Identification
When you are taking exams as a private candidate, the school or college needs to verify who you are.
If you are known to school or college staff
Even if you are known personally to staff at the school or college, you will need to be able to identify yourself to the exams invigilator. Please produce your ID at the beginning of any exam, controlled assessment, non-exam assessment, practical or speaking unit.
If you are not known to school or college staff
If you are not known to school or college staff, you will need to show a current and valid passport or driving licence with a photograph when you make your entry. You will also need to produce your ID at the beginning of any exam, controlled assessment, non-exam assessment, practical or speaking unit.
If you are not known to school or college staff and do not hold current ID
If you do not have a valid passport or driving licence with a photograph, you need to provide:
- a private candidate identification form completed and signed by a witness1
- two passport-sized photographs taken within the last 12 months, one of which must be signed on the reverse by a witness1.
1The witness must be a person who knows you and who is in one of the following categories:
- the head of an educational institution
- a medical practitioner
- a minister of religion
- a magistrate
- a solicitor
- a bank manager
- your employer.
You need to take the completed private candidate identification form with the two photographs to the school or college at the time you attend to make your entry.
Religious clothing
Where it is appropriate, you must agree to the arrangements for identifying all students wearing religious clothing, such as a veil. These arrangements are described in paragraph 16.3 of the JCQ instructions for conducting examinations.