Terms & Conditions

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A. Registering for an examination

1. Individual candidates Individual candidates are only enrolled for examinations once we have confirmed receipt of registration and payment. Candidates must enrol for examinations by the closing entry date. London Crest Open Centre (LCOC) accepts late entries where possible, so please contact us as soon as possible if you want to register for an examination after the closing entry date.


2. Preparation centres Preparation centres must submit their entries using a LCOC block registration form. Entries must be submitted to LCOC by the closing entry date. Payment must be made by the closing entry date or for late entries, within five working days of the date of the invoice to avoid additional fees.


3. Closing entry dates You can find the closing entry dates on our website. All closing entry dates are provisional and subject to amendment.


4. Late entries Where spaces are available, a late entry fee of £18 (from 5pm on the closing entry date) or a double late entry fee of £36 (from 2 weeks before the first part of the exam) applies to registrations after the closing entry date.


5. Enrolments for computer-based examinations There are a limited number of spaces available for computer-based examinations. This means that we may run out of spaces even before the closing entry date. We therefore recommend that candidates enrol for computer-based examinations as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. By enrolling for computer-based examinations, candidates acknowledge that their examination may be held on any type of standard computer (including laptops or desktop computers). It is the candidate's responsibility to be fully trained and competent with the use of a computer.


6. Candidates with learning or physical disabilities Candidates with learning or physical disabilities need to contact LCOC at least 2 weeks before the closing entry date with a medical report in English (not older than 2 years) giving detailed information about their condition so that appropriate arrangements can be made. LCOC cannot guarantee that a special arrangement can be accommodated so please contact us for more information.


7. Double enrolments It is the candidate's responsibility not to enrol for the same exam in the same session more than once. Before the closing entry date, double enrolments can be refunded (minus a £20 administration fee). After the closing entry date, double enrolments cannot be refunded.


8. Enrolment for more than one level of exam in the same session A candidate may be able to enrol for more than one level of exam in one session. The candidate must ensure to check that the exams do not take place on the same day / at the same time. Candidates can contact LCOC for more information.


9. Examination fees LCOC reserves the right to change prices where necessary.


10. Exam numbers LCOC will run all sessions numbers permitting. Candidates / preparation centres are informed within one week of the closing entry date should LCOC not be able to run a session.


11. Cambridge ESOL Regulations and Notice to Candidates When enrolling for a Cambridge examination, the candidate automatically agrees to the Cambridge ESOL Regulations and the Notice to Candidates (both can be found on the LCOC website).


12. Exam preparation LCOC does not prepare candidates for examinations and does not provide preparation material. We can, however, make recommendations on where to find information about preparation material. Please contact us for details. It is the candidate's responsibility to be adequately prepared for an examination.

B. Confirmation of Entry (CoE)

1. For Cambridge examinations A CoE containing detailed information on exam dates, times and addresses of the venues will be e-mailed to the candidate / preparation centre at least 10 days before the first part of the exam. The first part of the exam might be the day of the speaking exam or the day of the written papers. It is important to know what date the speaking exam is (the speaking exam window can be found on our website) so that the approximate arrival of the CoE can be anticipated.


2. For Trinity examinations The CoE containing detailed information on the exam date, time and address of the venue will be e-mailed to the candidate / preparation centre at least 5 days before the exam.


3. The CoE will be e-mailed to the e-mail address on the application form. Candidates need to inform LCOC immediately if the e-mail address has changed.
   i. If no CoE has been received by the dates mentioned above, please contact LCOC immediately. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure receipt of the CoE.
   ii. If a candidate's name is not correct on the CoE please advise the supervisor on the day of the first exam. The name will then be changed and it will be printed correctly on the statement of results and on the certificate (for Trinity, it will be corrected on the certificate only).

C. Attending the examination

1. Candidates take full responsibility for attending every part of their exam. Failure to attend every part of the exam will result in a 'Fail' grade.


2. Candidates need to arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the time on their CoE or they may not be allowed entry which will result in a 'Fail' grade.


3. Candidates need to bring with the required documents to every part of the examination. Failure to do so may result in the candidate not being allowed entry which will result in a 'Fail' grade. The CoE will contain information on what documents to bring.


4. Candidates may need to bring a pen/pencil to certain parts of the examination. The CoE will contain information on what materials to bring.


5. Examination dates and times
   i. For Cambridge examinations: The Written papers take place on a date set by Cambridge. The Speaking paper usually takes place on a separate day within the speaking test window set by Cambridge. As the test may fall on any of those dates, it is recommended that candidates keep the entire window free until the final date is confirmed. Candidates will not be able to choose the date / time. Closer to the exam, LCOC may be able to give you a narrowed down speaking test window. Please contact us for more information.
   ii. For Trinity examinations: The Trinity exam will take place on the day set by LCOC. All candidates who enrol for this examination must be available for the whole day as they will not be able to choose the time.
6. Examination venues
   i. All examinations organised by LCOC will take place in London within easy reach of public transport. We hold examinations in North, North-West and Central London. Candidates cannot choose the venue as they will be allocated by LCOC.
   ii. It is the candidate's responsibility to look up the location of the venue and plan their journey well in advance to avoid last-minute problems.
   iii. For Cambridge examinations: The written papers and the speaking paper may not be held at the same venue.

