Instructions for Conducting Exams (ICE)
Putting ICE, into practice. Here you will find supporting resources, learning materials and practical tools to help centres apply ICE in practice.
Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE)
The JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) is the definitive guidance for administering qualifications from our member awarding organisations, covering GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational assessments. This comprehensive resource establishes standards and procedures to ensure consistent, secure examination practices across the UK’s educational institutions.
Essential for heads of centre, exams officers, invigilators, and support staff, the ICE provides detailed instructions spanning exam preparation, invigilation, through to post-examination procedures, supported by checklists, training videos, and other practical resources.
The guidance serves as the cornerstone for maintaining exam integrity and upholding the credibility of UK qualifications for millions of students annually.
Supporting resources for ICE implementation
Beyond the comprehensive ICE guidance document, we provide a range of practical resources organised into distinct sections to support examination officers in implementing these instructions effectively across their centres. Including:
- Guidance notes
- Videos
- Exam room posters
- Checklists
- Forms and templates
Video guidance
The JCQ Exam Day Guidance video provides visual instruction on ensuring examinations run smoothly. This resource covers essential preparation steps including accommodation requirements, desk layouts, secure storage procedures, and the critical two-person verification process.
The Procedures for Handling Exam Papers video demonstrates proper protocols for managing question papers securely throughout the examination process.
Quick reference materials
Supporting infographics provide visual guidance on key processes such as handling secure electronic materials, removing question papers from storage, examination timing protocols, and tracking the journey of question papers through the centre. These materials offer immediate visual reference for complex procedures, complementing the detailed written instructions in the main ICE document.
These supporting resources work alongside the ICE document to provide comprehensive practical support for examination officers, ensuring consistent implementation of examination procedures across all our member organisations’ qualifications.
Exam room posters for 2025/26
All exam room posters must be displayed in a prominent place outside each examination room where they can be clearly seen by candidates before entering. These may be displayed as hard copy A3 paper versions, in either black and white or colour, or as images projected onto a wall or screen for all candidates to see.
Related documents
Practical tools and forms
The Downloads section contains essential operational tools including receipt logs for tracking examination materials at delivery and by examination officers, incident recording forms, emergency evacuation procedures, and the Second Pair of Eyes Check form for verifying correct question papers. These spreadsheet and Word document templates ensure centres maintain proper audit trails and security protocols.
