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School Management - Exams

Going to the toilet during exams can pose problems for both teachers and pupils. This is particularly true for:

  • Pupils taking longer exams (more than one hour)
  • Pupils who drink water before and during the exam
  • Pupils with special needs, including those who may be suffering from a condition which makes them need the toilet more frequently
  • Nervous pupils

One solution is to have toilets attached to each exam room. This would mean the invigilator could see pupils going to the toilet and returning. Of course, this is not always possible in existing school buildings, but should be designed into new buildings. There are other solutions:

  • Toilets close by would allow pupils to go just before their exam.
  • A nearby toilet may also allow a teacher to watch a pupil walk to the toilet and return again, whilst remaining in the exam room.
  • An additional teacher to escort pupils to the toilet could be provided. If exams are taking place in adjacent rooms, one teacher could serve as an escort for several exam rooms, by patrolling the corridor. This would reduce the need for additional staff. Alternatively, if exams are taken in a large room (such as the sports hall), one teacher could be responsible for escorting pupils to the nearest toilet by waiting by the door.
  • The designated toilets could be checked before the exam to reduce the risk of cheating.

With these measures in place, there would be few or no restrictions on pupils going to the toilet during exams. This could reduce pupils’ stress and improve exam performance, particularly in the case of long exams.

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