A new online exam service for students, introduced by Edexcel, has proved a major attraction, drawing well over 25,000 unique visitors during the nine-day period straddling this year’s exam results.

Examzone recorded almost 20,000 pages viewed on the day GCE results were issued (August 14), and the same number a week later on GCSE results day (August 21).  From August 14 to August 22, page views topped 80,000, equating to more than 32,000 visits.

According to Jerry Jarvis, Edexcel’s Director of General Qualifications, the overwhelming response shows that students and parents were clearly benefiting from the additional information and guidance provided on the site.

“We introduced this new site to help students and parents find answers to queries arising from exams and results, because we cannot provide information direct to them under current regulations,” he explained.

“In the past they would telephone us, but we are only allowed to discuss issues with schools or colleges for sound reasons of integrity and confidence.

“This led to a lot of frustration, but, by visiting www.examzone.co.uk, they can get instant answers and guidance with the procedures and processes of exams and results.”

Last year Edexcel handled some 14,000 phone enquiries about results in the two weeks following results day, but this number has fallen by 50% in 2003.  Much of this reduction is due to examzone.