Important JCQ Exam Information
If you are taking exams or completing coursework, non-exam assessments or vocational unit assessment in the academic year 2025-2026, please find links below to important exam information that you must be aware of alongside the Examination Governing Body (JCQ) rules and regulations.
Please read these documents carefully so you are fully prepared for your exams and non-exam assessments.
- Important Exam Information for Students 25-26
- JCQ: Unauthorised Items Poster
- JCQ: Warning to Candidates Poster
- JCQ: Preparing to sit your Exams
- Information for Candidates: Written Examinations 25-26
- Information for Candidates: On-Screen Tests 25-26
- Information for Candidates: Coursework 25-26
- Information for Candidates: Non-Examination Assessment 25-26
- Information for Candidates: Social Media
- AI and Assessments: A Quick Guide for Students
Ofqual have also published a Student Checklist to help students prepare for their exams and assessments - Student Checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Exam Timetables
Exam timetables are available on Student Portal as soon as entries are made.
Please check your individual exam timetable carefully for exam room details and to ensure all your exams are listed. If you have any queries or believe you have entries missing, please contact exams@franklin.ac.uk as soon as possible.
We advise you to check your timetable regularly, including the day before your exam in case of any unavoidable last minute room changes. You will receive a text reminder the day before your exam confirming the timing of the exam and your exam room - please make sure you know where your exam room is in advance of the exam.
Please note the exam times listed on your timetables do not take into account any extra time allowances.
Exam Day Guidance
You must be outside your exam room at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the exam.
You are required to leave your coat, bag and any belongings not required for your exam in the bag drop. Please make sure you have done this before 08:45am for morning exams and 1:15pm for afternoon exams.
In addition please ensure that you bring the following to every exam:
- BLACK pen x2 (you must write in black ball-point pen only)
- Student ID card
- Any other equipment required for the exam, e.g. ruler, pencil, rubber, calculator, maths equipment
The college has very limited spare equipment that can be handed out in an emergency (for example if your pen runs out or your calculator stops working). If you arrive to your exam without equipment you are risking not having the equipment you need during your exam.
You must not be in possession of:
- a mobile phone
- smart glasses or any other smart technology
- any type of watch - including analogue, digital or smartwatches
- iPads/tablets, iPods, Fitbits, AirPods, earphones or ear buds, MP3 or MP4 players or similar devices
- Revision notes / blank paper or post it notes
- Correction fluid or gel pens
- Calculator lids
- Non-transparent pencil cases
- Non-transparent water bottles or water bottles with pictures or writing on them
- Fizzy drinks or food
- Any other item that is not required for your exam
Possession of any of the above items could constitute malpractice and must be reported to the relevant awarding body. If you do not need it for your exam, please do not bring it to the exam room.
Absences and Late Arrivals
If there is an emergency and you are going to be late for your exam must telephone Reception on 01472 875000 to inform them of the circumstances. If you arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time of your exam, please go straight to your exam room and report to an Invigilator.
If you arrive later than 30 minutes after the scheduled start time of your exam please immediately report to reception and request to speak to a member of the Exam Team.
Please be aware that if you arrive late for the exam the Exam Board have the discretion not to accept your exam script.
In the case of absence from an exam please telephone Reception on 01472 875000 as soon as possible.
Vocational BTEC & CTEC Resits January 2026
If you wish to resit either a BTEC First, BTEC National or Cambridge Technical exam in January 2026, please complete the resit application form below.
BTEC & CTEC January 2026 Resit Form
Deadlines
| Qualification | Deadline |
| Cambridge Technical | Friday 10th September |
| BTEC National & BTEC First | Friday 10th September |
Fees
| Qualification | Fee (per unit) |
| BTEC First (Level 2) | £ 21.21 |
| BTEC National (Level 3) | £45.10 |
| Cambridge Technical (Level 3) | £ 47.00 |
The fees listed are the entry fees charged by the awarding bodies.
Please note that payment must be made at the Finance Office before the deadline published above for the resit entry to be accepted.
Summer 2026 Contingency Day
The awarding bodies collectively agree a contingency day each year which is always scheduled at the end of the GCSE and GCE 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.
For the May/June 2026 exams, the designated contingency day will be Wednesday 24 June 2026. JCQ and the awarding bodies expect candidates to be available up to and including this date in case of national disruption to the examination series.
Please therefore consider this contingency day when making plans for Summer. All candidates are advised to remain available until Wednesday 24 June 2026 should examinations need to be rescheduled.
