It is the aim of Millbay Academy to make the examination experience as successful and stress-free as possible for all candidates and their parents/guardians.

We are currently registered with the following Exam Boards (or Awarding Bodies) for our GCSE and Vocational Qualifications:

• AQA
• Pearson/EdExcel
• OCR
• WJEC

The JCQ and Exam Boards set down strict criteria which must be followed for the conduct of examinations and Millbay Academy is required to follow them precisely. You should, therefore, pay particular attention to the JCQ documents which contain important information for candidates and can be found below – all candidates must read these documents.

If you have any queries or need help or advice at any time before, during or after the examinations please contact:

• Your Tutor
• Your Head of Key Stage, Stacey Tonkin
• The Examinations Officer is Jo Starr

Examinations Officer

Mrs Jo Starr

Please contact Jo if you have any queries or concerns regarding the examination process or results exams@millbayacademy.org

Illness and Absence From Examinations

Should any student be unable to attend an examination because of illness or emergency it is vital that parents inform the School as soon as possible.

All absences from examinations for medical reasons must be supported by a Medical Certificate obtained from your doctor., within 5 days of the illness. Without such proof of illness, the examination authorities can refuse to give any special consideration.

If a delay occurs on the way to an examination which means that a student may miss the start time of an exam, please inform the school as soon as possible and students must continue to come into school and report to reception upon arrival.

Millbay Academy Exam policies – School Policies for exams are available upon request to exams@millbayacademy.org

JCQ Information for Candidates can be found on the JCQ website –

JCQ Website

On our POLICIES section you will find detailed information about our Exams Policies.

Please find more information follow the link below, which will direct you to an explanatory video.

What GCSEs Are

GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education) are the main qualifications taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at age 16. They mark the end of secondary school and open pathways to sixth form, apprenticeships, and further education.

How GCSE Exams Are Structured

GCSE assessment typically includes:

• Formal written examinations
• Controlled assessments or coursework (subject‑dependent)
• Practical components (e.g., science practical endorsements, art portfolios)
• A 9–1 grading system, where 9 is the highest and 1 is the lowest

Most subjects are assessed mainly through written exams taken in May and June of Year 11. Some subjects may include additional components such as speaking assessments (languages) or practical work (sciences, arts).

Exam Boards

GCSEs are set by national exam boards, each with slightly different paper formats and question styles:

• AQA
• Edexcel (Pearson)
• OCR
• WJEC/Eduqas

All boards follow the national curriculum but differ in structure, number of papers, and mark schemes.

What GCSEs Assess

GCSE exams are designed to test:

• Knowledge recall
• Application of skills
• Problem‑solving
• Critical thinking
• Subject‑specific skills (e.g., analysis in English, calculations in Maths)

Grading System (9–1)

The current GCSE grading scale is:

• 9 = High A*
• 7 = A
• 5 = Strong pass
• 4 = Standard pass
• 1 = Lowest grade
• U = Ungraded

When GCSEs Are Taken

• Main exam season: May–June of Year 11
• Some subjects may be taken early
• Resits for English and Maths: November
• Other subjects: Summer resits

Revision & Preparation

Effective preparation includes:

• Creating a revision timetable
• Using past papers
• Practising exam‑style questions
• Reviewing exam specifications
• Maintaining good wellbeing

Why Understanding the Structure Matters

Knowing the exam format helps students:

• Revise the right content
• Practise the correct question styles
• Manage time effectively
• Reduce exam anxiety
• Improve performance