South Bank Colleges is sharing an important reminder for students during exam season about keeping exams fair, secure and properly protected.

Pearson, one of the awarding bodies used by many schools and colleges across the UK, has asked centres to remind students not to try to buy, find, share or sell exam papers before an exam has taken place.

This includes anything that claims to be an exam paper, whether it is real or fake. It also includes related exam materials such as resource booklets, formulae sheets or electronic copies of papers.

Students may sometimes see messages online or on social media from people claiming to have access to exam papers. In almost all cases, these papers will be fake. However, even trying to buy or share fake papers can still lead to serious consequences, including sanctions from the awarding body and the possible loss of qualifications.

The message is simple: do not buy, share, request or pass on any exam paper or exam-related material before the exam has happened.

Exams are designed to give every student a fair chance to show what they know and what they can do. Protecting the security of exams helps make sure that everyone is treated fairly.

If any student is offered an exam paper, sees suspicious exam material online, or is unsure about something they have received, they should not respond, buy it or share it. Instead, they should speak to a tutor, member of staff or the Exams team as soon as possible.

South Bank Colleges wishes all students the very best with their exams and assessments. The right preparation, support and hard work remain the safest and strongest route to success.