International Exams Officer Newsletter
May 2026 |
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Welcome to your monthly Exams Officer newsletter |
As the May/June 2026 examination series begins, we would like to thank you for all the work you’ve done to prepare for this busy period.
In this edition, you’ll find:
- Support and guidance to help the series run smoothly
- Key dates and deadlines to keep you on track
- Updates on the topics exams officers ask about most
As always, we are here. If you need further support, reach out to us through the Pearson support portal.
Best wishes,
Pearson Communications |
Supporting our colleagues in the Middle East
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.
Explore our Middle East FAQs |
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This month's news and updates |
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Date |
Activity |
| 15 May |
Deadline to submit centre marks and moderation samples
International GCSE, IAL, Project qualifications |
| 1 July |
Special consideration deadline for IAL, AEA, International GCSE, PLSC, iPrimary and iLowerSecondary, Mathematics in Context, Level 2 Extended Mathematics Certificate |
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On 16 April, we brought our Pearson Exams Officer Support Facebook page together with the wider Pearson community on the main Pearson page.
If you already follow our page, you’ll be moved over automatically, there’s nothing you need to do. You’ll continue to receive the same high level of support who are here to help.
Join our new community group. |
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Join us on our 'Bitesize' webinars
Whether you're a new exams officer or just new to Pearson qualifications, you might have questions about the administration of these. We are running a series of interactive, engaging live events which are dedicated to specific admin processes, providing in depth guidance and include demonstrations on the completion of the process specified.
Join us for the next event to get you ready for the upcoming results days. |
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Results Readiness
16 July 2026
11:00-12:00 (GMT) 1 hour |
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Don't worry if you missed any! You can always watch the recording of past events on our support article. |
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Spring and summer: essential information |
With the May/June exams underway, we've put together this essential information article containing important knowledge on upcoming key dates, events, assessments, and available resources.
These include:
- Exam Paper Tracking
- Missing Labels, Registers & Returning Scripts
- Additional Exams Stationery
- Exam Timetables
- How to apply for Special Considerations
- Submitting and Amending Coursework Marks and Samples
- Secure Download Service
- Modified Papers
- Registrations & Exam Entries
- Results & Post-Results
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In the latest edition, JCQ bring you an extended summer series readiness special covering important areas to ensure you have a smooth series. |
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These include:
- Question paper security
- Receiving and checking exam materials
- Second pair of eyes check: see it, say it, log it
- Printing PDF question papers
- Reporting suspected malpractice
- Mobile phones and smart glasses
- Exam room and invigilation requirements
- Senior designated contacts
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We understand how stressful the May/June exam series can be for students. Therefore, maintaining the safety and welfare of your students is our top priority. We have a dedicated team who will respond urgently if you have safeguarding concerns that relate to your students’ examinations or assessments. An example of situations you may need to discuss with us could include:
- One of your candidates has expressed harmful views or threats to harm themselves or others in mock examinations and you are concerned they may write similar comments in upcoming examinations that could require urgent action.
- During internal verification processes, you discover that a student has completed a project on a harmful or inappropriate topic (pornography, extreme views, violence, crime, substance misuse or abuse).
Each year, our examiners refer hundreds of exam scripts to our team when they discover concerning images or text that students have drawn or written. Our Safeguarding Team will email your centre so that you can make sure that your students are safe and well. You are required to acknowledge receipt of the concern, so please ensure that your contact information is updated on EOL, your website, and on the NCN emergency contacts list. |
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Reporting malpractice & maladministration |
Ensure your colleagues are familiar with how to report suspected malpractice and maladministration.
Further information on malpractice can be found here:
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Reporting breaches of security |
The security of exam papers is important for ensuring that exams are fair for all students. In the event of any concerns about question paper security, please contact us immediately.
In the event of a confirmed breach of security at your centre (e.g. a pack of exam papers has been opened early by mistake) please contact Pearson on +44 (0)120 4770 696 (International centres). |
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Protecting the security of your students’ data and electronic question paper materials is critical and we are committed to working with you to keep this sensitive information secure.
Top tips:
- Remove for any staff who have left or moved roles and no longer need access
- Never use the same password for Edexcel Online that you use for other systems
- Never share your password with others
- See any suspicious activity on your EOL account? Reset your password immediately and report the activity to Pearson.
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NEA & Coursework marks and statement submission deadline |
The deadline for submitting your centre’s coursework marks for International A Level (IAL), International GCSE, Edexcel Certificate, and Project Qualifications is 15 May 2026.
Failure to submit the above will be treated as maladministration/malpractice.
Please ensure your centre is on track to meet the deadline. |
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Introducing Secure File Exchange for the May/June exam series |
This series, we’ve introduced Secure File Exchange, a new platform that replaces our previous Secure File Transfer (SFT) system. Secure File Exchange will be available during the May and June exam series when we need to share exam materials securely with centres.
Secure File Exchange allows us to send exam papers to you electronically when needed. You’ll sign in using the same login details you use for Edexcel Online. It uses the same multi‑factor authentication and avoids the account lockouts you may have experienced with the previous system.
We will only use Secure File Exchange if you can’t access a paper through Secure Download Service.
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Secure Download Service
We’ve made some important key changes to the Secure Download Service (SDS) that will significantly improve your experience when using this service for the forthcoming General Qualifications May/June 2026 exam series.
Read more for full details on the key changes and how they will make your use of the SDS service easier and smoother.
For standard and modified question papers (ordered through Access Arrangements Online), the release time of electronic question papers via SDS is 60 minutes before the published start time for each exam.
Audio files will be available 24 hours before the exam (or the Friday before, if the test is on a Monday), and transcripts will be available 1 hour before. |
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Keep your registrations on track |
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To make sure everything runs seamlessly for your learners, take a moment to double‑check that all registrations are correct and learner details are accurate. If something needs updating, don’t wait, as quick action now prevents delays later. |
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Here’s what to do:
Transfers: move learners to the right programme or centre before certification to keep progress on track.
Withdrawals and deletions: remove learners who won’t continue. Remember: deletions within 90 days (or 49 days for Higher Nationals) qualify for a refund if no units have been claimed.
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Quality assurance and assessment updates |
International standards verification for 2025–26 is now well underway.
If you need to check your ISV allocation, you can in a few simple steps. Once you’re logged into Edexcel Online:
- Select BTEC & Functional Skills from the qualification drop-down
- Go to Quality Assurance → External Verification → International Allocations
You’ll see which programmes have been allocated to an ISV, and which are still waiting for allocation. |
What should happen before sampling?
Your allocated ISV will contact you and together, you’ll:
- Confirm whether verification will take place remotely or in person
- Agree a sampling date that works for you
- Review any action points from your previous visit
- Confirm the programmes allocated and whether certification can be released
For more information you can explore our quality assurance handbook, forms and guides.
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Find out everything you need to know to manage examinations and administer our qualifications.
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Our new dedicated space for exams officer training created to offer enhanced support.
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JCQ
Published on 16 April 2026.
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Ofqual
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The Exams Office
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