If a candidate cannot take their STEP exam at the published start time, you may need to request approval to allow the candidate to start the test later. 

The deadline for submitting a timetable variation request is a week before the test date (see the key dates).

When is approval required? 

You need to request approval when a candidate: 

• Has a clash with another exam (either a national exam or another admissions test) and the supervised break between the two needs to be more than 2 hours 30 minutes 
• Cannot take their STEP test at the scheduled start time due to a serious reason, eg on military service. 

You do not need approval to change the start time of the test in the following scenarios: 

• You need to move the start time of the test up to 30 minutes earlier or later than the published time 
• A candidate is taking two tests (either a national exam or another admissions test) and the new start time of the STEP test is no more than 2 hours 30 minutes from the published one. 

Please note: 

• Any requests to move the test due to family holidays and/or school trips will not be approved. If the trip cannot be cancelled, the candidate should investigate the possibility of taking the test at the nearest centre to them, on the scheduled test date. 
• Requests to run both tests on 1 day will not be approved. 

Arrangements for candidates with timetable variations 

You must follow these rules when administering a STEP test with a changed start time: 

• Candidates must be constantly supervised by a member of staff at all times. 
• Candidates will not communicate with any person who has knowledge of the content of the examination (candidates or members of staff). 
• Candidates must not use any electronic devices, eg mobile phones, tablets, smart watches and laptops etc. 
• The supervised break between the two tests will be as short as possible, eg 15–30 minutes, but no more than 2h 30 minutes. 

Failure to adhere to the timetable variation regulations is a serious breach of test security and considered as maladministration. 

Submitting a request 

You can request timetable variations through the Entries Extranet. See the Entries Extranet user guide for details of how to do this.