State Examinations Commission · State Examinations Commission . ... All candidates who are entered...

State Examinations Commission

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS

Procedures relating to the conduct of the Certificate Examinations

where a candidate:

• has access to a scribe or reader or sign language interpreter

• is using a tape-recorder or word processor

• is hospitalised • requires an individual centre

This document has been prepared for use by school authorities and examination Superintendents, including those acting as Scribes, Readers etc for candidates. Please familiarise yourself with the procedures detailed in this document before the commencement of the Certificate Examinations.


RA Guide for Schools and Supers.doc

2

Contact Details – Reasonable Accommodations Section

Throughout the examination period, staff members are on hand from 8.30am to 9.00pm on examination days and from 9.30am to 1.00pm at weekends during the examination period. Outside of these hours contact may be made through the main number 090 6442700 and a brief message can be left with the security staff. During this busy period, it is advised to follow up all faxes and emails with a telephone call to the office. Direct Phone Nos: 090 644 2781 / 2782 / 2783 / 2784 / 2785 / 2786 Fax: 090 644 2744 Email: [email protected] Web: www.examinations.ie

If anything happens during the examinations which may threaten the integrity of the examinations ring the State Examinations Commission (SEC) immediately on 1800 283071. This number will be in service during the period of the written examinations only.

mailto:[email protected]�

http://www.examinations.ie/�

3

Section 1 – General Information A. Candidate’s Base Centre…….…………………………………….….….…….4 B. Appointment of Examination Superintendent/Scribe/Reader etc .….………..4 C. Reimbursement..…………………………………………………….…….…...5 Section 2 – Procedures for Superintendents assigned to separate centres during the examinations A. Examination Papers……………………………………………………………..5

B. At the start of an examination…………………………………………………..5

C. Conduct of Superintendents during the examinations………………………..…6

D. End of an examination………………………………………………………..…6

E. Red Reasonable Accommodations Transmission Envelope………………..…...7

F. Breach of Regulations………….…………………………………………..……7 Section 3 - Procedures for superintending where access to a Reader, Scribe, tape

recorder or word processor has been granted A. Where a candidate has access to a Reader…………………………………......8

B. Where a candidate has access to a Scribe……………………………………...9

C. Where a candidate has the use of a Tape Recorder…………………………..10 D. Where a candidate has the use of a Word Processor………………………….11

E. Where a candidate has the use of a Sign Language Interpreter………………12

Section 4 – Procedures for schools and Superintendents in dealing with emergencies (e.g. hospitalisation) during the examinations A. Emergencies arising where arrangements are required within the school…... 13 B. Emergencies arising where the candidate is admitted to hospital.....……..…..13 C. Occasions where the examination timetable may be adjusted………………..14 D. Accommodations that can be approved by the school authority……………...15 E. Candidates that have encountered difficult life experiences, adversity………16

or trauma Appendices Extract from Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools 2004/2005……….…17 Education Act 1998……………………………………………………………….21 Form RAWP01………………………………………………………………..…..23

4

A. Candidate’s Base Centre

SECTION 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

All candidates who are entered for the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations are assigned to what may be termed a Base Centre. The base centre is located in the candidate’s own school and is where the examination papers and examination stationery are provided for the candidate. The base centre documents (roll, advice notes etc.) provide a record of the candidate’s attendance. In situations where the candidate has been granted access to a Reader/Word Processor/ Tape Recorder /Scribe, the candidate will be sitting in a separate examination centre. It is not necessary to appoint an attendant to the separate centre.

B. Appointment of Examination Superintendents/Scribe/Reader Where an emergency occurs, the school is likely to be in the best position to help arrange the necessary alternative arrangements at short notice. In the event that a separate centre is required the school authorities should appoint a local Superintendent. – see Section 4 below for detailed instructions. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) recognises a candidate may have worked with a particular person during his/her course of study for example, the Learning Support Teacher or approved Special Needs Assistant. In the interests of the candidate the SEC accepts that the school may wish to nominate as Reader or Scribe such a person, or some other person from the school locality. In those circumstances, it is acceptable that this person also acts as Superintendent. To ensure the integrity of the examination is upheld, relatives, friends of the candidate or another candidate within the school are not permitted to act as the Superintendent, Reader or Scribe. Where the person acting as Superintendent, Reader, Scribe or Sign Language Interpreter is not familiar with the candidate’s requirements it is desirable that he/she should attend at the examination centre on the day before the examinations commence in order to meet the candidate and to allow for practice sessions with the candidate. A suitable time should be arranged in consultation with the school. Where a tape recorder or word processor is used, the candidate and school authorities should ensure that he/she has an adequate supply of tapes, floppy discs, memory devices etc. and that equipment/aids to be used by the candidate are in good working order. It is acceptable to have different persons to act as Scribe/Reader to match the subject choices of the candidate. In a situation where the school is unable to source a Superintendent for the candidate locally, please contact the SEC at least two weeks before the start of the examinations.