D. Results

1. For Cambridge examinations
   i. Results are generally available approximately 4-6 weeks after the exam. For the exact date, please visit our website or contact us.
   ii. Individual candidates can access their statement of results online on the Cambridge website. Details on how to download the statement can be found on the candidate's CoE.
   iii. Preparation centres can access their students' statement of results online on the Cambridge website.
   iv. Cambridge has a system in place if candidates feel their results are incorrect. A fee will apply. Please contact us for details.
2. For Trinity examinations
   Results are available on the day of the exam. Candidates can collect their results in person at the end of the exam day or can receive the results by post.

E. Certificates

1. For Cambridge examinations
   i. Certificates are generally posted to the candidate approximately 4-6 weeks after the results have been published. For the exact date, please visit our website or contact us. Candidates will be asked for the address where certificates should be sent to on the day of the speaking test. Candidates need to notify us of changes to their postal address. Preparation centres can request that their students' certificates are sent to them directly (not to the candidate).
   ii. Replacement certificates: In certain cases, Cambridge offers the service of providing a free replacement certificate. Please contact us and we will inform you about the possibilities and procedures.
2. For Trinity examinations
   i. Certificates are posted to the candidate approximately 2-3 weeks after the examination.
   ii. Replacement certificates: Please contact us and we will inform you about the possibilities and procedures.

F. Refund policy

1. By registering online or by phone for an exam, the customer agrees to the service starting within seven working days after the date of the contract (the date when you submit your online application or register for an exam by phone). According to the Distance Selling Regulations, the customer therefore waives their right to cancel within this period. If you have registered for an exam in error, you must contact LCOC by email as early as possible or a refund may not be possible.


2. Before the closing entry date: refunds may be given at the sole discretion of LCOC with a £20 administration fee. Students may also transfer their enrolment to a later session with a £10 administration fee.


3. After the closing entry date: examination fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.


4. No refunds are given where candidates travel to a wrong venue or arrive too late to be admitted entry to the examination.


5. If candidates miss the examination due to illness or withdraw their entry on medical grounds, at the sole discretion of LCOC they may receive a partial refund. A written refund request in English must be received by LCOC no more than five working days after the examination. Candidates requesting a refund must provide:
   - Full personal details (full name, address, e-mail address, mobile phone number, name and date of examination, candidate number)
   - Candidate's reasons for requesting a refund
   - A formal statement in English from a qualified medical practitioner giving the medical reasons for being unable to sit the examination
   Examination fees are non-refundable where no acceptable proof of medical grounds can be provided. The above mentioned documents must be received by LCOC no more than five working days after the examination.


6. If a candidate misses the examination due to compassionate or other reasons, LCOC may consider giving a partial refund. A written request for a refund must be received by LCOC no more than five working days after the examination. Candidates requesting a refund must provide:
   - Full personal details (full name, address, e-mail address, mobile phone number, name and date of examination, candidate number)
   - A cover letter giving detailed information of the circumstances
   - Proof where possible
7. A refund will not be considered where a candidate is not prepared to travel to an exam venue.


8. Refunds will be made to the same person / organisation that made the original payment and by the same means (e.g. debit card, credit card, etc.).


9. If LCOC cancels a session due to insufficient enrolment, a full refund will be made.

G. Test day photograph (Excludes KET candidates)

1. For candidates who are over 18 years of age: Candidates enrolling for this examination consent to have their photo taken by the centre on the day of the Speaking Test and/or the Written papers. Candidates agree for this photo to be held on the secure Cambridge ESOL Results Verification site. The photo will only be available to organisations/individuals who they give their details to or who they authorise to view their results via a download. Candidates consent that these organisations/individuals can use these details to verify their examination results.


2. For candidates who are under 18 years of age: By enrolling the candidate for this examination, a parent or guardian consents to having the candidate's photo taken by the centre on the day of the Speaking Test and/or the Written papers. The parent or guardian agrees for this photo to be held on the secure Cambridge ESOL Results Verification site. The photo shall only be available to organisations/individuals that the candidate gives his or her details to or who the candidate authorises to view his or her results via a download. The parent or guardian consents that these organisations/individuals can use these details to verify the candidate's examination result.


3. Candidates who do not agree to have their photograph taken will not be able to enrol for this examination.


4. Test day photos are part of the standard process for taking this examination. Any failure to comply will be treated in the same way as other breaches of the regulations. Therefore, if candidates refuse to have their picture taken on the exam day, they will not be allowed to take the exam which means they will automatically fail the examination. No refund will be given.

H. Marketing

1. LCOC reserves the rights to all photographs which may from time to time be taken of candidates for promotional and/or publicity purposes. LCOC shall retain the copyright in all such photographs and reserves the right to use such photographs as it feels appropriate for advertising purposes.