Whether an online exam takes place at a Centre or at home, Learners should have access to the same examination conditions. To support the best possible exam experience, we recommend meeting the following requirements:
Size of the Examination Room: The exam room is the area captured on screen. It includes the area where the Learners are performing (i.e. stage area), and the space Learners will be positioned when not performing (i.e. wings). The exam room should be appropriate for the exam(s) being undertaken. We recommend the following:
- Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2 exams - minimum 1.83 metres x 1.83 metres (6ft x 6ft)
- Level 3 exams - minimum of 2 metres x 2 metres (6.5ft x 6.5ft)
- No obstruction to the Examiner’s line of sight (e.g. pillars or furniture)
Please note: the size of the exam room must allow learners to meet the following visibility requirements: Visibility of Learners for Remote Online Assessments (ROA)
Examination Room Use: The room must be for the sole use of the exam. Please remind others who have access to the room that exams are in progress and to not to disturb the Learner(s). The venue and exam room must be as quiet as possible, so as not to distract the Learner and ensure audibility.
Reflective Surfaces/ Glare: mirrors must be covered so that the Learners and Examiner are not distracted. Learners should not stand with windows behind them unless they are covered with a curtain, so that the Learner is visible without glare. If there is a light on in the room, consider the Learner’s movement within the space, ensuring that their facial expression is clear at all times.
Exam Pieces and Notes: Learners are permitted to have a clean copy of their pieces with them in the exam room for use in the Knowledge section of the exam. There must be no notes or annotations on the pieces or anywhere else in the exam room or on the device itself. If required for their exam, Learners must also have their sight-reading book visual aid, devising stimulus or object/picture/ book for Introductory exams.
Distracting Items: The walls of the exam room should be as plain as possible. Unnecessary items, such as furniture not being used in the performance, should be removed or moved to the outskirts of the room.
Table and Chair: ensure there is a chair for the Learners to sit on during the Knowledge or Conversation elements of an exam, and to rest between pieces if they so wish. The Learner may be asked to sit back from the device and remain in the performance space for the Knowledge. For Speaking in Public Grades 6, 7, and 8, the Learner and whole table area must be fully visible during the preparation of the impromptu speech.
People/Personnel in the Room: unless a Learner has a reasonable adjustment and a third person has been authorised by LAMDA prior to the exam, only the Learner must be in the room when the exam is taking place. Any unauthorised people in the room will result in the exam being invalidated. A chaperone (CC/Teacher/Parent/Carer) may stay in the room to assist with the set-up of the examination space before the assessment begins, and will be asked to leave the room before the commencement of the examination.