5

C. Reimbursement The SEC will arrange refund to the school for the cost involved in employing a locally appointed Superintendent.The SEC is not responsible for any fees or costs, which may be incurred in the provision of any mechanical aids, such as tape recorders, tapes, floppy discs, memory devices etc. The SEC is not responsible for travel and subsistence expenses relating to locally appointed personnel. Full details of how to claim a refund will be contained in the circular on payment arrangements for school appointed personnel which issues annually in May.

A. Examination Papers

SECTION 2

PROCEDURES FOR SUPERINTENDENTS ASSIGNED TO SEPARATE CENTRES DURING THE EXAMINATIONS. If you are appointed by a school or the SEC to a separate centre (i.e. in a school or hospital) you should familiarise yourself with this booklet and the procedures involved in conducting an examination.

1. You must confirm the subject and level being taken by the candidate prior to

obtaining the examination material from the main examination Superintendent. 2. You should then obtain all necessary material for the conduct of the examination

(i.e. examination papers, examination stationery, details of corrections to examination papers where appropriate etc.) from the Superintendent of the Base Centre (See page 4 for explanations of the term ‘Base Centre’).

3. If you are calling to a nominated base centre to collect examination papers and other examination material for a separate centre you must produce some form of identification.

4. The custody of the examination papers is a most

serious responsibility and you must use every possible precaution to prevent the examination papers from falling into other hands or from being tampered with in any way or opened until the time appointed for the distribution of the papers.

B. At the start of an examination It is important that you make yourself aware of the fire regulations of the Examination Centre and of other emergency procedures. In the event of an emergency (e.g. a fire) you should be guided by the appropriate authority in order to ensure the safety of all concerned. If you are assigned to a separate centre you should again confirm with the candidate the subject and level being taken prior to distributing the examination paper and related materials. The official timetable must be adhered to during the course of the examinations except where a specific derogation has been sanctioned by the SEC in advance. It is imperative in all circumstances that the full allotment of time for the examination as specified in the official timetable is given to the candidate.

6

C. Conduct of Superintendents during the examinations If you are assigned to a separate centre you are reminded that you are expected to give your entire attention to the work of superintending/reading/scribing, and that the use of mobile phones or personal music appliances, reading of newspapers, or books, writing letters, sewing, knitting or engaging in any occupation other than superintending/reading/scribing, during the examinations, is incompatible with the proper discharge of your duties. You should not bring in to the examination centre, any items (including newspapers or books) other than those which relate to the examinations. You must not give any advice or information to the candidate in relation to the examination papers, or the subject of examination, nor should you interpret any apparent misprint or defect in the papers except in accordance with any instructions issued by the SEC. Specific criminal offences which relate to the Certificate Examinations are contained in the Education Act 1998. (See Appendix B) D. End of an examination Examination scripts should be returned to the Superintendent of the Base Centre immediately after the examinations. Where the separate centre is in the school or in a hospital adjacent to the school the candidate will appear on the centre roll in the base centre. Where the separate centre is located in a hospital not in the vicinity of the candidate’s school then the candidate’s name and subjects should be entered on the centre roll in the nominated base centre (i.e. the centre from where the examination papers originated). Where a candidate is presenting his/her work on a non standard medium e.g. tape recorder or computer disk, this work should be returned in the red “Reasonable Accommodations” envelope which you will have received from the Superintendent in the Base Centre. You should complete and return this envelope to the main examination Superintendent. The word “Provisional” should be crossed out. The envelopes must not be used where the candidate’s work is presented solely in written format in a standard answer-book. (See section E for further information on these envelopes). If you are the Superintendent of the base centre you should await the return of the answerbook from the separate centre before sealing the transmission envelope containing the scripts of the base centre. You should, on receipt of the completed answerbook from the separate centre, complete the centre roll before placing the answerbooks in the same transmission envelope as the other scripts from the base centre. Advice Notes should be completed when the answerbook(s) is returned from the separate centre and before it is placed in the transmission envelope.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent of the base centre to return the answerbook(s) to the State Examinations Commission.

7

E. Red Reasonable Accommodation Transmission Envelope

1. Superintendents in base centres have been supplied with 15 special red envelopes.

2. A special red envelope should only be used in the following circumstances:

• Where a candidate is presenting his/her work on a non standard medium e.g. tape recorder or computer disk.

• Where a candidate is in breach of the Rules and Regulations as defined in Appendix A. (Please refer to subsection F below for further information).

