Students in locations where centre based exams are not available may be able to take a remote session CBE. Information on the availability of centre based exams and availability of remotely invigilated exams for upcoming exam sessions can be found on our Covid-19 exam availability page.
Students must also ensure they have the necessary equipment, internet connectivity and exam environment to successfully run the exam. Watch our video for more information on what these requirements are.
If remote session CBEs are available in your location you will be able to book your exam using Exam Planner.
Watch our video on how book a remote session exam. Alternatively, follow our step-by-step booking guide
Remote session exams are charged at the same rate as our centre based exams.
Yes, you will be able to select a preferred timeslot for your exam within a specific timezone window based on your location. Timeslots are subject to availability and depending on your location you maybe presented with one or more timezone windows. Timezone window are represented by F1, F2 and F3 options during the booking process.
Depending on your exam you may also be able to select what week to sit your exam. Remote exams are held across 2 weeks with Applied Skills exam slots available in both week 1 and week 2. All other remote exams are only available in week 1.
For current timetabling information visit our remote session CBE timetable page.
View what computer/laptop equipment is allowed and what you can have on your desk
If the item is not listed within the diagram above it is not permitted for use in the exam. You will not be able to proceed with your exam if other items, such as additional computer hardware or scrap paper are included on your desk.
Additionally please ensure that your computer/laptop meets the minimum technical requirements to run the exam successfully. This includes specifications on what browser you can use and what settings should be applied. Additionally, work computers generally have more restrictions that may prevent successful delivery so we do not recommend their use.
View the minimum technical requirements
If your computer/laptop does not meet these requirements unfortunately you will not be able to take the exam successfully and you should therefore not enter for the exam. Additionally, we recommend using a 17 inch or larger monitor for the exam.
Whilst we aim for all students to have a successful exam experience, due to the nature of remote exams there is a risk of exams being disrupted by technical or connectivity issues. However, there are a number of steps you can take to greatly reduce this risk.
View the minimum technical requirements
Additionally, we recommend using a 17 inch or larger monitor for the exam.
The remote invigilation software locks the computer during the exam time meaning you cannot access any files or other programmes on the computer during that time.
However, you should close down any applications which are running in the background, except for Finder and OnVUE, when prompted during the check-in process. Any other applications running in the backing may interfere with the successful running of the exam. To close applications on Windows, you should open Task Manager by hitting CTRL + ALT + DELETE and selecting all applications, except for Finder and OnVUE, and ending these tasks.
You can sit your exam at home, or an alternative location such as your learning provider or in your office. However, there are some important regulations which must be followed regardless of where you sit your exam:
Unfortunately if your room does not meet all of these requirements you will be unable to start or complete your exam. Additionally to reduce the risk of you experiencing any technical issues during your exam, you should run the system test in the exact same location that you plan to sit your live exam.
Yes, as long as there is no writing, or notes, whiteboards with notes etc. If the invigilator is unsure of what is on the wall you may be asked to remove it.
You will not be issued an exam docket for a remote exam. However, you will be required to present photographic ID as proof of your identity during the check-in process. The following forms of ID are accepted:
No, invigilators are randomly allocated to students and may be from a different region from yourself. You should therefore expect any dialogue with your invigilator to be conducted in English.
However, there is no need to worry. Wherever you take your exam our exam regulations are the same and all invigilators have been fully trained in adminstering our exams.
For information on what you'll need to do to start your exam read our how to launch your remote session CBE guide.
Ahead of the exam we will provide specific guidance to those under the age of 18 on how to perform the check-in process for the exam. This information details that:
As long as you have started the check-in process 30 minutes before, or up to 15 minutes after your appointment time, even if you experience a delay in the exam being launched, you will still receive the full time for your exam. For example, if your exam is three hours and 10 minutes long, you will always be given the full exam time.
Unfortunately, we are not able to extend the time of the exam and the timer continues to run.
However, if you feel that you did not get your full time allocated, and if this impacted your performance, you should submit a mitigating circumstances claim to be considered as part of the results processing.
Yes, students can take one bathroom break of up to 5 minutes during the exam. Before doing so, students should advise the invigilator using the chat function that they are leaving their desk to use the bathroom. The exam timer will continue to run during a bathroom break and on returning to your desk you should use the chat function to let the invigilator you have returned and then you can immediately continue with your exam, however, you may be asked by the invigilator to verify your ID again.
It is important that you do not exceed the 5 minute time limit permitted as this may result in your exam being terminated.
After the check-in process has been completed, students should keep their phone in the room with them, but out of arm’s reach. The invigilator may use the chat function to indicate that they will call the student, or if connection has been lost with the invigilator, the student should expect a call on the number they entered during the check-in process. During the exam your phone should be kept on silent to avoid disruptions.
Items considered religious apparel are allowed following visual inspection by the invigilator. Visual inspection would be done without asking the candidate to remove or unwrap it, unless upon direct visual observation there is strong visual evidence that a prohibited item is concealed in it.
Yes you can wear a watch, as long as it is not a smart watch which are prohibited. You may also have a clock on the wall.
There is also an exam timer within the exam platform which will outline how much time you have remaining in your exam.
A noiseless, cordless pocket calculator which may be programmable but which must not have a printout or word display facility in any language may be used.
When you capture photographs of your desk, as part of the exam check-in process, ensure your calculator is included in the photograph of your desk. This will enable the invigilator to visually inspect your calculator.
No, speaking aloud during your exam is against the exam rules and regulations unless you are in contact with the invigilator to resolve a query.
A reliable internet connection is an essential minimum technical requirement for taking the exam. In the event of a connectivity interruption the exam software will save the exam and if immediate action is taken to restore the connection will allow you to restart your exam at the same point. We recommend using a wired connection as this will minimise the risk of connectivity issues disrupting your exam experience.
If you do experience a technical issue during the exam, you should immediately contact your invigilator if possible using the online chat functionality. If this is not possible, your invigilator may try to contact you by phone. If you are experiencing repeated disruptions or a disruption for longer than 5 minutes your exam maybe terminated. For further guidance including what to do next, please refer to our troubleshooting guide
Students can request mitigating circumstances or an administrative review following their exam/processing of results. View the deadlines for submitting these requests.
You will also receive an post-exam survey where you'll be invited to provide your feedback on your exam experience. We're always looking at ways we can help support and improve your exam experience, so we encourage all students to complete the survey if possible.
For exam security purposes, no paper is allowed on your desk. Instead to make rough notes during the exam you can use the digital scratchpad within the exam platform, which you can practice using on the CBE practice platform.
Maintaining the security of our exams is always a priority of ours. Remote session CBEs will be remotely invigilated, viewed on screen by an invigilator at all times, and will be as secure and rigorous as our centre-based exams.