On exam day, your child checks in and is admitted, parents say goodbye and leave, and the papers run to a set timetable. Start times are decided by the school and sent to you a few days beforehand. Most exams are over within a morning, though some schools run a full day with papers spread out and breaks in between. Parents do not stay during the exam, but schools give clear guidance on drop-off, parking and collection.
- Children check in, parents leave, and papers run to a timetable.
- Start times are set by the school and sent a few days before.
- Some schools finish in a morning; others run a full day with breaks.
- Parents do not stay, but get guidance on parking and collection.
How exam day flows
The shape of the day is reassuringly predictable. You arrive, your child registers, staff admit the children, and then parents leave. From there the school runs the papers in order.
Children sit the exam in supervised conditions, much like the timed papers they will have met in mock exams. That rehearsal is exactly why the real thing feels familiar rather than alarming.
Start times and timetable
There is no national start time. Each school sets its own and sends the details, usually a few days ahead, along with where to go.
Read those instructions carefully and plan to arrive early. They sit alongside the practical question of what to bring, so handle both from the same letter.
Full exam days
Some schools, particularly independents, run a full day on site. Papers are spread across the day with breaks, and a few even provide lunch.
If your school does this, prepare your child for a longer day so the length is no surprise. Knowing the timetable in advance helps them pace their energy as well as their answers.
Check the address, parking and arrival time in advance, and build in extra travel time. A relaxed, early arrival sets a calm tone, while a rush adds nerves before your child even sits down.
Can parents stay?
No. Once children are admitted, parents leave for the duration of the exam. This is standard and nothing to worry about.
Schools provide guidance on parking, drop-off and collection, so you will know where to be and when. Use the time to stay calm yourself, because children pick up on a relaxed handover at the end.
Helping your child feel ready
Familiarity is the best comfort. A child who has rehearsed full papers and knows how to manage their time walks in expecting the routine rather than fearing it.
Pair that with a calm start, which our guide to the morning of the exam covers, and the day becomes just another practice session that happens to count. Weeks of short daily practice with Pip are what make that confidence real.