• The envelopes must not be used

where the candidate’s work is presented solely in written format in a standard answerbook.

F. Breach of Regulations The detailed rules regarding the conduct of candidates during examinations are set out in Appendix A of this booklet. The offences and penalties contained in the Education Act 1998 are set out in Appendix B. You are required to read, understand and comply with the instructions in this booklet, any instructions given to you by SEC personnel or their authorised representatives and to ensure that the examinations are conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations. If a candidate(s) in a separate examination centre is suspected of a breach of the rules and regulations governing the conduct of candidates during examinations, a report should be made on the incident by the separate centre Superintendent and all work including the report should be placed in the red envelope and the word “Reasonable Accommodations” should be crossed out. The work of the candidate is considered to be “Provisional.” This envelope should be returned to the base centre Superintendent who in turn will return the envelope to the SEC together with all other scripts.

8

A. Guidelines for Schools, Superintendents and the Reader where the candidate has been granted access to a Reader

SECTION 3

PROCEDURES FOR SUPERINTENDING WHERE ACCESS TO A READER, SCRIBE, TAPE RECORDER OR WORD PROCESSOR HAS BEEN GRANTED

A Reader is a person who, on request, will read to the candidates the entire or any part of the examination paper. Duties of a Reader

• A person nominated as Reader should have a capacity to read the examination paper in any language subject chosen by the candidate.

• The Reader should read through the entire examination paper with the

candidate, if required, ensuring that each word is heard clearly. The Reader may not give the meanings of words, nor expand on what is written. The candidate may ask for parts of the paper to be read again as often as may be necessary, but the Reader may not suggest or choose parts of the paper for repetition without the candidate’s direction. The Reader must not advise the candidate which questions to do, when to move onto the next question, or the order in which questions should be answered.

Guidelines for the Reader

• Read the examination aloud, speaking in a clear voice and pronounce words correctly.

• Do not choose part of the examination for repetition, without direction from the candidate.

• Do not try to solve the problems or determine the correct answers as you read, as doing so may result in an unconscious pause or change in inflection that could be misleading or disconcerting to the candidate.

• Read each question clearly. Place special emphasis on words printed in boldface, italics or capitals and inform the candidate that words are printed that way.

• Do not place your own emphasis on words not emphasised in the examination paper.

• When reading a word that is pronounced like another word with a different spelling, if there can be any doubt about which word is intended, spell the word for the candidate after you have pronounced it.

• Spell any words requested by the candidate on the examination paper only. • In the case of multiple-choice questions place equal stress on each response

option. At the completion of the examination

• The Reader should indicate on the front cover of the script that he/she has read the paper to the candidate by writing “I acted as Reader and read the examination paper to the candidate” and sign appropriately.

9

B. Guidelines for Schools, Superintendents and the Scribe where the candidate has been granted access to the services of a Scribe

A Scribe is a person who, in an examination, writes down a candidate’s dictated answers.

Duties of a Scribe

• A person nominated as Scribe should have a capacity to write legibly and have a capacity to write in any language subject chosen by the candidate and be familiar with the symbols used in Mathematics or the Sciences.

• The duty of a Scribe is to transcribe only what is dictated by the candidate.

The Scribe must not advise the candidate regarding which questions to attempt, when to move on to the next question or the order in which the questions should be answered. The Scribe should write down answers exactly as they are dictated.

• Although the Scribe may read back the candidate’s responses as requested, the

Scribe is not permitted to read any part of the examination paper to the candidate unless the SEC has also granted access to a Reader.

Extra Time – Leaving Certificate In the case of the subjects Irish, English, History and Geography there is a scheme in operation to make the time element less critical in these examinations. This scheme has allocated an additional 20 minutes to all candidates. Accordingly, in these subjects, the candidate may have 10 minutes additional time over and above that shown on the published timetable, which issued to schools. In all other subjects the candidate may have an additional 10 minutes per scheduled hour up to a maximum of 30 minutes. This is to allow for the necessary dictation and transcription.

Extra Time – Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied

Ten minutes extra time for each scheduled hour of examination will be allowed in order to provide for the necessary dictation and transcription. Completion of an examination

• The Scribe should indicate on the front cover of the script that he/she has acted as Scribe for the candidate by writing “I acted as Scribe and wrote down the candidate’s dictated answers” and sign appropriately.

• Any work that is in the candidate’s own handwriting should be clearly marked

as such by the Scribe.

10

C. Guidelines for Schools and Superintendents where the candidate has been granted the use of a Tape Recorder 1. The only material to be recorded on tape is the candidate’s answers. It is not

necessary to record dialogue between Superintendent and candidate or between candidate and a Reader/Scribe if such assistance has also been granted. The tape-recorder should be switched on and off as required in order to avoid periods of silence on tape. This can greatly assist examiners when they are listening to tapes.

