We are very pleased to welcome private candidates to take exams with us. We offer GCSE, AS and A Level exams with all exam boards apart from CIE. Private candidates do not have to use the same exam board as our own students do – you have a free choice! We offer both the summer and the November exam sessions.
It is important to note that our exams team is unable to advise on which exam boards or specifications you should enter for your subjects. If you are unsure of the correct specification, you must:
- Check the qualification details directly on the relevant awarding body’s website.
- Speak to your parent/carer or the person supporting your teaching for guidance.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are entered for the correct specification.
There are some restrictions on the subjects that can be taken. We cannot accept candidates for controlled assessments, coursework units, spoken and practical units. However, if you have previously taken any of these types of assessments and the specification allows, we may be able to carry the marks forward and accept entry for the remaining unit(s). Awarding bodies may be able to advise or suggest an alternative if the exam you want is not available.
We also offer on-demand exams, such as Functional Skills and AAT. We cannot accommodate any internally assessed units; therefore, you must have previous evidence of achievement.
We have many private candidates taking exams with us every year, including those who are home-schooled or resitting, as well as adults seeking qualifications for a career change or simply taking a subject for personal interest.
We know that taking exams is stressful so we try to do all we can to minimise anxiety.
The college will require private candidates who are not known to the centre to confirm their identity prior to being entered for an exam. Candidates will be required to submit photo ID before entries can be made. If candidates do not have a valid passport or a photo driving licence they will need to provide:
- Private candidate identification form
- A photograph taken within the last 12 months, one of which must be verified by a witness.
We will email you more information on the requirements and how to do this when we process your initial enquiry.
Access Arrangements allow candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment. For example, readers, scribes and Braille question papers. In this way Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.
Nottingham College Learning Support Team must undertake the necessary and appropriate steps to gather an appropriate picture of need and demonstrate normal way of working for a private candidate. This includes distance learners and home educated students. Our centre, where required, must lead on the assessment process. The candidate must be assessed by the centre’s appointed assessor.
If you would like to request an assessment, please request this in your initial enquiry. A member of our Learning Support Team will then contact you to discuss this further. This will include a fee of up to £250 which will need to be paid in full prior to your assessment.
For more information and guidance, please view the JCQ website.
- Make sure you have read all the information on our website relating to Exam Services.
- Read the Private Candidate Exam Policy.
- Be aware of the dates for when the window opens and the deadlines.
- Ensure you have the correct information for the exams you wish to be entered for, this should include the Awarding Body, specification codes and Title.
- If you wish to carry forward any NEAs (Non-Exam Assessments) make sure you have your UCI (Unique Candidate Identifier) to hand. You should be able to find this on previous statement of provisional results or certificates.
- Complete the form with correct information and add any additional notes that may help with your enquiry and submit.
- You will be required to provide a form of Identification before we can confirm your entry.
- A member of the Exam Team will process your enquiry within seven working days
- You will receive an email with an attached Provisional Letter with the details of the exams you requested and fees that will need to be paid and how to make payment.
- If we are unable to process your provisional request and need further information one of the exams team will contact to discuss any information needed to continue with your request.
- If you have checked all the details and wish to proceed with your request you will be required to upload photo identification, details on how will be included in your ‘Provisional Letter’.
- When you have uploaded your Identification, you can make payment by contacting the Exams Helpdesk.
- Your entry(s) will be confirmed when all fees have been paid. Your confirmation letter will include your entries and exam dates and start times. This will also include how to access your ‘My Nottingham College’ account to view details on exam locations, rooms and Information to Candidates.
Key Dates
Enquiries for the GCSE, IGCSE, and A Level series can only be submitted once the entry period opens. Please refer to the dates listed below.
| Examination series | Entry opens | Entry deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 - GCSE, iGCSE & A Level | 21st November 2025 | 29th January 2026 |
| On demand entries - Online AAT & Functional Skills | On demand | No entry deadline but six weeks’ notice is required for all exams. |
Fees
(e.g. If one A Level Subject has 3 units, all exams will cost £420 in total, 3 x £140)
Please note all fees are non-refundable. These include the following fees – Awarding body registration fee(s); Invigilation fees; rooming costs and all administration and certification costs.
| Examination type | Fee |
|---|---|
| A Levels | £140 per A Level exam paper |
| GCSEs/i‑GCSEs | £120 per exam paper |
| Functional Skills |
Maths (£120 per exam paper) English (£120 per exam paper, reading/writing units only) |
| AAT | £140 per exam paper |
| Other | Enquiries dependant on specification |
Late Entry Fees
Where applicable, a £100 late fee will be applied this will be in addition to the standard exam fees.
| Series | Examination type | £100 late fee per subject will apply for entries made on or after this date | Late entry deadline, entries will not be accepted after this date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | GCSE, IGCSE, A Levels | 30th January 2026 | 20th March 2026 |
Enquiries for the GCSE, IGCSE, and A Level series can only be submitted once the entry period opens and will be available under the examination series option. Please refer to the key dates above. Entries will not be accepted outside of the entry period for these exams.
Private Exam Entry Request
The information submitted through this form will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
