692

AQA

Sport (BTEC)

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/sport-2016.html 

 

EdExcel

 

 

During the Examination Season

Before the Examination

Again, everyone has their own personal routines, but these tips could make the difference:

  • Ensure you know the correct time, date and venue of the exam
  • Prepare resources the night before (i.e. calculator, pen, pencil etc.)
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Have a good breakfast and stay hydrated
  • Don’t be put off by what others say.
  • Think positively; don’t underestimate yourself.
  • Visualise your revision material and remain calm.

During the Examination

It’s important to remain focused during an examination. If you have put in the hours preparing, then the exam is just a chance for you to showcase your talent!

  • Read the question carefully. Read it more than once and take time to think about your answer
  • Save time by not repeating the question.
  • Use the amount of marks to gauge how many points to make.
  • Understand the command words (describe, list, evaluate, explain etc.)
  • Re-read your answers and double check you have included everything.

After the examination:

Time to reflect on the exam and ask yourself the following questions:

  • What did you do well?
  • What have you learnt for the next examination?
  • What do you need to improve next time?

Coping with GCSEs and A Levels

  • The work you do now is extremely important.
  • Work hard now and you will be better prepared. Never settle for a first draft of work. You can always improve.
  • Complete all classwork and homework! Missing work could potentially cost you marks and that grade you want to achieve.
  • At the end of the day you study for yourself and your bright and wonderful future!

Planning a Successful Journey through Exams

  • Become familiar with the way that each exam course is taught.
  • Be clear about what is being examined and how.
  • Know when examinations are due to take place.
  • Look ahead and see how the programme being studied has been prepared.
  • Look ahead and anticipate times when work has to be complete and passed on for assessment.

When students receive a full examination timetable check the dates and add them to calendars and planners.