2. You, the Superintendent should instruct the candidate to ensure that his/her

answers are specific and clear and to indicate on tape the question number or sub-part of the question that is being attempted, when a new question is being attempted and when all work is finished.

3. In relation to the tape-recorder or tapes used by the candidate you should:

• Ensure that only standard audio cassettes e.g. C60, C90 are used. • Ensure that the tape is rewound to the start of the tape at the commencement of

the examination and state clearly that this is the commencement of the examination.

• Ensure that the candidate number, base centre number, subject and subject

level are stated on the tape at the beginning of each examination. • Ensure that the candidate speaks with a clear voice. • Confirm on tape that the end of the examination session has been reached and

the candidate has concluded his/her work at the examination. • Indicate on the tape label the sides of the tape, which have been used by the

candidate. The candidate’s base centre number, candidate number, subject and subject level should also be written on the label.

• Indicate clearly any tape or side of tape, which has not been used.

4. Where a candidate has a physical disability it may be necessary to aid the

candidate by starting and stopping the tape recorder as instructed by the candidate. 5. The candidate may ask for parts of the tape to be played back to him/her in order

to check responses. Tip: Cleaning the heads on the tape recorder in advance is likely to give a better

quality recording on tape.

11

D. Guidelines for Schools and Superintendents where the candidate has been granted the use of a Word Processor Important Notice in relation to return of scripts The enclosed form rawp01 must be completed by the Superintendent and returned with the script in respect of each examination where a candidate has been granted and availed of the use of a word processor 1. Details of the computer hardware and software (including version) should be

provided in advance to the SEC and confirmed by you, the superintendent, in your report at the conclusion of the examination.

2. The candidate under the supervision of the school authority must undertake to

remove from any hard disk storage area all files which contain material, which might contravene the rules governing the conduct of candidates (please refer to Appendix A for further information)

• The computer terminal used should be a standalone model, i.e. it should not be

connected to a telephone line or to any form of Local Area Network (LAN). If the computer terminal has wireless capability this must be disabled in advance of the examination.

• In particular the SEC is concerned that any files/documents/study notes being

retained by the candidate on computer media are removed.

• Where the computer facilities in use are the actual property of the school and cleaning the hard disk would involve inconvenience for the school, the SEC is prepared to allow, on application, the retention of any data which is proper to the school as distinct from the candidate. An example of this would be where the computer is in use by the school for its own administrative records.

• Failure to follow these instructions could expose the candidate to the

imposition of penalties as provided for under the rules. 3. An official of the SEC may call to examine the technology in use before or during

the examinations. 4. The candidate should be allowed to work for the full period scheduled and any

printing of final copy may be done subsequently. 5. The SEC strongly recommends that prudent backup procedures

should operate to ensure that there is no data loss due, for example, to power interruption. If the computer software supports timed backup this facility should be enabled.

• Frequent saving to disk or storage device and/or intermediate production of paper copy is suggested. Individual circumstances will vary depending on the sophistication of the hardware and software available.

• Even where a hard disk is installed the candidate should copy or save data primarily to a removable media storage device e.g USB, CD/DVD etc. The hard disk of the computer may be used for backup purposes.

12

6. If a candidate has been granted the use of a Word Processor on the grounds of Physical Difficulty

If a candidate has been granted the use of a Word Processor on the grounds of a

, the spelling and grammar check must be disabled during all examination sessions undertaken by the candidate. Similarly, any Auto Correct facility must be disabled.

Specific Learning Difficulty

7. The candidate will be examined based on paper copy generated by the word processing package. The candidate must, however, include with the paper copy any CD/DVD’s or USB devices used during that particular session and any paper copy generated during the examination for backup purposes. The candidate should ensure that all printed pages are numbered for example Page 1 of 10.

, the spelling and grammar check may be enabled during all examination sessions undertaken by the candidate. Similarly, any Auto Correct facility may be enabled. The grounds on which the word processor has been granted will have been confirmed to the school authority in writing in advance of the examinations.

8. All removable media devices should be labelled with the base centre number,

candidate number, subject and subject level. The removable media devices should be securely packaged before returning to the SEC to prevent damage.

E.Guidelines for Schools and Superintendents where the candidate has been granted the use of a Sign Language Interpreter.

If you are carrying out the duty of a Sign Language Interpreter you will, on request, sign to the candidate the entire or any part of the examination paper. Your role as a Sign Language Interpreter is to present the questions in a different language without changing the meaning, adding any additional information or providing any explanation as to what the question requires of the candidate.

