Exams: Listening Examination Conditions

The conduct of all listening examinations must take place in suitable conditions so that candidates are not disadvantaged.
The equipment used should be of good quality so that all candidates can hear the recording clearly.

The organisation of examining rooms is a matter for individual centres, although the Joint Council for Qualification (JCQ) has produced detailed guidance, which can be accessed here.
However, it is recommended that candidates are, wherever possible, examined in groups no larger than the size of their regular language class. The use of very large rooms (particularly where only modest playback equipment is available) is to be avoided wherever possible.
The volume should be set at a level which is comfortably within the equipment's capabilities, and the tone controls (where available) should be adjusted to give a clear, undistorted sound. Invigilators are reminded that distractions such as opening doors or extraneous noise are likely to be far more significant than in an ordinary written paper.

Reading time
 

The five minutes reading time permitted to candidates has been incorporated into the listening examination recording. Candidates must use these five minutes of reading time to read through the paper and to become familiar with the length and layout of the paper.
Candidates may make notes or highlight keywords on the question paper during this time, although they must not do this in (or near to) the paper answer boxes/spaces.

The recording must be started at the beginning of the timed examination. The five minutes reading time is a part of the recording (there is a five-minute silence within the recording), and, as the recordings are also pre-paused, they must not be paused or stopped once started.

Each extract will play twice. There will be pauses to allow each candidate sufficient time to write their response to each question (or part of a question) and to read the next question.

If the recording finishes before the allocated examination time, candidates may use any remaining time to check their answers. However, the examination must not exceed the allocated time, which is stated on the front cover of the question paper.

Applying extra time to speaking & listening tests? 
 

Please see our support page here for full step-by-step instructions.

For further support for all GCSE and A level speaking tests and specific administrative guides when conducting speaking assessments, please click here.