Examination Procedures

The regulations and conditions of entry for the RSCDS Teaching Certificate Part 1 and Part 2 are described in detail in the Syllabus, a copy of which is available to download from this site. NB In 2007/2008 the syllabus is being reviewed and amended. When the revised new syllabus becomes current, this document will be up dated.

Branch secretaries/organisers should request from Coates Crescent the full set of documents for administration of whichever units are to be run locally.  Answers to specific queries may be obtained at any time by contacting examhelp@rscds.org or by telephoning Coates Crescent on +44 (0)131 225 3854.

Please note that candidates for all examinations must have current membership of the RSCDS.  Membership of an affiliated group does not constitute membership of the RSCDS.

UNIT 1

Preparation for Unit 1 may be undertaken by self-study, although it is strongly advised that at least part is undertaken by supervised instruction.  It is expected that Branches will help candidates prepare either by running a short course or by arranging guidance from an experienced RSCDS teacher.

There is a fixed schedule of dates for the examination: every second Saturday in February, April and October.  Branches may apply to hold the examination locally on any of those dates; there is no minimum number of candidates.  Two invigilators are required to supervise the examination.

Candidates who do not have a Branch nearby may sit the examination as a Sole Candidate, in which case at least one of the invigilators must be a person of official standing in the local community.

Please note that the following may not act as invigilators in any circumstances: anyone related to a candidate by birth or marriage; anyone in a personal relationship with a candidate; anyone who lives with or shares the same home-address as a candidate; anyone who has been involved in any way in helping a candidate prepare for the examination.

For candidates whose first language is not English arrangements may be made to have the question-paper and answer-script translated. 

(Please note that, although it appears contrary to the regulation in the Syllabus, a candidate who fails Unit 1 in February is permitted to re-sit in April.)

Applications to sit Unit 1 together with the appropriate examination-fee must be received at Coates Crescent no later than 6 weeks in advance of the date of the examination.

UNIT 2 and UNIT 3

It is necessary to attend courses of tuition for Units 2 and 3; and a pass at Unit 1 must be obtained before embarking on Unit 2.  A regular schedule of courses and examinations is offered annually at the RSCDS Summer School at St. Andrews.  Otherwise, Branches run courses according to local need.

At a Branch the minimum number of candidates to be presented for Unit 2 is six.  If there are no candidates for Unit 2 and fewer than six candidates for Unit 3, all costs must be borne by the Branch unless prior permission to do otherwise has been obtained from the Education & Training Committee, or unless the minimum of six is made up by candidates for Unit 5 sitting at the same time.

At Summer School the courses for Units 2 and 3 are taken in sequence over a fortnight with the examination for Unit 2 held at the end of the first week and the examination for Unit 3 held at the end of the second week; there is some preparation of the course for Unit 3 in the first week.  Please note that the results of the Unit 2 examination are not made available until after the examination for Unit 3 has taken place.

Applications to sit Unit 2 and/or Unit 3 at a BRANCH or approved centre must be received at Coates Crescent no later than 6 weeks in advance of the date of the examination.

Applications to sit Unit 2 and/or Unit 3 at SUMMER SCHOOL must be received at Coates Crescent no later than 1st February.

UNIT 4 and UNIT 5

Although Unit 4 (the Record of Teaching Practice) is assessed six months in advance of taking the examination for Unit 5, it is integral to the process leading to Unit 5 and must be taken in conjunction with preparation for that Unit.  A regular schedule of courses and examinations for Unit 5 is offered annually at the RSCDS Summer School at St. Andrews.  Otherwise, Branches run courses according to local need.

At a Branch the minimum number of candidates to be presented for Unit 5 is six.  If there are fewer than six candidates, all costs must be borne by the Branch unless prior permission to do otherwise has been obtained from the Education & Training Committee, or unless the minimum of six is made up by candidates for Units 2 and 3 sitting at the same time.

At Summer School the course for Unit 5 is run over a fortnight with the examination held at the end of the second week.

All Records of Teaching Practice (Unit 4) must be received at Coates Crescent no later than 6 months in advance of the date of the examination for Unit 5.

Applications to sit Unit 5 at a BRANCH or approved centre must be received at Coates Crescent no later than 6 weeks in advance of the date of the examination.

Applications to sit Unit 5 at SUMMER SCHOOL must be received at Coates Crescent no later than 1st February.