Exams

Information for students and parents/ carers:

Examinations can be a stressful time for all of the family, not just the student actually taking the examination. In this section, you’ll find revision tips, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and all of the information relating to Wood Green Academy’s internal exam cycles for 2019-20.

Internal Exams 2019-20 are calendared for the dates shown below. These exams form an important part of the assessments we use to monitor progress as well as giving students the opportunity to experience sitting papers in full examination conditions. The results of these internal exams will inform staff of any interventions required to ensure further progress is made. It is critical that students prepare well for these exams so they can perform to their very best standard.

Getting Ready for Exams… 

1 – Get Organised
Start your revision early and make sure you know all the dates of your internal and external exams. Check for support sessions being held by your teachers – you can be sure there’ll be at least one for each department every week. Make sure you’ve got everything you need – textbooks, notes, past papers, pens etc – and log-on to the exam board website for even more information.
2 – Go Public
Make a revision timetable on a large piece of paper and post it up somewhere at home that everyone can see it. That way, everyone knows what you are meant to be studying and when. Strangely enough, letting other people know your plans actually lightens the load, because then it’s not just down to you to motivate yourself and you’ll have better chance of sticking to it.
3 – Turn off Technology!
You should unplug your computer or laptop, as it can be too tempting to go off roaming the wide, open spaces of Web-fordshire, instead of ploughing through Pythagorus’ Theorem. It is also important to turn off your mobile phone (one distraction too many). Of course, a ten minute ‘surfing’ break every now and then will help but be strict with yourself and go back to your revision.
4 – Come up with mnemonics
The word stands for Make Names Easily Memorable by Organising Nominated Initial Characters. The website Student UK suggests My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas as a way of remembering the nine planets in order of distance from the sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto). Try and come up with names or phrases that will help you – or ask your teacher to help you.
5 – Eat well
Take a leaf out of the top tennis players’ book and make use of this potassium-rich performance-enhancer to raise your energy levels. When Federer and Nadal need a lift, they don’t reach for a courtside cup of black coffee or can of energy drink, they dip into their kitbags and unzip a banana.
6 – Quality time
Ask friends over for a revision session. With things like dates and vocabulary, it’s always better if someone else is testing you, rather than you testing yourself (and peeking at the answers) – but make sure you stick to the subject!
7 – Watch TV
Of course, you shouldn’t try to learn the periodic table of chemical elements while watching a TOWIE special. But that doesn’t mean you can’t record a favourite programme and watch it as a treat, between your revision sessions.
8 – Keep Healthy
You can do all the revision in the world but if you fall asleep in the exam because your revision runs into the early hours, it’ll count for nothing! Eat well, exercise regularly and make sure you get enough sleep in the run up to your exams to give yourself the best possible chances to achieve your potential. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What do I do if I think I have the wrong paper?

• Teaching Staff will ask you to check before the exam starts. If you think something is wrong put your hand up and tell them immediately. If in doubt always check. 

1. What do I do if I forget my Candidate Number?

• Candidate numbers can be found on your timetables; it is important that you bring this to every exam. 

1. What do I do if I forget the school Centre Number?

• The Centre Number is 20675. It will be clearly displayed in every exam room. 

1. What do I do if I have an accident or I am ill before the exam?

• Inform the school at the earliest possible point so we can help or advise you. In extreme circumstances that may result in you being unable to write, it may be possible to provide you with a scribe/laptop but we will need as much prior notice as possible.
  You may need to obtain medical evidence (from your GP or hospital). 

1. What do I do if I feel ill during the exam?

• Put your hand up and a member of staff will assist you. You should inform a member of staff if you feel ill before or during an exam. 

1. If I am late for my exam, can I still sit the exam?

• Yes. It MAY still be possible for you to sit the exam. You should get to school as quickly as possible. 

1. Do I have to wear school uniform?

• Yes. Normal school rules apply to uniform, hair, jewellery, make-up etc. Spare uniform is available in school for anybody who does not have the correct uniform. 