13

A. Emergencies arising where arrangements are required within the school. (e.g. accidents, illness)

SECTION 4

PROCEDURES FOR SCHOOLS AND SUPERINTENDENTS IN DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES (e.g. HOSPITALISATION) DURING THE EXAMINATIONS.

1. Where an emergency occurs, the school is likely to be in the best position to help

arrange the necessary alternative arrangements at short notice. In the event that a separate centre is required the school authorities are free to appoint a local Superintendent within the guidelines as specified in Section 1.

2. You should contact the SEC to confirm supervision arrangements and to

obtain a reference number for the separate centre. All examination material can be obtained from the Superintendent of the candidate’s base centre. The candidate should be marked present on the roll for the base centre. At the conclusion of the examination the script should be returned to the base centre.

3. If, arising from an emergency, an adjustment to the start time of an examination

has been sanctioned by the SEC, a candidate must be allowed the full time specified for the examination.

4. In an emergency situation the candidate must always be supervised by the school

authorities from the start time of the examination as per the official timetable. B. Emergencies arising where the candidate is admitted to hospital It is inevitable with over 130,000 candidates taking the certificate examinations that some candidates will require hospitalisation, or as a result of accidents or illness, will require a separate centre in the school. These situations arise at short notice. Past experience shows that through the co-operation of schools, Superintendents, hospitals and parents, arrangements can speedily be put in place in the interest of the student. The purpose of this section of the document is to have available a ready guide for all who may become involved in making such arrangements.

1. Where the candidate is in hospital the school authorities should consult with the parents to ascertain if the candidate is physically able to sit for the examinations. Medical opinion may ultimately determine if the candidate will present for examination.

Procedures for the School

2. Once it is likely that the candidate will take the examination in hospital, the SEC

should be contacted with details of the hospital, location of the ward, the name of the person in charge and the list of subjects the candidate will take in hospital.

3. If the hospital is adjacent to the school, the school may, if possible, appoint a

person locally to act as Superintendent. If this is the case, the examination papers and stationery should be obtained from the candidate’s base centre in the school.

14

4. Where the school is some distance from the hospital the SEC will nominate a base centre in a school in the vicinity of the hospital and the SEC may appoint a Superintendent to the separate centre in the hospital if necessary.

1. In cases where the Superintendent obtains examination papers from the candidates own school

Procedures for the Superintendent:

• On appointment, you will be informed by the school of the location of the

hospital, the contact person in the hospital and the base centre. • You will obtain all examination papers and stationery from the candidate’s

base centre. Examination scripts should be returned to the Superintendent of the base centre

immediately after the examinations.

2. In cases where examination papers are to be supplied by a school nominated by the State Examinations Commission

• On appointment, you will be informed of the location of the hospital, the

contact person in the hospital and the base centre where the examination papers and stationery can be obtained and to where they must be returned.

• Where the hospital is not in the vicinity of the candidate’s base school, the

SEC will appoint a base centre in a school in the vicinity of the hospital. The SEC will inform this school of the arrangement in place.

• You may call to the nominated school to collect examination papers and

stationery for the purpose of operating the separate centre in the nearby hospital. Photographic ID should be produced when collecting the examination papers. Examination scripts should be returned to the Superintendent of the base centre

immediately after the examinations.

3. Please refer to SECTION 2 of this booklet for more detailed guidelines with regard to the procedures for the conduct of examinations.

4. Further advice and assistance can be obtained from the Reasonable Accommodations Section in the SEC. C. Occasions where the examination timetable may be adjusted

1. In exceptional circumstances, the start of the examination may be delayed or

brought forward, provided

• the candidate has not had sight of the examination paper or knowledge of the examination paper contents.

• the candidate has not had contact with other candidates or any person who

may have had sight of the examination paper or have knowledge of the examination paper contents.

15

• the candidate has been supervised by the school authorities from the start time of the examination as per the official timetable.

Where the start of the examination has been altered the candidate must be allowed the full time specified for the examination. Candidates may not, however, take an examination on a later date under any circumstances. Any change to the scheduled start of an examination must

2. Where a candidate is taken ill during the examination or requires a break for medical attention e.g. candidate undergoing a medical procedure, you may extend the examination time to compensate for loss of time as appropriate.

have prior approval from the SEC.

D. Accommodations that can be approved by school authorities Without recourse to the SEC, the school may authorise any of the following accommodations based on local knowledge of what is in the best interest of the candidate. • Granting breaks or rest periods in each examination session that are warranted by

the physical or medical condition of the candidate. The candidate may not The candidate may take one or more rest periods during each examination.

be writing during this rest period.

The total of the rest period(s) must not exceed 20 minutes per examination. The candidate must notify the Superintendent when they wish to begin /

conclude each rest period. Under this type of accommodation the time taken for rest or as a break

may be compensated for at the close of each examination period to a maximum of 20 minutes.

