How should candidates be seated in a Science practical exam?

When seated in a practical exam, the minimum distance in all directions from the centre of one candidate’s chair to the centre of another’s should be 1.25 metres. We recognise that in some science laboratories this minimum distance may not be possible. Where it is not, candidates must be spaced sufficiently far apart to prevent them seeing, intentionally or otherwise, the work of others.

Candidates should be seated such that they are all facing the same direction, wherever possible.  If this is not possible, then candidates should be seated so they cannot see each other’s work – screens between candidates may be required, see ‘Seating arrangements’ section 5.7.1.3 of the Cambridge Handbook 2024.