We know booking examinations as a private candidate can sometimes feel complicated.
From choosing the right qualification and understanding fees to Access Arrangements, Science practicals and exam day, we’ve answered some of the questions candidates and parents ask us most often.
Try a different search term or contact our Exams Team for help.
Who can book, how to apply, resits, multiple subjects and what happens after you submit your application.
We accept private candidates across a growing range of GCSE, AS Level and A Level qualifications.
This includes home-educated learners, independent learners, adult candidates, candidates studying through online or distance-learning providers and candidates who need to resit a qualification.
No. You can sit your examinations with North West Education Hub regardless of where or how you have studied.
Bury Tuition Centre can provide tuition if you need additional support, but tuition is not a condition of sitting your examinations with us.
Start by completing our online examination application. You'll be asked for information about yourself, the examinations you want to sit and any additional requirements.
Our Exams Team will review your application before confirming your entry and final fees.
Book My ExamsNo. Your entry is not confirmed until we have accepted your application, confirmed the applicable fees and completed the required entry process.
Yes. You can request multiple qualifications as part of your application. Please provide the correct subject and qualification information for each examination.
Yes. We work with schools, local authorities, education providers and other organisations. Provide the organisation's details during the application or contact us when arranging examinations for several candidates.
Yes. We welcome candidates resitting GCSE, AS Level and A Level qualifications that we can offer. Please provide your previous entry details where possible, including your UCI.
AQA or OCR, specification codes, tiers, UCI, previous entries and changing exam boards.
We currently offer a selected and growing range of qualifications from AQA and OCR. Availability depends on the subject, qualification and specification.
View GCSE, AS & A Level ExamsA specification code identifies the exact qualification you are taking. Similar subject names can have different specifications, assessment requirements or awarding organisations.
Don't guess. Check with your tutor, school, online provider or awarding organisation. If you're still unsure, contact our Exams Team before applying.
UCI stands for Unique Candidate Identifier. It is a 13-character reference used to identify a candidate across examination entries and may appear on previous Statements of Entry or results information.
Yes. If you have previously been issued a UCI but cannot find it, tell us during your application. Do not guess or create a new UCI yourself.
Potentially, but check carefully. Different awarding organisations may use different specifications, content, assessment structures and requirements.
Where Foundation and Higher tiers apply, we need the correct tier before finalising your entry. If unsure, speak to your tutor or learning provider.
What's included, payment, late entry fees, cancellations, refunds and additional charges.
Fees vary by qualification, subject, awarding organisation and booking date. Our Exams & Fees page provides indicative prices.
View Exams & FeesThey are indicative. Your final fee is confirmed after we review your application and any practical, speaking, specialist or additional requirements.
It normally includes the awarding organisation entry fee, candidate registration, standard Centre administration and invigilation, facilities, communications, results administration and certificate collection. Additional services may be charged separately.
Awarding organisations operate entry deadlines and may charge more for later entries or amendments. Booking early gives you the lowest published Centre fee.
Potentially. Late entries depend on awarding organisation permission and Centre capacity. Higher fees apply.
After reviewing your application, our Exams Team confirms the fees and payment arrangements. Your entry is not processed until required payment and information are received.
Cancellation and refund arrangements depend on timing and whether your entry or services have been processed. Read the Examination Fees, Cancellation & Refund Policy before booking.
View Cancellation & Refund PolicyArrival times, ID requirements, what to bring, prohibited items, lateness, illness and missing exams.
Arrive 30 minutes before the start time communicated to you. Always follow the timetable and instructions issued by our Exams Team.
Follow the identification requirements communicated during registration and bring any required original photographic ID.
Tell us before exam day. You will need to complete the Candidate No Photo ID Form and follow the identification process explained during registration.
Bring black ink pens, permitted mathematical equipment, a compliant calculator where required, a transparent pencil case and the identification requested by the Centre.
You must not have a mobile phone, smart watch, watch, earbuds or other unauthorised electronic device in your possession during the examination.
Water may be permitted in a clear bottle with the label removed, subject to invigilator instructions.
Contact us immediately. Whether you can sit and whether your script can be accepted depends on the circumstances and regulations.
Contact us as soon as possible and do not simply fail to attend. Evidence may be required, and special consideration is only available in certain circumstances.
View Candidate InformationExtra time, evidence, assessments, fees, deadlines and what happens if you apply late.
Yes, where requirements are met and the arrangement can be approved and delivered under the relevant regulations. This may include extra time, supervised rest breaks, a word processor, reader or scribe.
No. Previous arrangements are useful evidence but do not automatically transfer. We must hold the required evidence and meet current regulatory requirements.
Potentially. Our SENCo will review it to decide whether it meets current requirements and whether further evidence or assessment is needed.
Where assessment or specialist review is required, our published £120 Access Arrangements fee may apply. We will explain this before proceeding.
As early as possible. Evidence, assessment and awarding organisation deadlines apply, and late applications may not be possible to accommodate.
View Access ArrangementsGCSE practical skills, A Level Practical Endorsement, number of practicals and previous endorsements.
No. GCSE Sciences do not have the separately reported A Level Practical Endorsement, although practical skills and knowledge form part of the specifications and written examinations.
A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics include a separately reported Practical Endorsement. Candidates normally complete the required work and demonstrate the required competencies.
Candidates are expected to undertake a minimum of 12 practical activities for the A Level endorsement. Precise requirements depend on the awarding organisation and specification.
Where required, we can support appropriate practical provision that meets awarding organisation requirements. Practical provision is charged separately.
View Science PracticalsNot necessarily. It may be carried forward when you resit, subject to awarding organisation rules and verification of your previous result. Tell us during your application.
Speaking assessments, available languages and what to expect.
We offer selected GCSE, AS Level and A Level language qualifications. Availability depends on the language, awarding organisation and required speaking assessment.
Some language qualifications include one. We must be able to provide the appropriate assessment arrangements and specialist staffing before accepting the entry.
Where the published fee includes standard speaking-component arrangements, this will be identified in our examination fees information. Additional requirements are confirmed before entry.
Results day, reviewing marks, scripts, certificates and collection.
We will contact candidates before results day to explain how and when nationally released results will be available.
View Results & Post-ResultsPost-results options may include Clerical Re-checks, Reviews of Marking, Priority Reviews and Access to Scripts. Strict deadlines apply.
Yes. Your mark or grade can go up, stay the same or go down. Written candidate consent is therefore required before certain services.
Depending on the qualification and awarding organisation, Access to Scripts may allow you to obtain a marked script. Deadlines vary according to purpose.
Awarding organisations issue certificates after results. We will contact you when yours is available and explain collection or delivery arrangements.
Tuition options, whether it's compulsory and support for resits.
Yes. North West Education Hub operates Bury Tuition Centre, offering tuition and examination preparation across a range of subjects and levels.
No. Tuition and examination services are separate. You can sit examinations with us regardless of where or how you study.
Yes, subject to tutor and subject availability. We can discuss suitable tuition options for additional support.
Find Out About TuitionIf your question isn't covered above, our Exams Team can help with entries, specifications, fees, deadlines, Access Arrangements, Science practicals, language assessments, existing bookings, exam day and results.
Information on this site is subject to change. Always follow the instructions issued to you by North West Education Hub and the relevant awarding organisation.
