exam cheating

[rahman97]

My daughter had a chemistry epa today(controlled assessment) wherE her phone went off during the exam so she was caught with it. Has anyone had any experience in this situation? How long will it take to find out from AQA if she's been disqualified or for how many years? I understand she shouldnt have had her phone and been on it so I'd just like anyone whos ever come across the situation to let me know what happened

[MrsUltracrepidarian]

Not helpful for the OP, but those schools which operate zero tolerance on mobiles are doing their pupils a favour to train them to avoid these situations.
I am working in a school at the moment where even the phone in sight in class is a confiscation - the phone is sent to student services, they get a detention and they have to queue up (behind people with other errands)up to get it at the end of the day.
More than once in a half-term and it is a Saturday detention.
Occasionally I hear a phone go off, but I know if the pupil turns bright red and apologises that it is a mistake, so they don't get a detention, but the phone is still confiscated.
Very rare to have an infringement after Year 8 even tho' it is very tough school with challenging pupils.

[rahman97]

How long after the incident does the school have to report it?

[catslife]

If she is disqualified for only that one unit, she will be given a mark of zero for the practical, but the other marks will still count so it may be an overall pass. This is why she still needs to sit all other exams.
If she is disqualified for all Chemistry exams then all the marks will be set as zero for this year.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

I believed hat a report has to be sent to the exam board asap. Schools absolutely have to report it otherwise they risk losing being a centre for all exams, if it is discovered later.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

'That'

[mumsneedwine]

The report will go back with the exam papers. Which is in the afternoon, or next morning. Couriers come get them. I am sorry. I think she needs to prepare herself for the worst, while still taking all her exams. Not an easy position to be in. If she actually answered the phone then that's very bad. If it just rung and she ignored it, then she might only lose marks for the CA. If teacher thought she was cheating then I'm assuming she was looking at it or was talking about the paper ? In which case she will probably lose all exams. The rules are very strict and inflexible - to prevent kids trying to cheat. Has she apologised ? In writing. Showing maturity and acknowledgement of being a wally might sway exam board. Never known it done so don't know if it works. Good luck

[rahman97]

Thanks everyone for trying to help, we heard back from the exam board and she only got disqualified from her Chemistry AS, but being a straight A student the school said she was fine to continue with A2 next year and sit both her AS and A2 in June 2016. Thanks for all the help.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

Good news!!

[TheFirstOfHerName]

That must be a big relief for you (and her).

[TheFirstOfHerName]

I'm glad they got back to her promptly with the decision; it would have been horrible if she'd been left hanging for the whole exam season.

[mumsneedwine]

That's good news. Now tell her to leave her phone at home !!! Exam boards usually pretty quick to give decisions. Now to get those other exams done.