• Taking of medicine, food or drinks into the examination centre where this is

required for medical reasons. • Allowing the candidate to move within the centre • Use of a special desk or chair used in the classroom • Use of low vision aids used normally in the classroom • Ensuring that a candidate with a hearing impairment is positioned close to the

Superintendent. As Superintendent, you may permit any of these accommodations on receipt of a note from the school authorities confirming that the accommodation is required.

16

E. Candidates that have encountered difficult life experiences, adversity or trauma. Each year at the certificate examinations, the SEC receives correspondence in relation to unexpected situations encountered by a candidate. While the SEC would wish to do all it can for students who have had to cope with adversity in their lives, there is also the need to apply uniform and objective criteria to the marking of students examination work. At the certificate examinations each student’s work is marked according to the common marking scheme for the subject concerned. This is to ensure equitable, consistent and fair treatment for all candidates. There may be a misconception that examiners can allow in some subjective way for the life circumstances of individual students. This is not the case. Examiners are confined to applying the marking scheme to the work actually produced at the examination. An examiner has no scope to deviate from the marking scheme. Therefore it would be appreciated if schools could refrain from submitting letters seeking consideration in the marking or from advising candidates that such consideration is possible. That said, it is also important to point out that within the confines of our examination system, every possible effort is made by the SEC to accommodate candidates who suffer illness, bereavement or other trauma either immediately before or during the examinations. Each year, arrangements are made to cater for a wide range of emergencies. These include alterations to the standard examination timetable and special sittings in venues such as hospitals. The National Educational Psychological Service also assists schools and students in crisis situations during examinations.

17

Appendix A

Extract from Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools 2004/2005

SECTION XI - CONDUCT OF CANDIDATES DURING EXAMINATIONS 56. It is each candidate’s own responsibility to note carefully the days and hours, as fixed on the timetable, for the examinations in the subjects in which the candidate intends to present himself/herself. Candidates are required to be in attendance at the examination hall at least half an hour before the examination commences in the subject in which they first present themselves. On subsequent days they are required to be in attendance at least fifteen minutes before the hour stated in the timetable. Candidates will be responsible for making their own arrangements to ensure timely attendance at the examination hall. External candidates must sign an attendance roll (Form E10A) at the start of each examination. The signature on this roll must agree with and appear in the same format as that on the candidate’s I.D. Card. No candidate will be admitted to the examination in any paper after thirty minutes of the time for that paper have elapsed. 57. No candidate may be authorised to leave the examination hall until the expiration of thirty minutes from the time at which the examination began. 58. A candidate may not be permitted to leave the hall and return during the examination period unless the Superintendent is satisfied that the candidate’s need to leave the hall is genuine, (e.g. because of illness, urgent need to visit the toilet, etc.). A candidate who leaves the hall during any period of examination shall not be re-admitted during that period unless the candidate has been in the care of a representative of the school authority or, failing that, in the care of the Attendant during the entire period of the absence. The candidate must hand the answer book and Examination paper to the Superintendent on leaving the hall; the Superintendent should record on the cover of the answer book the time of departure from and return to the hall and the reason for the absence; the time lost by the candidate may not be compensated for at the close of the examination period. Particulars of any such occurrence should be reported on the appropriate Advice List. 59. A candidate who leaves the examination hall before the expiration of any period of examination must surrender his/her examination paper and answer book to the Superintendent. 60. A candidate must occupy during the entire examination the place first assigned to him/her by the Superintendent, unless otherwise directed by the Superintendent. 61. A candidate should raise his/her hand if he/she wishes to attract the attention of the Superintendent during the examination. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that he/she brings to the attention of the Superintendent if he/she has not been provided with the level of the examination paper at each examination that he/she is due to take. 62. No candidate shall write his/her name on any answer book or other paper supplied. The candidate’s number should be entered on every envelope, answer book, map, drawing, or

18

sheet of square paper used. Candidates should not commence writing until instructed to do so by the Superintendent. 63. A candidate must enter on the envelopes and answer books used by him/her the particulars required as to subject, etc. 64. Any additional answer book, squared paper, etc. issued to a candidate, whether used or unused, should be attached to his/her answer book before it is sealed with the treasury tag provided for that purpose. Candidates will be supplied with Formulae and Tables booklet by the Superintendent. They may not bring a copy of their own booklet into the examination hall. 65. A candidate shall not bring into the examination hall, or have in his/her possession or under his/her control or within his/her reach, whilst he/she is in such room –

(a) any book or paper (save his/her I.D. card, where such is required, the examination paper, and such answer books, etc., as shall have been supplied to him/her by the Superintendent); or

(b) any memorandum, notes or mobile phone, electronic address book, data bank, etc, except a calculator as permitted under the regulations or bi-lingual translation dictionary where its use has been approved.

