Booking exams with NEC
Many of our online distance learning courses require exams to achieve your qualification. While our courses are flexible in terms of study schedule, exam dates are set by the awarding organisation.
Our GCSE and A level courses are offered in conjunction with leading UK examination boards, and exams are strictly regulated, taken on specific dates at registered exam centres.
For some courses, offered with professional awarding bodies, assessments may include assignments or portfolio of work rather than formal exams.
As an approved centre, we facilitate both exam and non-exam assessments, including:
- Written exams
- Oral exams
- Coursework
- Practical science endorsements
- Spoken language endorsements
Course-specific pages will outline the requirements for your course.
For any questions or to learn more about booking exams with NEC, contact our team – we’re happy to help!
Download our exams handbook
For further information about how NEC support our students with exam bookings, please download our exam guide. It contains all the information you need to know on how to arrange your exams.
Download our exams handbook for those overseas
Travelling to the UK for exams or sitting exams in your home country, this NEC guidebook will introduce to our exam partners and help you prepare for your exams.
What you need to know about exams and assessments
Exam place guaranteed
At NEC, we understand that finding an exam centre and making sure you’re correctly entered can be stressful. That’s why we offer a guaranteed exam place for our students at one of our partnership exam centres.
By choosing to take your exams at one of our partnership exam centres you can be confident that the application process will be seamless. All of our centres work hard to provide a professional and friendly service, which is valued very highly by our students.
Exam centre near you
We have partnership exam centres all over the UK.
Exam Centres:
Birmingham, Bolton, Cambridge, Coventry, Doncaster, Fareham (under 18s and GCSEs only), High Wycombe, Mitcham, Oxford, Romford, St Neots, Stockton-on-Tees, Taunton
Practical Endorsement Centres:
Liverpool, London, Oxford
If you wish to sit your exams in one of these partnership centres, our student support team can arrange this for you. Once you’re enrolled on your course, you’ll find more information about exams on our student portal learn@nec.
Choosing your own exam centre
You don’t have to use one of NEC’s partnership exam centres. If you decide not to use one of our centres you can enter privately with a centre of your choice.
If you choose to do this, it’s important that you understand you are fully responsible for making sure you’ve entered the correct exams. If you’ve booked privately, the support NEC will be able to offer you should any issues arise will be very limited.
We recommend that you book your exams at least six months before the exam session starts. Private exam centres will have their own exam entry deadlines which are likely to be earlier than those listed by the awarding organisations.
Oral exams for modern foreign languages
GCSE and A level courses in modern foreign languages include oral exams as part of the exam assessments.
If your course includes an oral exam we can guarantee you a place at a number of our partnership exam centres.
If you are thinking about using a private exam centre remember to check that they can deal with all aspects of the assessment, including orals, as your exam entry can’t be split across two centres.
Exam fees
The cost of sitting your exams is NOT included in your course fee. This is because the cost of sitting exams varies depending on your choice of exam centre and whether your subject involves oral exams, coursework, spoken language endorsements or practical science endorsements.
You should also bear in mind that you will need to make your own travel arrangements to attend your exam.
We try to keep our exam fees as low as possible and we will always be upfront about the costs. As an NEC student you’ll be able to find a full list of exam fees on learn@nec.
Or you can contact us to find out more about the exam fees you’re likely to have to pay.
Exam boards
Many of our courses are run in conjunction with AQA and Pearson Edexcel, two of the UK’s major awarding bodies. Both have useful information for private candidates on their websites.
Need help with revision?
Are you wondering how to optimise your revision strategy? Looking to sidestep common pitfalls and refine your exam technique? With more than six decades of experience supporting students towards achieving valuable qualifications, we recognise the pressure that exams can create.
Our Exam and qualification hub has been carefully crafted to help you initiate your revision journey and transform the process into a manageable, less stressful experience.
NEC exam locations
We have partnership exam centres all over the UK. If you wish to sit your exams in one of these partnership centres, our Student Support team can arrange this for you. Once you’re enrolled on your course, you’ll find more information about exams on our student portal learn@nec.
Your free guide
Need help with revision?
Our free guide will help you to perfect your exam technique and plan your revision.
Trusted tutor support
Your tutor will be there to offer support and feedback throughout the course, as well as mark assignments and, when needed, coursework.
Fee information
Find out more about course fees and what financial options are available to you.
Non-exam assessment
Some courses have an Non-exam assessment (NEA), find out more about what these are and how they work here.
Our courses
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Explore a wide range of courses tailored to meet various learning needs and career goals. Whether you’re advancing in your current field, exploring a new interest, or continuing your education, we have the programs to help you reach your aspirations.