Warning about talking in GCSE exams.....

[seeker]

....massive kerfiuffle this morning- so warn your own GCSE takers! DD went into the exam hall this morning to fins somebody sitting in her seat by mistake. The papers hadn't been handed out. Dd said something like "I think that's my seat" and the other girl said "oops, sorry, yes it is" and moved. The invigilator came and told the off for talking, the girls apologised. Afterwards, the invigilator told their head of year, and said that she had considered sending them both out, which would mean that they couldn't sit any of their science GCSEs this sitting, but had decided not to. Head of year rang me in a flap to explain that there was no suggestion that dd had said anything that she shouldn't have- and the papers were still in the envelope anyway, but they mustn't say ANYTHING at all once they are through the door. And a even grumpier invigilator could have disqualified them for this.

Just thought I'd pass on the warning!

That's mean!

The exact same situation happened in my university exam yesterday. Silence on entering room, numbered seats etc. Someone sat in the wrong seat and the other person told them.

What happened? Nothing, because it would be utterly ridiculous to disqualify someone from sitting an exam over such a mundane thing.

Students who are allowed to use a computer use a school one which has been set up specially in the exam hall and only the relevant programs installed.

They do not bring their own laptop!

I have invigilated tons of exams. I would not have treated your daughter in this way. At the end I might, if I'd had time because it's a busier job than meets the eye, have had a really quiet word with your dd to make sure that next time if the same thing happened, she went straight to the invigilator to tell her there was a problem and to let the invigilator sort it out.

It does sound like the invigilator was a touch over zealous.

However, all schools that I have taught at have made it very clear to all students that 'exam conditions' exist from the moment you enter the door.

All mobile phones and such like need to be turned off and handed in. We had a lad this year who had given his in, but not turned it off, cue a call (apparently from his mum asking how it went) while we were collecting the papers in at the end. No formal action was taken, we just gave him a good kicking in the corridor after.

They are under exam conditions the moment they enter the exam room. That means no talking to other candidates. Any problem is sorted out by the invigilator or exams officer.

An invigilator cannot disqualify a candidate. If they suspect an irregularity, they report it to the exams officer, who would then report it to the awarding body. In a situation described by the OP, the awarding body would take no action against the student. They may recommend some training to the school so that students understand what is meant by exam conditions.

Yeah i can still remeber my GCSE and i remember the sign which says to be SILENT when you enter the room because it is exam conditions. Yes the women sounds to have a bee up her arse, but your DD should know that silent means silent. She should have gone to an examiner to rectify the problem.