66. In the case of Art examinations of a practical nature (i.e. drawing, craftwork), candidates are permitted to bring such materials into the Examination Hall as may be notified to schools by the SEC. 67. A candidate shall not, while in the Examination Hall –

(a) use, or attempt to use, any book, memorandum, notes or paper (save the examination paper and such answer books, etc., as shall have been supplied to him/her by the Superintendent and a bilingual translation dictionary where its use has been approved); or

(b) aid, or attempt to aid, another candidate; or (c) obtain, or attempt to obtain, aid from another candidate or Superintendent;

or (d) communicate, or attempt to communicate, in any way, with another candidate within the centre or by electronic means with a person outside the centre.

68. A candidate

(a) shall not write on the examination paper (except where answers are to be written on part of the examination paper itself) or I.D. card or Formulae and Tables booklet or on any of the mathematical instruments brought with him/her; except where a candidate uses a highlighter pen or underlining as an aid to interpreting the examination paper. (b) shall not write in his/her answer book anything that is not directly connected with the subject matter of the questions to be answered;

(c) shall not remove from the answer books any leaf or part of a leaf; (d) shall not take out, or attempt to take out, of the examination hall, any answer books, whether used or unused;

(e) shall not damage the examination hall or its furniture. 69. A candidate who has finished his/her work at least ten minutes before the time appointed for the conclusion of the examination may be permitted to leave the hall on handing up to the Superintendent – (a) his/her answer book(s) and (b) the examination paper. 70. A candidate who completes his/her work during the last ten minutes of the examination should remain in his/her seat until the Superintendent has collected his/her answer book(s) and he/she should not then leave the hall until the time appointed for the conclusion of the examination unless permitted to do so by the Superintendent.

19

71. At the conclusion of the examination each candidate who has not already done so should immediately seal his/her answer book(s) or envelope and remain in his/her seat until the Superintendent has collected the answer book(s). 72. A candidate shall, in all matters relative to the examination, submit to, and obey, the directions of the Superintendent. 73. In those subjects in which there is more than one paper, a candidate must take all the papers in a subject from one level, e.g. all papers at Ordinary Level or all at Higher Level. He/she may not be supplied with, or allowed to see, the papers in more than one level in the same subject. 74. Each candidate presenting himself/herself for examination in Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, Engineering, Materials Technology (Wood) or in Technical Graphics is required to bring with him/her a drawing board, T-square, scales, set squares, protractor, compass, pencil, eraser and drawing clips or tape. Candidates may use mathematical drawing instruments for all examinations. The use of science stencils is permitted for the examinations in the Science subjects. The use of string, thread, a magnifying glass and an opisometer is permitted for the examination in Geography. Unless otherwise stated in the specific syllabus and on the specific examination paper, the use of calculators is allowed in all examinations, subject to the following:

(a) Neither the Department of Education and Skills or the State Examinations Commision will supply calculators to candidates. Examination centres will not be responsible for the provision of calculators or batteries.

(b) The proper working condition of the calculator is the responsibility of the candidate. No allowance will be made for battery or other calculator failure during the examination. (c) Calculators must be silent and must not require the use of mains electricity supply.

(d) Calculators may not be borrowed from other candidates during the examination. (e) Programmable calculators are prohibited. The term “programmable” includes any calculator that is capable of storing a sequence of keystrokes that can be retrieved after the calculator is turned off or powers itself off. Note that the capacity to recall, edit and replay previously executed calculations does not render a calculator programmable, provided that this replay memory is automatically cleared when the calculator is powered off. Also, the facility to store numbers in one or more memory locations, does not render a calculator programmable. (f) Calculators with any of the following mathematical features are prohibited:

• graph plotting • equation solving • symbolic algebraic manipulation • numerical integration • numerical differentiation • matrix calculations

(g) Calculators with any of the following general features are prohibited:

20

• data banks • dictionaries • language translators • text retrieval • capability of remote communication.

(h) Candidates must indicate on their answer books the make and model of any calculator(s) used in the examination. (i) Candidates are not allowed to take an instruction manual into the examination hall. This includes instructions printed on the cover of the calculator. Any instructions printed on a casing that cannot be removed from the calculator must be securely covered

(j) Candidates may not turn on their calculators until the examination begins. This rule does not allow a candidate to bring into the examination centre any device that would be otherwise prohibited. In particular, mobile phones, electronic organisers or similar devices are not permitted under any circumstances (see rule 65 above).

