Get your observations signed off — £30 per candidate

As part of the Edexcel GCSE Astronomy, candidates must complete two observations (one aided and one unaided). Private candidates who are being entered by 3a Tutors Ltd or Tutors and Exams will need to get their observations verified by a qualified teacher or tutor before they will sign the declaration confirming that the observations have taken place, and that they are the candidate’s own work.

I have worked with both of those providers before to provide evidence verifying the candidate’s observations. The process involves:

• Observations: candidates complete the observations in their own time, using the Edexcel GCSE Astronomy guidance.
• Reports: candidates write a report for each observation. Although these aren’t graded, I will need to them to be able to verify that the observations were conducted by the candidates themselves. I will need approximately a week to review the reports and formulate the questions I need to ask.
• Interview: When both reports have been submitted to me, I will arrange for an interview via Zoom. During the interview, I will ask questions based on the reports. The purpose of the interview is to verify that the candidates did the work themselves. It is not a verbal examination. The candidates are not ‘marked down’ for making mistakes. I am looking for evidence to verify that the candidates did the work, I am not trying to catch them out.
• Paperwork: After the interview, I will complete the paperwork required by the examination centre. Different centres require different paperwork.

“I want to use this service, so what do I do?”

How It Works

1. Complete the observations: This is crucial. I cannot verify what you have not done.
2. Register with the examination centre: This must be done in good time to allow me time to read the observation reports, formulate the questions, arrange the Zoom interview, conduct the interview, and complete the paperwork afterwards. The very last date for submission to the examination board by the examination centre is 15th April. It is likely that the examination centre will require administration time, so allow plenty of time for me to conduct the process above.
3. Register for the verification service: When the first two steps are done and you are happy to proceed, register below.
4. Submit your evidence: As soon as you have registered, you will be directed to a page to upload your evidence. Please complete this as soon as possible to allow plenty of time for the verification to be undertaken.

How much does it cost? The cost will be £30 per candidate.

Is this service affiliated with Edexcel, 3a Tutors Ltd or Tutors and Exams? No. I have completed observation verifications for these examination centres before, but I do not work for them. Please check with them first that they are still happy to accept my verification.

I am using a different examination centre, can you do the verification for them? Possibly. Please send them my details and ask them to contact me if they are happy for me to work with them. This will be the candidates responsibility.