Support for centres affected by the conflict in the Middle East
We know many centres are experiencing disruption due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to stay informed.
This page brings together the latest updates and guidance to help you navigate upcoming teaching, learning and assessment activity.
We’ll continue to contact you directly if anything changes that affects your centre, but you can always check back here for the most up to date information.
Frequently asked questions
Message from Emma Whale, Vice President, International Schools
We know this is an incredibly challenging and uncertain time across our region. The safety of you, your colleagues, your students and wider community is our utmost priority.
We’re committed to supporting with the delivery of Pearson qualifications wherever it’s safe and possible to do so. We understand how important continuity is for you and your students who are working hard towards their next steps. Our focus is on helping you to keep learning and assessment moving forward with flexibility and care.
Exam entries
Please continue to make your qualification exam entries as normal. If you’re concerned that the current situation may impact your ability to meet the 21 March entry deadline, please contact your Regional Development Manager or our customer support team as soon as possible. We’ll work with you to understand your circumstances and discuss the support available.
Non-examined assessments
For some qualifications, this is the period when departments come together to mark and standardise non‑examined assessments and to conduct speaking exams. If current centre closures mean you may struggle to complete these activities by the published deadlines, please contact your Regional Development Manager or our customer support team at the earliest opportunity. Early contact helps us provide the right guidance and support.
Moderation visits
We recognise that the current situation may affect some planned visiting moderation activities.We’re reviewing all upcoming moderation visits. Where a visit needs to move online, we will let you know as early as possible, giving you time to prepare and adjust arrangements.
Looking ahead
We’ll be in regular contact to ensure you are fully supported for the upcoming May/June exam period.
If any alternative arrangements are required to established processes — including question paper dispatch or the use of visiting examiners — we will provide clear and timely updates.
We have long-standing, tried-and-tested contingency processes to support schools through any exam disruption. Our priority will always be to support student progression through their courses, and ultimately to the grade that reflects their performance.
If you have any concerns, or need support with upcoming activity, please contact your local Regional Development Manager or reach out via our customer support portal. We’re here to help.
Making entries
Please continue to make your qualification exam entries as normal. If you’re concerned that the current situation may impact your ability to submit your entries for the 21 March deadline, please do get in touch via your Regional Development Manager or our customer support teams.
Please continue to make your qualification exam entries as normal.
When a learner is unable to sit an examination at their centre due to exceptional circumstances, they can be transferred to another centre to sit examinations. For more information on how to make a transferred candidate application please refer to our support article that provides information specifically for centres in your region on how to process this request.
Transferred candidates process
If you have concerns around this, please reach out to your local Regional Development Manager or our customer support teams.
Disruption to NEAs and practical examinations
For some qualifications, we are now moving into the period when departments come together to mark and standardise non‑examined assessments and to conduct speaking exams. If current centre closures mean you may struggle to complete these activities by the published deadlines, please contact your Regional Development Manager or our customer support teams as soon as possible.
We have measures which we can take here, from applying special considerations if the assessment is disrupted, to adjustments if the component cannot be undertaken at all.
If your practical components have been disrupted, please do contact your Regional Development Manager or our customer support team as soon as possible.
We’re reviewing all upcoming moderation visits for GCSE and A level practical subjects. Some will need to move online if it becomes unsafe or impractical to complete them in person. Centres should refer to the subject specific guidance document for these qualifications to opt for the digital submission option. If you require extra support or an extension to provide this submission, please get in touch via our support portal.
If we need to make any changes to your scheduled visit, we’ll let you know as soon as possible so you have time to prepare.
Special considerations
At this time, our usual guidance on special consideration applies.
Where candidates are present for assessments but have been disadvantaged
Centres may apply for special consideration if they are satisfied that there has been a material and detrimental effect on candidate examination performance or in the production of coursework or non-examination assessment.
In these cases, special consideration will normally be given by applying an allowance of additional marks to each component affected within a specification.
Where candidates are absent from a timetabled component or unit for acceptable reasons
When a candidate has missed a timetabled component or unit for acceptable reasons and the centre is prepared to support an application for special consideration, an adjustment may be made to the grade.
One whole component (at least 15% of the total assessment), must have been completed. For unitised qualifications, the unit must have been missed in the terminal series.
Examinations
We’re proceeding on the basis that exams will go ahead as planned. If circumstances mean this is not possible, our long-standing, tried-and tested-contingency processes are ready to be put in place to support centres and learners.
Other
If local conditions mean face-to-face training can’t go ahead safely, we’ll offer an online alternative. We’ll get in touch if anything needs to change for your booking.
Yes, as a general principle and in any examination series, it is considered good practice to keep past paper mocks, sat under exam conditions until after the live examinations have been completed and results released.
We do anticipate delays for you receiving physical certificates. If you have any students that are waiting for a certificate, and they need this to progress to further education we can provide proof of their qualification directly to institutions. Please get in touch with us through the Pearson support portal, and we’ll be able to arrange this for you.
Stay in touch
If you have concerns about upcoming activity, need help adapting your delivery, or want clarification on any of the guidance above, please reach out via the Pearson Support Portal.