Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)

This page lists guidance from the JCQ and is regularly updated.

JCQ: Understanding and avoiding malpractice blog

JCQ have published a blog(25 May 2022) by Richard Taylor (Head of Exams Integrity, AQA) on what to do if you suspect malpractice or maladministration has occurred, and some of the common malpractice scenarios that JCQ awarding bodies encounter.

JCQ: SLT Quick Guide

JCQ’s Quick Guide for Senior Leaders on summer 2022 exams and assessments was published on 12 May 2022.

The JCQ – update (May 2022)

Informing students of centre-assessed marks before submission

See section 6.1 of the Instructions for conducting non-examination assessments and section 13.5 of the Instructions for conducting coursework.

Guidance for managing exams in Summer 2022

The JCQ has produced some additional guidance for centres managing exams for general and vocational qualifications this summer.

Exam Day Guidance Video

The JCQ has produced a new video for Exams Officers to help ensure things run smoothly on exam days.

JCQ Form 14 updated

The JCQ Form 14 for students self-certificating illness has been updated.

Special Consideration FAQs

Some Frequently Asked Questions on the special consideration process for centres in England have now been published.

Results and Post Results Services Summer 2022

The JCQ Notice to Centres - Release of results for the June 2022 series and the JCQ Post-Results Services booklet for the June 2022 series are now available.

JCQ Special Consideration Guidance – amended April 2022

Following discussion and consultation with the DfE and Ofqual, JCQ has updated the special consideration guidance for centres in England in line with the most recent UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance on Covid-19.

JCQ support for Exams Officers

The JCQ awarding bodies are working together to produce a series of guidance documents to support Exams Officers.

Managing timetable clashes – a blog (March 2022)

This will be complemented by a series of live webinars delivered by Centre Inspectors. Find out more and register here.

Advance information – Ofqual and JCQ information (February 2022)

You can find relevant guidance from JCQ and Ofqual, including FAQs for students and exam centres, and the student guide on the JCQ Advance Information landing page.

Advance information for GCSEs, AS and A levels

JCQ guidance on advance information (January 2022).

Summer 2022 Contingencies FAQs

Following continued liaison with CST, teaching associations and unions, JCQ has updated its series of Summer 2022 contingencies FAQs (December 2021).

The November series results for GCSE English language and maths have been published by JCQ (13 January 2022).

Joint Council on Qualifications (JCQ) - Exam timetables, Summer 2022

The exam boards have now published their timetables for the summer 2022 examination series. These include GCSE, GCE AS and A-level examinations. These can be found on their individual websites:

The JCQ Key dates in the examination cycle document is now available.

Contingency Planning

JCQ has prepared a Notice (11 October 2021) based on the guidance provided within the JCQ Joint Contingency Plan. In the event of widespread disruption to the examination system, all centres must have contingency plans in place. The JCQ Notice sets out the three main categories of disruption, and where your contingency plans should focus. More information can be found here.

Making vocational education reforms work for everyone

JCQ is hosting an online event to discuss the government’s reforms to Post-16 vocational education.

The event will be taking place on Thursday 4th November 2021 from 9.30am until midday. Register your interest in attending here.

JCQ advanced information guidance for 2022 exams

JCQ has released a guidance document (12 October 2021) on the advanced information that will be given for most General Qualifications including most GCSEs and A levels on or before 7 February 2022.

Joint Qualifications Council – update

Autumn 2021

Students who received either A level or GCSE grades in the summer can sit exams this autumn. Some exams are also available for AS levels. Deadlines for applying are 8th September for AS and A level, and 4th October for GCSE. For more information, please visit JCQ’s key dates page.

2021-2022 Documents

All documents are now available on the JCQ website to help you with preparations for the next academic year. This includes the final, designed version of the 2021/22 Suspected Malpractice Policies and Procedures. All JCQ documents can be found in the Exams Office section of their website.

Joint Qualifications Council - Autumn 2021 Timetable

Further to the DfE announcement that there will be an opportunity for students to sit the full suite of GCSE and GCE A Level examinations in autumn 2021, please find links below to the timetables published by the exam boards.

Keeping Students Informed - July 2021

To schools and trusts communicate the grading process to students, JCQ and the exam boards have produced a timeline infographic (July 2021)

JCQ 2021-2022 documents

JCQ has produced and published the following documents ahead of the next academic year (2021-2022).

General Regulations

A Guide to the Special Consideration Process

Instructions for Conducting Non-Examination Assessments

JCQ Appeals – Letter to Centres - June 2021

JCQ and the Exam Boards have written to Heads of Centre and Senior Leaders to provide directional support on this summer's Appeals process.

Quality Assurance Process - June 2021

The Joint Qualifications Council (JCQ) has published guidance (June 2021) for uploading sample material as part of stage 3 of the quality assurance process. After the window for Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) closes on 18th June, centres will need to provide a sample of the material that has been used to determine grades as part of Stage 3 of the quality assurance process.

As centres will only be told the name of the Exam Board to which they will need to send this material when the window for submission opens, JCQ has gathered the guidance for all boards into this single document so it is available centrally in advance. The document is broken down into four sections covering each Exam Board.

Details of the number of subjects and candidates for each subject required, along with more information on timelines for submission of sample material can be found in the JCQ QA Addendum.

JCQ Guidance - June 2021

The JCQ guidance on appeals relating to assessment and awarding this summer has now been published. This is the guidance that Centres will follow when processing appeals.

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