From Paper to People: The Hidden Challenges of Exam Season
We have just completed the first week of the main summer exam timetable. This is a milestone that comes with both relief and renewed focus for exams officers, invigilators, teachers and school leaders. This time of year, always brings a unique mix of adrenaline and anxiety. Summer 2026 has certainly proved no different so far.
What’s most clear, right from the outset, is that the smooth running of the exam season is not, nor has it ever been, down to any one individual. Behind every successful day in the exam hall is a network of people and organisations: from internal colleagues like senior leadership, IT, site teams and teaching staff, to external partners such as courier companies and regulatory bodies. This year’s early feedback from our online community makes it clear that teamwork is as vital as ever.
Key Themes From the First Week
As we talk to colleagues across centres and within our online community a number of common challenges are emerging, not necessarily in the conduct inside the exam room, but in the broader landscape around it.
Centres report incidents where exam question papers were released immediately online after all candidates finished, but exam staff can not give centre staff unused exam question papers until 24 hours* after the awarding bodies published finishing time of the examination.
As digital risks evolve, so too must our vigilance and our processes for keeping assessment materials secure. This is an area where both internal education and stronger partnerships with external regulators and service providers can make a difference. Exam staff also report getting challenged within the centre for adhering to this Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulation.
*(JCQ 31.1 ICE Booklet pg 60)
Logistical Challenges: Working With Partners
No summer series would be complete without mention of the logistical hurdles involved. Parcelforce are contracted to what is called the Yellow Label Service. Courier collections, so crucial for the secure transfer of scripts, have been a particular pain point in the first week. Colleagues have shared their frustrations when drivers arrive outside agreed windows, unrealistic hours of collection, or fail to arrive altogether, resulting in scripts not being collected on time.
While we acknowledge the pressures on delivery services at this time of year, prompt and reliable collections are non-negotiable for exam security and efficiency.
Digital Developments: Room for Improvement
This year digital exam question paper downloads and access have come under criticism again. Digital downloads are commonly used when computer software is needed for students with access arrangements or when students need a specific coloured exam question paper.
Centres have found that pre-ordered digital papers were unavailable at the required time or those that are supposed to be automatically available are not – these situations are leading to last-minute disruptions. Or the awarding body security systems constantly sending different access codes – none of which seem to work. Sometimes the codes do not come through at all.
One of the awarding bodies (AQA) now have said their secure digital exam question papers will be able to be downloaded 90 minutes before the official exam start time but the other awarding bodies currently are sticking at 60 minutes.
Staff should be able to rely on robust consistent systems and timely support, especially when the stakes are so high for students and staff.
Reflections on Regulation and Communication
As always, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and other regulatory bodies are working hard to clarify expectations and support centres. However, some changes such as the most recent update/change around the handling of doodling paper* seem to come at challenging times. The questions and uncertainties raised by colleagues could perhaps have been addressed earlier or with more direct guidance, allowing exams officers to focus on the tasks that matter most at this time.
We recognise the complexity of managing a national exam season, and we appreciate the efforts of all involved. Nonetheless, it is reasonable for exams teams to expect clear, timely and accessible communication from those setting the rules. No one wants to be left deciphering a newsletter when there are pressing logistics and candidate needs to manage.
The Importance of Community and Feedback
What stands out above all is the willingness of exams staff to share experiences, offer solutions and support each other within our free to access community. Our collective feedback, gathered from schools, colleges, and other centres, is invaluable, not only for identifying areas for improvement but also for highlighting what is working well. We encourage everyone to continue sharing their experiences, whether by reporting issues to awarding bodies and/or contributing to best practice forums.
Looking Ahead
As we enter the next phase of the exam season, let’s remember that delivering a successful series is a team effort, relying on open lines of communication and mutual support at every level. Whether you are an exams officer/manager, a member of senior leadership, a courier driver, or a representative from a regulatory body, your contribution is vital. Let’s keep working together, learning from each week and striving to make the summer series as fair, secure and efficient as possible for every candidate.
If you have feedback, ideas, or concerns, please continue to share them. Only through collaboration can we ensure that every student’s hard work is properly supported and celebrated.
Amid these challenges, one issue stands out and deserves immediate attention: a large number of exam staff are reporting working long days without a break. The demands of the season can make it easy to overlook the well-being of those at the heart of the process. So, if you do one thing after reading this blog – please go and ask your exams officer or exams team if they are okay! A small gesture of support and appreciation can make a big difference during these stressful weeks. If you need some external support get in touch about our mentoring service.
Written by Paula Wood.
Company Founder and Director
Exam Officers & Data Solutions Ltd