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The examinations will be held mainly at Heythrop College, University of London, Kensington Square, London W8 5HN, which is only a few minutes walk from Ashbourne. These premises were formerly owned by The Maria Assumpta Centre. Practical science examinations are usually held in the Ashbourne Laboratories.

Timings The timings are laid down by the examination boards, not by Ashbourne and so cannot be varied. If students have a clash, i.e. two different subjects at the same time, or that they have more than a total of four hours including any extra time in one session, they must tell the College, so that alterations to timetable can be made. Mornings: When traveling into Ashbourne students should allow more time than normal Students should be present at the venue by 08:45 at the very latest for a prompt 09:00 start. Even if students are only doing the second Continue Reading →

Equipment: · All candidates should make sure they have at least two black pens, a ruler, pencil, rubber, and sharpener · For some subjects colours may be needed · Maths instruments (if appropriate) · A calculator (if allowed, and only of the approved sort – students should check with their teachers) · A clear, see-through bag or pencil case to contain the above · Candidates should have their Statement of Entry and some form of ID (e.g. student card, driving iicence or passport) · Books and studies for certain examinations where they are allowed (e.g. some English and Drama, though Continue Reading →

When are mock examinations taken at Ashbourne? Ashbourne holds a “mini-mock” week every half term. Usually this takes place in the penultimate week of each half term. The first mini-mock session of this academic year took place in the week beginning Monday 12th October. The next mini-mock examination week will take place in the week beginning Monday 30th November. There is a further mock examination in the week following the Easter Break. Who has to take a mock examination? Every student at the College is expected to sit a mock examination in every subject they study every half term. The Continue Reading →

Everyone has their own ideas about the best way to revise and you may, by now, have your own tried and tested techniques that work for you. For your interest, we have listed below some revision tips we hope you find useful. Create a timetable that is realistic, but allows you to cover all the topics you require. Students should revise in short bursts with plenty of breaks. A rule of thumb from experimental psychology is that our attention span deteriorates rapidly after 45 minutes of study. Therefore each revision session should terminate after 45 minutes. You should then allow Continue Reading →

Ashbourne has decided to introduce a new examination payment scheme for the 2009/2010 academic year. In the past, Ashbourne charged a fee per module. However, we have now decided to charge for entries on a subject-by-subject basis, allowing unlimited module entries for each A Level subject. The costs for these examinations will be split over two years. Therefore, even though students are likely to sit more examinations during their A2 year than their AS year, they will be charged the same amount each year, to keep things simple. Costs Ashbourne will charge £125 per subject per year for A Level Continue Reading →

If the outcome of your examinations is important to you, you will be nervous before you take them. When there is a great deal riding on the outcome of an event, you will naturally be tense and worried about it going wrong. In many ways, it’s a bit like gambling or watching a football match! But, unlike these events, you can be in a position to influence the outcome. The better your preparation, the better your chances of getting the outcome you want. Try some of these tips during and just before your exams: You may find that reading over Continue Reading →

Students should go to the toilet before entering the hall. If there is an urgent need during the examination, an invigilator will have to go too! Coats, hats, bags will be left usually at the back of the hall. Valuables can be handed to the invigilator for safe-keeping. The Hall is a place of silence. There must be no communication whatsoever between students. If there is a need to speak to the Invigilator, a student should just raise his or her hand and wait for him or her to come to them. The Hall will be set out with the Continue Reading →