75. A candidate may be expelled from the examination hall if his/her behaviour is such as to jeopardise the successful conduct of the examination. Submission of material of a pornographic nature or any other offensive material or the inclusion of any cash/cheque in the script may result in the examination in all subjects being disallowed. 76. Where the Commission forms the view that there has been a violation of these Rules, it should inform the Department and it will be for the Minister to decide on the penalty to be applied. Where the Minister is of the opinion that any candidate has violated any of these Rules, has attempted to obtain an examination result to which the candidate is not entitled, or has uttered or attempted to utter such a result or has furnished incorrect information in relation to his/her candidature, such candidate shall be liable to be deprived of the examination or of marks, or to have such deduction made as the Minister may think fit from any sum payable in respect of any grant or scholarship obtained by the candidate, according to the opinion which the Minister may form of the gravity of the offence; and the Minister may, if the Minister thinks fit, publish the candidate’s name and address, as given in the notice of intention to present for examination, as those of a candidate who has been so deprived and the Minister may, according to the opinion of the Minister as to the gravity of the offence, debar the candidate from entering for any of the examinations run by the Department of Education and Skills for such period as the Minister may determine.

21

APPENDIX B The Education Act, 1998, introduces new criminal offences which relate to the certificate examinations. A copy of the relevant provisions is reproduced here for your information.

Education Act,1998, Part VIII, Offences. 52.- (1) A person who- (a) knowingly and without lawful authority publishes an examination paper or part of

such paper to any other person prior to the holding of the examination concerned, (b) has in his or her possession without lawful authority an examination paper or part

of such paper prior to the holding of the examination concerned, (c) carries out any duties relating to the preparation of examination papers and

knowingly and without lawful authority provides a candidate for an examination or any other person with information concerning the material prepared by him or her in the course of those duties with the intention of conferring an advantage upon a candidate over other candidates,

(d) knowingly and wilfully credits a candidate with higher marks than the marks to

which that candidate was entitled with the intention of conferring an advantage on that candidate over other candidates,

(e) knowingly and maliciously credits a candidate with lower marks than the marks to

which that candidate was entitled, (f) personates a candidate at an examination or knowingly allows or assists a person

to personate a candidate at an examination, (g) knowingly and maliciously destroys or damages any material relating to an

examination, (h) knowingly and maliciously obstructs any candidate or a person engaged in the

conduct of an examination or otherwise interferes with the general conduct of an examination,

(i) knowingly and without lawful authority alters any certificate or any other record,

including a record in machine-readable form, containing the results of an examination or,

(j) knowingly issues or makes use of any certificate or other document which

purports to be a document issued by the person or body under whose authority the examination was conducted and to contain the results of an examination knowing that those results are false, shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person who knowingly aids, abets, counsels or procures another person to commit any offence under subsection (1) or conspires with another person for the commission of any such offence shall be guilty of an offence. (3) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable-

22

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or (at the discretion of the court) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £5,000 or (at the discretion of

the court) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both such a fine and such imprisonment.

(4) No action shall lie against an examiner in respect of anything done by him or her in good faith and in pursuance of his or her functions as an examiner.

23

FORM RAWP01

1 Reminder: CD and DVD formats are not necessarily compatible. Do not mix these formats when saving the candidate’s work. 2 E.g. MS Word, MS Works, Star Writer etc. 3 Secure packing means the use of a plastic wallet, bubble packing, a stiff cardboard sleeve etc.


Form to accompany scripts submitted in electronic format on a removable storage device

Exam

Level

Subject

Paper

Centre Number Separate Centre Number (where applicable)

Candidate Number

Device Format1 Software Package2

Was the computer virus checked before use? Has the candidate’s removable storage device been virus checked?

Yes / No (please circle)


Has a printout been made and included in the

candidate’s envelope?

Have the candidate’s files been erased from the

computer?



Have the removable storage devices been

securely packed3 for posting

Have the candidate’s files been correctly titled

and removable storage devices clearly labelled?



Were the grammar and spelling auto checkers enabled

Comments (continue overleaf if necessary)


Signed (Superintendent)

Date

A copy of this form should accompany each removable storage device.

Please photocopy this form for additional copies if necessary.

24

FORM RAWP01




Exam

Level

Subject

Paper


Candidate Number








computer?













Date



25

FORM RAWP01




Exam

Level

Subject

Paper


Candidate Number








computer?













Date



26

FORM RAWP01




Exam

Level

Subject

Paper


Candidate Number








computer?













Date



27

FORM RAWP01




Exam

Level

Subject

Paper


Candidate Number








computer?













Date



28

FORM RAWP01




Exam

Level

Subject

Paper


Candidate Number








computer?













Date



Date post:	28-Aug-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	trannhan
View:	221 times
Download:	0 times

State Examinations Commission · State Examinations Commission . ... All candidates who are entered...

Documents