7.1 - Despatch of test materials

If you have entries for a test session, the test materials will be despatched to your school or centre approximately one week before the day of the tests.

An e-mail is sent to all schools and centres with entries informing you when the despatch of materials for a test session has started.

The test materials are packaged in distinctive white World Class Test plastic envelopes with the World Class Tests logo in the bottom left corner. They will be addressed to the person you identified as the contact when you registered as a World Class Test school or centre.

The test materials are despatched by Parcelforce in the UK and DHL overseas. You will be asked to sign for the materials when you receive them. This helps us to track the progress and receipt of the parcels.

7.2 - International deliveries

Delivery to overseas schools and centres will be arranged by AQA through DHL Worldwide Express.

Country-specific return instructions will be included with the test material despatch, along with a DHL Express Flyer plastic return envelope.

7.3 - Checking the deliveries

Please check the test materials as soon as you receive them using the despatch list enclosed with the parcel(s). If any test materials are absent or incorrect, you must inform AQA immediately. Instructions for returning the test materials to AQA will be included in the despatch and are detailed in Appendix H.

Photocopying of the test materials is not permissible.

In addition to checking that the correct materials have been sent, you should ensure that no sealed packs of test papers have been opened. If a school or centre has received test packs which are unsealed on arrival, AQA should be informed immediately in order that details can be recorded and a letter of acknowledgement sent to the school.

No sealed test papers should be opened more than one hour before the relevant test is due to start.

7.4 - Storing the materials

Schools and centres must make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of the test papers. It is the administrator's duty to ensure that test materials are stored securely from the time they are delivered to the school to the time they are returned to AQA. Schools and centres should develop a system that protects you from any possible allegation of malpractice. The best place to keep test materials is a locked cupboard or filing cabinet. It is expected that the administrator will be able to give an accurate account of all those who have had access to the test materials before, during and after the tests have taken place.

If there are suspicions that there has been a breach of security, this breach should be reported directly to AQA whereupon AQA will investigate, where appropriate, and take action as necessary.