Instructions for the conduct of the exams Summer 2025 - GCSE Modern foreign languages - Version 1.0 - General instructions and invigilation rules

Oct 20, 2026

Instructions for conducting Summer 2025 GCSE Modern foreign languages (MFL) exams specify the applicable languages and require staff to be familiar with both these instructions and the JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations. The document mandates availability of copies in each exam room, outlines the structure and timing of listening, reading, and writing sessions, and addresses collecting papers to prevent candidates having access to both sets at once. It also states no dictionaries are allowed, gives guidance for laptop/PC keyboard shortcut cards, and sets invigilation rules and malpractice consequences. Listening requirements cover materials, delivery, and setup details.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

General instructions

Test format and scheduling

Timing and conduct principles

Unforeseen issues in listening tests

Invigilation rules

Teacher and responsibility restrictions

Malpractice for non-compliance

Listening tests – Foundation and Higher Requirements

Materials required

Preparation and recordings delivery

Instructions for the conduct of the exams Summer 2025 GCSE Modern foreign languages These instructions apply to GCSE MFL exams in: • Bengali 8638 • Chinese (Spoken Mandarin) 8673 • French 8658 • German 8668 • Italian 8633 • Modern Hebrew 8678 • Panjabi 8683 • Polish 8688 • Spanish 8698 • Urdu 8648 Staff conducting the tests must read and be familiar with both these instructions and the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) Instructions for Conducting Examinations in advance of the exam. One copy of these instructions, together with a copy of JCQ’s instructions, must be available in each exam room – including, for the speaking tests, the preparation area and the room(s) used for the conduct of the tests. Version 1.0 Yellow highlighting indicates a change or addition to the previous version of Instructions for the conduct of the exams General instructions These instructions must be read in conjunction with the JCQ document Instructions for Conducting Examinations which apply to all AQA exams. • Two tests, one at each tier, will be available in each of Listening, Reading and Writing. All tests will be set and marked by AQA examiners. • The Writing tests are timetabled in a separate session from the Listening and Reading tests. It is intended that, in accordance with the published timetable: o the Foundation and Higher Listening Tests should be conducted simultaneously o the Foundation and Higher Reading Tests should be conducted simultaneously o the Foundation and Higher Writing Tests should be conducted simultaneously. • As the Listening and Reading tests are conducted in one single session, the Listening question papers must be collected in before the Reading test papers are distributed. Under no circumstances may candidates have access to both question papers at once. If a school or college decides that all or some candidates will do the Reading exam first, then the Reading papers must be collected in before the Listening papers are issued. The 2025 timetable is confirmed and available on our website. • Candidates who take an exam later than the published starting time shown on the timetable must be kept under the direct supervision of school staff from 30 minutes after the published starting time for the paper concerned until the time when those candidates begin their exam. • The timing given for the duration of the Listening tests is approximate. • Full details of the tests and entry requirements are given in the specifications. • Unforeseen problems may occur during the conduct of the Listening tests in particular. These instructions incorporate references to the most common problems which can occur and what action should be taken. The underlying principles throughout are: - be familiar with the instructions for the conduct of the tests - take prompt and appropriate action calmly - where directed to do so, inform AQA immediately after the tests, in writing, of the action which has been taken. Candidates are not allowed to use a dictionary in any of these tests. Where students wish to use a laptop or PC to complete an MFL exam, they may have a card in the exam with a list of keyboard shortcuts for accents and special characters etc. The school or college must ensure that no other information is printed or written on the card and that the student has no access to any network or to the internet via the laptop/PC. Alternatively, students can add accents/special characters in pen to their printed response once they have completed the exam. We recommend the first option, since adding the accents/special character after printing (rather than at the time of writing, using keyboard shortcuts) tends to lead to more errors and omissions. If students do choose to add the accents in pen after printing this must be done within the time limit of the exam and not after the time allowed for the exam has passed. Invigilation rules • A teacher or tutor who teaches the su

FAQs

Which language options does the Summer 2025 GCSE MFL exam guidance cover?

The instructions apply to Bengali (8638), Chinese (Spoken Mandarin) (8673), French (8658), German (8668), Italian (8633), Modern Hebrew (8678), Panjabi (8683), Polish (8688), Spanish (8698), and Urdu (8648).

What rules govern paper handling for listening and reading tests in the same session?

Listening and reading are conducted in one single session, so listening question papers must be collected in before reading papers are distributed. Candidates must not have access to both question papers at once, and if reading is taken first, reading papers must still be collected in before listening papers are issued.

Are dictionaries allowed during these GCSE MFL exams?

Candidates are not allowed to use a dictionary in any of these tests.

What invigilation restrictions apply to subject teachers for written MFL exams?

A teacher or tutor who teaches the subject being examined cannot act as an invigilator during written exams. A subject teacher also cannot be present in the exam room for written exams for the subject they teach, and failure to comply constitutes malpractice.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Riley West