If you feel unwell during an SEC examination, alert the invigilator immediately. Raise your hand if you can and tell staff you need help. Follow their instructions about your seat, your answer materials and whether you should leave the room with a staff member.
SEAB’s 2026 GCE rules distinguished an adverse event during a paper from the later process for special consideration. For the 2027 Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), report the immediate problem first and ask the school or SEAB what follow-up applies to your sitting.
- Signal promptly and tell staff you feel unwell.
- Follow directions before moving or handling your answer materials.
- Report the affected component through the official route.
- Ask what record, evidence and deadline apply.
Tell staff what is happening at your desk
If you are able to speak, a short description is enough to start. Say that you feel unwell and need assistance. Follow the staff member’s directions about what to do with the booklet or screen before you move. If the situation is urgent, tell them plainly.
If the component is practical, alert staff promptly and follow their instructions about the equipment or materials at your station. If the component is oral or listening comprehension, use the procedure given for that room and stage of the assessment.
Report the interruption after the immediate issue
Once you can, note which paper was affected, approximately when you told staff and whether you resumed or stopped. Share these facts with your school if you registered through it, or follow the official route for private candidates. Keep any medical information private and submit it only as directed.
The 2026 GCE handbook called for school candidates to inform their school before the paper or immediately afterwards when affected by an adverse event. Ask for the current reporting and application deadlines for SEC.
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Ask what happens next
Reporting the interruption helps staff understand the circumstances. Ask whether further evidence or a formal application is needed. The centre or SEAB can explain which instructions apply to the affected paper and whether you need separate arrangements for another component.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I wait until the exam ends to say I feel unwell?
Alert the invigilator as soon as you need help.
Can I leave the room on my own?
Tell examination staff and follow their directions about leaving or being escorted.
Will I automatically get extra time?
Follow the invigilator’s directions and ask how the interruption is handled for your sitting.