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Original poster

exams of different length

38 replies

kitkat1968 · 30/05/2016 11:34

what happens at your DC's school? Ds says people doing different length exams are in the same hall and the ones doing a longer exam are disturbed by the clatter of the ones doing a shorter exam leaving. This is going to be a big issue next week when DS has some 3 hour exams and will potentially be disturbed twice!

OP posts:
caroldecker · 30/05/2016 14:11

Students can leave at any time (after 15 mins,I think), so there could always be disruption of people leaving even if they all have the same exam.

IrregularCommentary · 30/05/2016 13:56

I don't remember this being a big deal when I was doing exams. I've always done 3hr exams and had others leaving partway through. Schools minimise disruption pretty well I'd say and any disturbance is short lived.

Fees wise, these go direct to the exam board and pay for the setting/admin/marking of papers; the school don't receive money.

marmiteloversunite · 30/05/2016 13:54

My DD had to wait half an hour the other day as she was doing a shorter exam than some others. Must be distracting though if you have people leave halfway through.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 30/05/2016 13:52

Exam fees go to the exam board

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 30/05/2016 13:52

It isn't possible to use classrooms as the rest of the school is still working around them. I have one lad doing is his exams in my office as he has special arrangements and trying to keep the corridor quiet is a nightmare. At least in the exam hall there will only be one set of noise - we usually let them out a row at a time in silence so it is minimal

Original poster
kitkat1968 · 30/05/2016 13:47

The pressure on space and staffing invigilation at this time of year is immense. What do you think the solution should be?

Well there should be lots of rooms spare where students would normally be having classes.Each exam entry fee presumably includes an amount for invigilators wages?
DS is doing 3 STEP papers and I really expect him and other STEP students to be in a separate room because presumably the school have received money from their £46 per paper fees , and these students will incur no extra costs above and beyond the A level candidates

OP posts:
TiredOfSleep · 30/05/2016 13:08

We had a rule where if it was 20 mins or less til the next exam finished you had to wait and all leave together.

catslife · 30/05/2016 12:13

As trills says, seats are arranged so that those taking the longer exam are at the front and those taking shorter exam at the back (nearer the doors) to minimise disturbance.

MrsMushrooms · 30/05/2016 12:04

It happens, it's just part of doing exams I'm afraid!

LIZS · 30/05/2016 11:46

Normal as far as Ds is concerned . Apparently they just learn to deal with it!

Trills · 30/05/2016 11:44

This happened when I was in school and I'm in my 30s now.

They arranged the seats so that those leaving earlier would not have to walk past those staying longer.

It really was not a big deal.

swashbucklecheer · 30/05/2016 11:43

That's what happens. It's part of exam life

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 30/05/2016 11:38

Yes, everyone is in the same hall. The pressure on space and staffing invigilation at this time of year is immense. What do you think the solution should be?