Exam start time flexibility
Normally, centres must strictly adhere to the official start time of exams. However, to meet the needs of varying local circumstances, your head of centre has flexibility to advance or delay the start time of exams by up to a maximum of 30 minutes from the time specified in the exam timetable.
Adjusting the start time of exams with a duration of less than one hour
For exams of less than one hour in duration, this flexibility could compromise the confidentiality of the question paper if candidates were to leave the exam room before other candidates have started the exam.
If your centre chooses to advance or delay the start time of an exam that has a duration of less than one hour, all of the following arrangements must be put in place:
- Candidates must be supervised during breaks between papers.
- Candidates must remain in the exam room for the entire exam.
- When advancing the start time, candidates must be supervised until 30 minutes after the official start time of the exam.
Your centre is responsible for ensuring that, during any period of supervision, candidates have no access to the internet, phones or any other electronic devices.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Assessment Arrangements team at aarequests@sqa.org.uk.