The latest updates from OCR

With the main exam series beginning next week,?we'd like to say?good luck?to students and a big thank you for all your?hard work preparing them for their first exams. It's?been a challenging few years and everyone has worked so hard to get to where we are now. Many of your students are now on the verge of sitting their first exams and will be understandably nervous. Likewise, many of you might be feeling anxious.

We've got lots of?support?for students to support them in the lead up to their exams, but also to help them on exam day. You'll find a wealth of wellbeing and mental health support and resources too - you might have seen us sharing some for?Mental Health Awareness Week.

If you need any further support, take a look at our?supporting you webpages. You can also get in touch with our Customer Support Centre or your Subject Team who are on hand to answer any queries you may have.

Recent updates:?

• we've produced a?timeline?for summer 2022 exams and results
• check out the JCQ's new?package of support infographic?for you to share with your students.?

In this week's roundup:

• ?? important deadlines - a reminder!
• a recap of the latest exam guidance from JCQ
• some guidance and tips for your students on exam day
• the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual have confirmed the adaptations in place for 2022 that will be removed next academic year.

Finally, from everyone here at OCR,?we'd like to wish you?all the best?for the upcoming exams!

Upcoming deadlines: 15 May 2022 for...

1. Mark submission deadline for all qualifications (except AS, A Level and GCSE PE*?and AS/A Level Art and Design)
2. For GCSE Computer Science, the?practical programming statement?must be completed by your Head of Centre or Head of Department and submitted to us
3. Requesting a reduction in assessment for Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals.

JCQ: summer 2022 exams and assessments

In case you missed it, here's some of the latest exams guidance JCQ has published:

• Managing exams in summer 2022?
• Senior Leadership Team's guide to Summer 2022 exams and assessments?- please share with Heads of Centre and Senior Leaders
• Special consideration guidance.

Guidance and tips for exam day

Our 'Student Guide'?provides students with some handy information for exam day, including exam guidelines and tips for during the exam.

They can also check out our?student support pages?for revision tips and wellbeing support.

Keep an eye on our social channels as we'll be posting do's and don'ts, hints and tips and more support over the next few weeks.

Some levels of stress at exam time are normal and manageable.?If your students are feeling worried or anxious, it can really help to talk to someone they trust.?If they don’t want to talk to somebody face-to-face, here are some organisations which can provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please do share these with parents:?

• Young Minds
• The Mix?
• Childline
• The Samaritans
• Papyrus UK
• Kooth

We've also created a?webpage full of support and resources?for Mental Health Awareness Week that you and your students might find helpful.?

Qualification adaptations 2023

The DfE and Ofqual have?confirmed?that the 2022 adaptations for AS, A Levels and GCSEs will not be taken forward for the next academic year given that public health restrictions are no longer in place.?

The DfE and Ofqual will continue to evaluate other 2022 arrangements such as exam aids and advance information, the approach to grading and the exam timetable before finalising what's in place for 2023.

Read our summary?on our Policy page