ExamPad+ is designed to satisfy all software-enforceable requirements from JCQ's Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE), section 14.25 — the definitive standard for word processor use in UK public examinations.
The requirements below are taken directly from JCQ ICE section 14.25. Only software-based requirements are listed here — physical and invigilation responsibilities (such as ensuring the device is charged, that screens cannot be seen by other candidates, or that a separate invigilator is present) remain the responsibility of the centre.
View JCQ ICE Document →"Must be used as a typewriter, not as a database, although standard formatting software is acceptable."
ExamPad+ is a dedicated word processor. Bold, italic, underline, font choice, size, and line spacing are all supported as standard formatting. There is no database, spreadsheet, filing, or data management functionality of any kind within the application.
"Must have been cleared of any previously stored data, as must any portable storage medium used."
Each exam session opens to a completely blank document. No previous candidate work, autocomplete history, or cached content from prior sessions is accessible. ExamPad+ does not retain any data between exam sessions.
"Must be used to produce work under secure conditions, otherwise the candidate's script may not be accepted."
ExamPad+'s Exam Mode locks the application into a full-screen secure state. System keyboard shortcuts (Alt+Tab, Windows key, etc.) are intercepted and blocked, the taskbar is hidden, and the candidate cannot navigate away from the application during an active exam session.
"Must not give the candidate access to other applications, such as a calculator (where prohibited in the examination), email, the Internet, social media sites or spreadsheets." / "Must not be used to perform skills which are being assessed."
In Exam Mode, access to all other applications, files, and system functions is blocked. ExamPad+ makes no network connections and cannot be used to access the internet, email, calculators, or any external resource during an exam. The application contains no tools that could be used to perform skills being assessed.
"Must not include graphics packages or computer aided design software unless permission has been given to use these."
ExamPad+ contains no image editing tools, drawing packages, or CAD functionality whatsoever. It is a text-only word processor. No graphical tools are accessible to candidates at any point.
"Must not have any predictive text software or an automatic spelling and grammar check enabled unless the candidate has been permitted a scribe or the awarding body's specification permits the use of automatic spellchecking."
Spell checking, grammar checking, and predictive text are all disabled by default in Exam Mode. Administrators can enable them individually for specific candidates where an awarding body specification or approved access arrangement permits it.
"Must not include computer reading (text to speech) software unless the candidate has permission to use a computer reader."
Text-to-speech is not enabled by default and is not available to candidates unless explicitly activated for that individual by an administrator, where a computer reader arrangement has been approved by the awarding body.
"Must not include speech recognition technology unless the candidate has permission to use a scribe (a scribe cover sheet must be completed)."
Speech recognition is disabled by default and is not available to candidates unless explicitly enabled for that individual by an administrator where scribe permission has been granted and the appropriate cover sheet completed.
"Must not include AI tools."
ExamPad+ contains no artificial intelligence tools of any kind. There is no AI writing assistance, text generation, AI-powered grammar suggestion, predictive writing, or any AI-powered feature anywhere in the application — in either Exam Mode or Classroom Mode.
"Must either be connected to a printer so that a script can be printed off, or have the facility to print from a portable storage medium."
ExamPad+ supports direct printing to any printer connected to the device. Scripts can also be exported for printing from a portable storage medium after the examination ends. Batch printing is available for exams officers to process all scripts from a session at once.