INSTRUCTIONS TO GCSE AND A LEVEL CANDIDATES 2025

The awarding bodies have collectively agreed a contingency day for several years now which is always scheduled at the end of the GCSE, GCE AS and A-level exam timetables.

The contingency day is in the event of national or significant local disruption to exams in the United Kingdom, being part of the awarding bodies’ standard contingency planning for exams.

The June 2026 contingency day is at the end of the timetable being scheduled on Wednesday 24 June 2026.  Students should factor in this date when making plans for the summer.

Exams begin as follows:

            MORNING:                             8.30 a.m.  (Candidates to be at School by 08.15 hr.)

            AFTERNOON:                       1.30 p.m.  (Candidates to be at School by 13.15 hr.)

Students should wait outside the venue of their exam (Big School, Room 11, History block or Music School). The venue is listed on the latest copy of the exam timetables.

If you have a problem or are ill or think that you might be late for an examination, telephone the School immediately.  Telephone 0118 901 5600.

When entering the examination room make sure you have all the necessary equipment you need including, when necessary, a calculator. Water bottles (clear with no label) are allowed to be taken into the exam.  Watches are also not allowed in the exam room. There are regulations regarding the use of calculators, about which your teachers will tell you. You MUST abide by these rules. All equipment must be taken into the examination room in a clear plastic container. You will not be permitted to borrow anything from another candidate once you are inside the examination room. When you are released at the end of the examination do not take any stationery, even scrap paper, with you.

Remember that in cases of cheating, the examination boards reserve the right to annul all of a candidate’s papers. NOTE you must not, under any circumstances, have a mobile telephone, iPod, MP3 player, watch or any other means of electronic communication in your possession in the examination room.

All school rules apply as normal. In particular please be aware that the Reading School Uniform Policy will be rigorously applied during the examination period. Any candidate not conforming to these rules will not be permitted to enter the examination room and will be sent to the Headmaster. 

Read carefully the INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES.

Miss E Povey

Exams Officer