Sitting the Examinations

You must be at the examination room at least 30 minutes before the start of an examination. Your seat number will be shown on a list outside the room, together with a seating plan. You should find your seat number before entering the examination room. You will be required to show an invigilator proof of your identity which includes a photograph - for example, a passport.

You will be allowed to enter the examination room 15 minutes before the start of an examination.

You must not take any books or sources of information, other than the permitted examination material, into the examination room. You will be disqualified if you are in possession of unauthorised material.

The times of examinations will be:

• 0930 - 1045 Core
• Break
• 1115 - 1300 Class Paper
• Lunch Break
• 1400 - 1545 Mode Paper

There will normally be one Chief Invigilator in every examination centre and one invigilator for every 20 candidates.

If you arrive late, you may not be permitted to enter the examination room - this will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of SQA. You cannot leave the examination room during the first 30 minutes of an examination, or during the last 15 minute, unless you are ill. If you leave because of illness, an invigilator must accompany you. You will be allowed to return to the examination room, provided you were supervised during your absence and your examination material remained in the examination room.

You will be given an examination booklet containg the questions and space for your answers. This booklet remains the property of SQA at all times.

An invigilator will read the following instrution before the examination:

• Personal belongings such as briefcases or handbags must be left at the front of the room.
• The use of calculators is not permitted.
• Mobile phones must be switched off.
• You must write in ink only.
• You must enter your name and seat number on the examination booklet, and sign it.
• No seperate time is set aside for the study of questions and you may begin writing immediately. However, you are advised to read through the examination paper before attemptin to answer the questions You are reminded that you may answer questions in any order. It is recommended that you attempt question that you feel are more straightforward first, so giving yourself the maximum time in which to tackle questions of which you feel less confident.
• During the examination you must not communicate with any other candidate; you must not copy from his or her booklet; you must not use any book or source of information on the subject of the examination at the time other that the permitted texts; you must not in any way infringe the conditions necessary for the honest and orderly conduct of the examination. You must only write in the examination booklet. You must not remove any sheets from the examination booklet. Breaches of these rules will be reported to SQA. SQA will then take such action as appears appropriate.
• SQA instructs its examiners to report to it any cause of suspected copying. If the evidence of copying appears indisputable, SQA will cancel ALL subjects of the candidate concerned.
• Candidates will be advised of the final 30, 15 and 5 minutes of the examination.
• No candidate may leave the examination room during the first 30 minutes or in the last 15 minutes.
• Candidates are only required to record references to the 2004 "Carriage of Dangerous Goods And Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations" where one has been specifically asked for in a reference box within the examination paper.
• Candidates are reminded that illegible handwriting may result in a loss of marks.

Invigilators can expel candidates from the examination room should serious disorder occur. The Chief Invigilator will report any incidents of irregular behaviour to SQA.

As we have said, SQA instructs its markers and invigilators to report any irregular behaviour. SQA may then cancel the papers of any candidate involved and may bar the candidate(s) from sitting the examinations again.

To ensure that examination conditions are uniform throughout all centres, no additional information or modification to an examination will be given to candidates without the authorisation of SQA.

An invigilator will open the sealed envelope(s) containg the examination booklets in the examination room in the prescence of candidates not more than 10 minutes before the examination start time.

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