‘Mobile phone for Christmas? - Don’t take it into the exam hall’ warns regulator
Friday, 07 January 2011 11:41
Young people who received mobile phones for Christmas are being warned not to take their prized new possessions into the examinations hall.
Ofqual is reminding candidates ahead of the forthcoming GCSE and GCE examination series that they risk being disqualified if they take a phone or other electronic communications device in with them.
Figures released recently by the regulator showed more than 1,300 penalties were issued to students during the summer 2010 examination series after they were found with a mobile phone or other banned device.
Penalties can include a warning, loss of marks or disqualification. Candidates risk facing these even if the device is in a bag and switched off.
Isabel Nisbet, Chief Executive of Ofqual, said: "Mobile phones and other devices such as mp3 players are popular Christmas presents. But we don’t want the festive joy to turn to examination upset.
"The message to all candidates is clear - do not take mobile phones into the examinations room, you will be caught and may even lose your whole qualification.
"They have to realise that just taking the phone into the room will be classed as cheating even if they have no intention of using it."
The 1,377 penalties issued during the summer 2010 examination series to candidates found with a mobile phone or other electronic communications device, were reported in the Malpractice in GCSE and GCE statistical bulletin which was published by Ofqual in December. The report also stated that the total number of penalties issues to candidates across the full range of malpractice categories was 4,131.
"While it is vital that students are aware of the risks they are taking with mobile phones, I would also like to stress that the majority of candidates do not cheat," added Isabel.
"The proportion of candidates penalised for malpractice in summer 2010 was only 0.03 per cent of the total number of candidates sitting examinations."
The winter examination series, which includes GCSE and GCE papers, starts on Monday (January 10).
The Malpractice in GCSE and GCE statistical bulletin for the summer 2010 examination series can be found at http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/research-and-statistics/statistics/published-statistics
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) publishes guidance for centres and examinations officers for dealing with suspected malpractice. It can be found at http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/1114/16.%20JCQ%20Suspected%20Malpractice%2010-11.pdf
Notes to editors
- Ofqual has also recently assured candidates that contingency measures are in place should adverse weather be experienced during the forthcoming exam season. More information can be found at http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/news-and-announcements/161/524