1. What equipment should I bring for my exams?

• You should bring:
  o At least 2 pens (black ink only)
  o At least 2 pencils
  o A ruler
  o An eraser
  o A calculator (calculator lids must be removed before you enter the exam room) 

• All your equipment can be brought in a transparent pencil case or a clear bag.
  You are responsible for providing your own equipment for all exams. You must not attempt to borrow equipment from another candidate during the exam. 

1. What items are not allowed into the exam room?

• Mobile telephones, digital devices including digital wristwatches must not be brought into any exam venue, even if they are turned off. 
• No food is allowed in the exam venue. 
• Drinks are allowed in the exam venue, but the label must be removed from the bottle. No fizzy drinks are allowed. 

• Bags and coats have to be placed at the back of the exam venue; you must not take your bag or coat to your exam desk. 

1. What if I bring my mobile telephone into the exam room?

• Being in possession of a mobile telephone (or any other electronic communication device e.g. iPod, MP4 player, headphones) is regarded as cheating and is subject to severe penalty.
  If a mobile phone is detected either in your pocket or bag (even if it is switched off), it is still a breach of exam regulations and will be reported. 

1. How do I know how long the exam is?

• The length of the exam in shown in minutes on your individual timetable. Staff will tell you when to start and finish the exam. They will write the finish time of the exam on the board at the front of the exam room. There will be a clock in all exam rooms. 

1. Can I leave the exam early?

• No. It is a requirement that you stay for the full duration of the exam. It is not the school’s policy to allow candidates to leave the exam room early. 

1. What do I do if the fire alarm goes off?

• The Senior Teacher will tell you what to do. If you have to evacuate the room, leave everything on your desk and leave the room in silence. You MUST NOT attempt to communicate with other candidates during the evacuation. You will still be under exam conditions during the evacuation. 

1. Can I go to the toilet during the exam?

• If it is absolutely necessary, you will be escorted by a member of staff and will not be allowed any extra time. 

Revision 

How Can Parents Make A Difference?
Parental support is one of the most important factors in determining a child’s academic success and being involved in your child’s education can mean the difference between an 8 and a 9 at GCSE. The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert in any of the subjects your child chooses to make a real difference. You also don’t need to give up your life and other responsibilities – you just need to know how best to spend the time you do have. 

One of the hardest demands on students is that of understanding the long-term importance of doing the best they can. 

Children will also differ in their levels of maturity, their ability to take responsibility for their learning, organisational skills and levels of motivation. This is where parental support is invaluable. Your support, encouragement and interest can make a remarkable difference to your child’s motivation and ability to cope with the academic and organisational demands of the exam period. 

Keeping Motivation Up 

For Students 

• Don’t give up on things you find hard or dislike – talk to someone about any difficulties you are having – there is always a solution. 
• Revise your revision schedule if necessary and stick to it – even when you don’t feel like it. Don’t wait until you are in the mood – the further behind you get the less you will be in the mood (agree the schedule with your parents for a hassle-free life). 
• Resist the temptation to ‘bury your head in the sand’ if things are getting out of hand – talk to your parents/form tutor/teachers/Year Leader/Student Support Manager. 

• Ignore what friends and others are doing or saying – you are working for an easy life for YOU now and later – let your friends have the hassle of re-doing work or even the full GCSE. 

For Parents 

• Agree the balance between work and social life and stick to the agreement. Again, flexibility is the key – if a special night comes up, agree that they can make up the work at a specified time. 
• All students fall behind, feel demotivated or overwhelmed, or struggle with the balance of social, work and school demands at times. When your child feels like this, berating and threatening them will have a negative effect. Talk to them about the issues, acknowledge their feelings and adopt a sensible attitude in wanting to find a solution. 
• Be flexible – use the 80/20 rule. If your child is sticking to what they are supposed to be doing 80% of the time, they will be doing well. 

• If your child asks for your support, encourage them by helping them to see the difficulties in perspective. Teenagers often take an all or nothing ‘catastrophic’ approach to difficulties – “I’ve messed up this essay, I might as well give up”. 

Getting Ready For Revision 

For Students 

• Start revision early. The sooner you start the less you will have to do each day and the less stressed out you will be. 
• The most important thing is to make a realistic revision timetable that you will stick to. 

• Get one good revision book or aid for every subject. They do much of the initial work for you by breaking the subject down into ‘do-able’ chunks. 

