We know many centres are experiencing disruption due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to stay informed.

Exams are cancelled in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. Centres should follow the process outlined by Pearson for exams in these countries.

Our support page brings together the latest updates and guidance to help you navigate upcoming teaching, learning and assessment activity.

We’ll continue to contact you directly if anything changes that affects your centre, but you can always check back here for the most up-to-date information.

Maintaining question paper security is key to upholding the integrity of qualifications and ensuring exams are fair for all candidates.

Below are some reminders which we hope you’ll find useful:

We recently held an online session on exam admin and question paper security – you can access the recording via the Pearson Development Hub. 

During exam series, there are so many things happening simultaneously that mistakes can happen all too easily. To reduce the risk of opening the incorrect question paper, JCQ now requires a second pair of eyes check to be completed before any packet is opened. This includes completing the second pair of eyes check form. (JCQ ICE sections 2.8 and 5.2-5.5).

This must take place immediately before each question paper packet is opened in the designated examination room.

If the question paper packet needs to be split for different rooms on one or more sites or for an access arrangement, the check must take place in the secure room.

JCQ recommends that centres take an ‘eyes and ears’ approach to the second pair of eyes check, in which one person reads the information on the front of the question paper pack to the second person. This should help ensure that any issues with the information on a pack are more likely to be identified.

If you find that a question paper packet has been opened by mistake, contact us immediately.

The JCQ website also contains the following useful documents:

Did you know that in the summer 2025 exam series, there were over 2,200 candidate malpractice cases where sanctions were issued because candidates were in possession of mobile phones and other communication devices?

Candidates often don’t want to part with their devices, even for exams.

Make sure your candidates and their parents/carers are fully aware of the rules relating to phones and other devices. Just being in possession of a device will result in 0 marks for that exam.

Think about the measures your centre can take to help prevent this malpractice.

One type of electronic communication device which is becoming more common is smart glasses. Smart glasses can be connected to a user’s phone or other device and can be used to access the internet, use AI tools, take photos, and access device data. These may have tiny speakers in the arm of the glasses and can also have video cameras in the corner of the lens.

As these are also becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to spot, make sure you, your exam team and invigilators know how to identify these prohibited items and that you liaise with your colleagues to know which students routinely wear smart glasses, and that these students know they can’t wear them for exams.

Looking ahead to the examination series, you can find all the dates which we will begin sending materials to your centre on our support article.

Please ensure colleagues are aware that secure materials will be arriving shortly and understand the process for securing them on delivery. Any issues must be reported to Pearson immediately. Deliveries attempted outside of working hours must be refused and rearranged for delivery when main reception is open.