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Exam Entry & Registration

Otio Academy is partnered with Tutors & Exams, one of the UK's leading private exam centres. This partnership means your child can sit GCSEs, iGCSEs, A-Levels, and International A-Levels as a private candidate — with full support from us every step of the way. All Otio Academy families receive a 15% discount across most exam entries.

What Is a Private Candidate?

A private candidate is someone who sits exams at an approved centre without being enrolled as a student there. Under JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) regulations, you qualify as a private candidate if you are home-educated, self-taught, studying through a distance learning provider, or receiving private tuition. As an Otio Academy student, your child is a private candidate — and we handle the registration process for you through our partnership with Tutors & Exams.

Private candidates must sit their exams at an approved centre within the UK. They are responsible for confirming their qualification, subject, and exam board, and for arranging any access arrangements at the time of entry. We take care of all of this on your behalf.

How It Works

  1. Choose your subjects. Work through the curriculum at your own pace with our AI-powered learning platform.
  2. We handle registration. When your child is ready, we register them with Tutors & Exams as a private candidate for their chosen subjects and exam board. Your 15% discount is applied automatically.
  3. Sit the exam. Your child attends a Tutors & Exams centre or, where available, sits the exam remotely under online invigilation.
  4. Receive results. Results are issued directly to the student, just like at any school.

Supported Exam Boards

We are exam-board agnostic. Through Tutors & Exams, your child can sit exams with:

  • Edexcel / Pearson
  • AQA
  • Cambridge (CAIE)
  • OCR
  • WJEC / Eduqas
  • Pearson International

Exam Centre Locations

Tutors & Exams operates centres across the UK including Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots, and Taunton. Science lab facilities are available at select locations for practical assessments. We will help you find the most convenient centre for your child.

Exam Series & Entry Deadlines (2025–26)

January 2026

Pearson International A Levels only.

  • Entry deadline: 3rd October 2025

Summer 2026

All specifications — GCSEs, iGCSEs, A Levels, and International A Levels.

  • Standard entry deadline: 15th February 2026
  • Late fees apply: from 16th February 2026
  • High late fees apply: from 8th April 2026
  • Cambridge (CIE) cut-off: 17th April 2026

Autumn 2026

Pearson International A Levels, iGCSEs, and GCSE English & Maths resits.

  • Entry deadlines to be confirmed.

Access Arrangements

If your child has a diagnosed learning difficulty, disability, or temporary injury, they may be entitled to access arrangements under the Equality Act 2010. These are adjustments that allow candidates to participate in assessments without changing the demands of the assessment itself. Common arrangements include:

  • Extra time (typically 25%)
  • Rest breaks
  • A reader or scribe
  • Use of a word processor
  • Modified papers (enlarged print, Braille)
  • Separate room invigilation
  • Personalised requirements (e.g. noise suppression, fidget aids)

We work with Tutors & Exams to ensure these accommodations are arranged well before exam day. Their SEN specialist will discuss what evidence is required and complete all the necessary JCQ paperwork. Learner appointments are available Monday to Friday during term time.

Access arrangements through Tutors & Exams are provided free at point of delivery for candidates who book their exams directly. However, resources such as single rooms for readers/scribes are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Access Arrangements Deadlines

Summer 2026

  • Cambridge modified papers: 5th January 2026
  • Cambridge access arrangements (including evidence): 12th January 2026
  • JCQ modified papers: 12th January 2026
  • JCQ access arrangements (including evidence): 26th January 2026

Autumn 2026

  • Cambridge: 22nd June 2026
  • JCQ: 7th September 2026

January 2027

  • Deadlines to be confirmed.

Remote Invigilation

For certain Pearson International GCSE and A/AS Level subjects, your child can sit exams from home through a remote invigilation service run in partnership between Tutors & Exams and Pearson. This means no travel — the exam is taken online under supervised conditions.

How Remote Invigilation Works

  • Your child takes the exam at home using a laptop with webcam and a second device to record the session.
  • A parent or guardian must be present to supervise at all times.
  • Paper-based exams require printing answer booklets beforehand, then scanning and uploading completed scripts.
  • Onscreen exams are taken directly on the computer.
  • A compulsory familiarisation session takes place before the exam window.
  • Speaking tests for languages are conducted onscreen.

Subjects Available for Remote Invigilation

Pearson International GCSE (Summer and Autumn series only):

  • Mathematics A, Further Mathematics
  • Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science (Double Award)
  • English Language A, English Literature
  • Economics, History, Business, Geography
  • French, German, Spanish (including speaking tests)
  • Religious Studies

Pearson International AS & A Level:

  • Biology, Chemistry, Physics
  • Business, Economics
  • History, Psychology, Geography
  • Mathematics (including Further Maths, Mechanics, Statistics)
  • English Language, English Literature
  • French, German, Spanish (Units 2 and 4 only)
  • Law

Remote Invigilation Costs

In addition to the standard exam fees, there is a remote invigilation fee of £300 per subject for International GCSEs, or £150 per unit for International AS/A Levels (plus VAT where applicable). This covers the Pearson-managed invigilation, familiarisation sessions, and platform access.

Equipment Needed

  • A laptop with webcam and screen-sharing capability
  • A second device (e.g. phone or tablet) to record the exam
  • A reliable internet connection
  • A good-quality printer (for paper-based exams)
  • A valid photo ID for identity verification

Remote Invigilation Access Arrangements

The following access arrangements can be accommodated for remote exams:

  • Extra time
  • Rest breaks
  • Personalised requirements (noise machines, ear defenders, fidget aids)

Reader and scribe arrangements are not available for remote invigilation.

Coursework & Non-Exam Assessment (NEA)

We fully support any subject where coursework or NEA represents 25% or less of the total grade. For subjects with a higher coursework component — such as Music, Art, Drama, or Design & Technology — we provide structured guidance, mentoring, and help with exam entry so your child can still achieve a recognised qualification.

Tutors & Exams can accept and submit coursework on your child's behalf. Science practical assessments are available at select centre locations with lab facilities.

Ready to Get Started?

If your child is preparing for exams or you have questions about the registration process, contact us and we'll guide you through everything.