T level exam mess up help

[Flossieskeeper]

I would really appreciate advice. Ds sitting an IT t level (as in the actual final exams) . He went in today ready to sit it only to find the college hadn’t set up the exam or downloaded the necessary software. He was sent off and told he would sit the exam this afternoon, it transpires that his classmates had to down load the software ready for the exam! They have all now been told that the exam is rescheduled for tomorrow.
you couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried. It’s the accumulation of 2 years of mess. However ds is doing his best to get enough marks to get into uni so we’re all rather worried as to how this is going to affect them.

Does anyone know where I would even start to complain or whether we can ask for any accommodations as the carry on from college is likely to have a detrimental effect on his marks. TIA

I'm sorry OP, I don't quite understand.

He was sent off and told he would sit the exam this afternoon, it transpires that his classmates had to down load the software ready for the exam! They have all now been told that the exam is rescheduled for tomorrow.
When were the classmates told to download the software? Why was your DS not included in this?

Does anyone know where I would even start to complain or whether we can ask for any accommodations as the carry on from college is likely to have a detrimental effect on his marks
Why do you assume it will negatively impact his marks? If he sits the exact same exam tomorrow?

Thank you for answering. It is a little unbelievable .

So the exam was today - it’s a t level and it’s the final exams for this.

The college had not set up for the exam - ie the college was supposed to have downloaded the software ahead of the exam so that the student could go in and sit the exam today.

As the college had not downloaded the correct software none of the students were able to sit the exam today. One of the students (who was attempting to sit the exam in the morning slot) ended up assisting the college by downloading the necessary software( this should have been completed by college ).

As the necessary software hadn’t been downloaded, none of the students were able to sit the exam today and all sent home.

It’s unclear how this will affect the exam timetable as there are assessments timetabled all week.

As to affecting his exam marks- well it might not, however this is the culmination of poor teaching of this course on behalf of the college. It’s also adding to the stress for the students. It’s the A levels equivalent,so imagine if students got told they couldn’t sit an English a level today and to go back tomorrow to sit it. It’s the same scenario.

Er if this is a nationwide exam not sure on
The logistics of just sitting it at a later sitting! It will be all over TikTok by now, unless he's being kept in effective quarantine!

@chickenpieandchips possibly.
I have no idea how t levels are scheduled and whether there is some leeway over the exam timetable.

Is there a college equivalent of an exam officer? In a school there is also a head of exams. I invigilate and ours is the headmaster. I would find out who that is and give them what for!

@chickenpieandchips I’m not sure about head of invigilating but I would assume there is one. I can find that out.

What outcome would you be looking for in a complaint? I do feel there should be a complaint. I’m not entirely sure what resolution options there are, aside from the usual “we are sorry you are upset” response. Which whilst an acknowledgment won’t necessarily help ds and his friends at this point . I feel the college incompetence is disadvantaging the students. Is that fair?

As you can tell I’m not used to this sort of situation so any advice and pointers is welcome.

Just ask them what the procedure is. As you say t exams might be different. Is there any issue with him sitting it late? And if so how are they going to resolve it? But your child is sitting exams and is stressed and so you want an answer asap. Once you have the answers then can see what this all means. But you need it answered now.

T level exams are timetabled to happen within a window so this won't affect his final mark. My students have already completed their exams. Sounds like the college aren't prepared. I'd be unhappy if this happened to my child.

My DS was sitting one of his digital T-level exam this morning …. there were some issues. They might be at the same college !

His whole 2 year course has been a shambles

What was his occupational specialism as that will effect the dates and whether they can allow it to be done tomorrow ?

@usernamedifferent sounds very familiar!