Doing Revision 

• Go to all lessons and make them work for you – especially the ones you don’t like or find hard. 
• When your teachers tell you about exam technique – try them all out to see which one will work for you best (it might even be the one you thought wouldn’t work). The key thing is to reduce your notes to a single side of A3/A4 per topic area. 
• Match the revision notes you make to the sort of questions you will be asked. Get hold of old papers (ask teachers which websites to look at – they are also in your planner). 

• Have a clear goal for each revision period. For example – ‘at the end of these 2 hours I will be able to label a diagram of the heart and answer a question on how the heart works.’ 
• Have a start and finish time – and stick to it! 
• Get into the routine of following your revision plan – if you really don’t feel like it, tell yourself you will do 15 minutes and then decide whether to carry on. At least you will have done 15 minutes. Set your aim for the session and get right on with it – ignore the impulse to suddenly tidy your room for the first time in 3 years! 
• STOP and take a break if you are becoming frustrated, angry or overwhelmed. Put aside the problem. 
• Don’t waste time struggling – note down anything you are finding hard and take it to your next lesson. 

• DO NOT BE INFLUENCED BY FRIENDS WHO TALK ABOUT HOW LITTLE WORK THEY ARE DOING. Get you head down – your results don’t matter to your friends – but they are crucial to your future. Tell yourself it’s not for long! 
• Make yourself start no matter much you don’t want to – the hardest bit is over with then. 

Improving Your Chances Of Getting At Least a Grade 5 

There are a number of factors that cause students to lose marks in the exams. The factors below are often reported by examiners. You will also find them in revision books. Here is a list of factors that you need to be aware of and concentrate on: 

• Start in good time – leave it too late and you will start panicking. 

• Plan for half hour or, at most, one-hour slots. Nothing extra is likely to sink in if one subject is revised for much longer. 
• When revising during the evenings plan 1 or 2 subjects only. Leave some time for relaxation. 
• Allow some days off, but not in the few weeks just before the exams. 
• Plan to revise specific topics or aspects of a subject – for example, not just ‘Science’, but human systems, or waves, or chemical reactions or electricity. 
• Read through a topic and then make brief notes on cards which can be used for further revision later. 

• Use colours to highlight key works. 
• Work in small groups to discuss a topic. 

Key Tasks – The Day Before The Exam 

For Students 

• Make sure you know your timetable. 

• Get there early – only fools leave it too late and rush – catch the much earlier bus. 
• Allow time for your brain to wake up – have a shower, eat breakfast – take a banana with you. 
• Do a final check of the subjects you will be doing that day – know the structure and how many sections there are. 
• Make sure you have EVERYTHING you need and take spares – do not get into the stress of asking teachers for things you should have brought. 
• Take a pen you enjoy writing with – take 2 just in case!! 

During the Exam 

• Don’t forget that it is natural to be nervous. It actually gives your brain the extra adrenalin it needs to make the final effort. 
• If your mind goes blank, don’t worry. Look at the question again, write down some notes – it’ll get your brain ticking over again. 
• Don’t start writing until you know what the instructions are and you are ready to write sense.
  Make and keep to a time scale for each question depending on the number of marks (you will have done this in support sessions – stick to it). If you only have 3 minutes left for a question, write the answer in note form – the examiner may give you marks for it. 
• Allow a little bit of time at the end to check through your work to see if any changes need making. Examiners have said that this can make the difference between a higher and lower grade. 

On The Evening of The Exam -Parents 

• Please don’t add to the stress levels by ‘rising to the bait’ when your child pushes the boundaries. Shelve the battles that don’t need winning just yet. 
• Help prepare your child for the exam – talk with them about when it starts, how long it lasts for, what are the main topics that might come up. 
• Don’t ‘over egg’ this – they may have worked all day and have come down stairs to relax 

Do You Think You Have Left It Too Late To Revise? 

One of the biggest mistakes that students make is not allowing enough time for revision. This usually results in demotivation and the attitude that there is no point in doing anything as the task is too big 

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE UNTIL YOU ENTER THE EXAM ROOM – with revision a little knowledge is better than none at all and could make the difference between a pass and fail. 

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