Thank goodness as a teacher this has never happened to me, but I just wanted to share this as it obviously can happen.

My daughter has been entered by her Teacher for her Grade 3 exam, and we have been awaiting confirmation of the exam date. Just over a week ago, I asked her teacher again if he had heard anything, and he said that nothing had arrived yet. I was also keen to find out the date because I was due to accompany my daughter for the exam.

Then Shock! Horror! - Teacher arrives this week with the news that the exam was the following day!! As you can imagine, my daughter was distraught, I was not available to play, and we were all asking the question "How could this happen"! Basically, in a nutshell, the Teacher made the call to the board, who stated that they had sent out a notification letter several weeks ago, but it never arrived!! He asked if there were any cancellations during this exam session, but the board said none were available.

So, we all agreed (and the Board) that the entry will be deferred to the Summer Exam Sessions. Not particularly ideal, but as you can imagine, my daughter really didn't feel "mentally prepared" enough to take an exam with less than 12 hours notice, and there was now the added problem of no accompanist.


So - moral of this story - never rely on the post, and always chase up the exam confirmation!

Yes I remember a few years ago we had a postal strike and it was getting close to exam time, so I just phoned the board and they were very good about it. As far as I remember they sent me the dates via email.

What a nasty shock for your daughter though

Oh no! This was exactly what I was worried abuot myself as I entered my pupe for a Grade 4 exam this session, and was panicing because I had the distinct feeling that I should have known the date long before now.... luckily the letter arrived in the post a couple of days ago so all is well, but what a shock for your poor daughter, bless her!

Don't get me started on the postal service!!!!


Ooops too late...


We regularly get mail delivered to us at work which is addressed to other companies. We've even had official documents from the Inland Revenue and Companies House for other companies, not to mention cheques (can see through the envelope). It begged the question, who was getting our mail if we were getting other people's???

The manager of the local sorting office to whom I complained assured me that the postman concerned would receive "counselling"... Counselling!!! After numerous complaints, I'm afraid I told the manager that the postman needed a kick up the xxxx not xxxx counselling! I also complained to Royal Mail via their web site, who tried to whitewash the problem.

Ah well, like I said, don't get me started...


Sorry to hear about your daughter's experience Samick, it's a real shame

You'd think a bit of training would be more productive

This happened to me too a few years ago. Luckily I bumped into the lady hosting the exams who started chatting about the exams being the next week ..... ..... I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't seen her that day.

I wonder if it's worth asking the AB if they'd consider sending the exam notifications by email, as well as in the post? Might prevent this happening again.

Hear hear! It happened to me a few years ago, I received only a few days notice of some exams due to post going astray, and my candidates ended up trudging off to a centre in a neighbouring town 20 miles away so they had enough time to prepare.

This is one of my worries every session!!!! It hasn't happened to me yet, with exam notifications, but it seems such an unreliable way to notify applicants!!! I also ask fellow teachers if they've had their notification so I have some idea. It's be easy to be allocated an early slot and not realise it.... and miss it as you hadn't received the post!


Please AB...... let's have the post PLUS e-mail (as results arrive in 2 ways) so if e-mail fails, post works.... if post fails, hopefully e-mail would work (It could be a standard e-mail.... "Your notification has been sent to you"....... if you don't receive it in 5 days, you ring up!!!!!)

Looks like I've duplicated your suggestion. I put it as a post on the Ask the Chief Examiner thread this afternoon.

Yes - I would heartily second this.

When the beginning of the exam session arrives, and you haven't received your notification, there is always the thought .. what if? what if I didn't get the later week I asked for and my appointment is imminent and my letter is lost?

Like Clari Nicki, it hasn't happened to me yet, but clearly it is possible.

JMH - thanks - good idea!