Dear reader,

A newsletter packed with news! We therefore ask you to read this newsletter carefully, because it contains a number of important changes. Number 1: our move to a new office. We had to leave our former building quite spontaneously. The whole story is in this newsletter.

We would also like to point out that you need to complete the registration form more accurately, there is a new time limit for exam applications abroad, a reminder about the number of exams per day and Petra was in Bonaire and Curaçao.

Enjoy reading,

Team Ascend examengroep B.V.

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Moved to a new office

We had known for 3 years that we would have to leave our current building, but there did not seem to be a major need from the property management. In January 2024 we were informed that we had to leave our building immediately. The reason was left unclear, but we suspect that the leakage, cracks in the walls, rainwater on the floor and a broken toilet had something to do with it.

Whatever the reason, we had to move quickly. Before Petra went to Bonaire and Curaçao, we wanted to have a functioning office. We put our shoulders to the wheel and got to work straight away. The official move took place last week. We have moved from Bredaseweg 108A Section 9, now to Bredaseweg 108A Section 16.

If you are familiar with our area, you now drive on the left at the gate instead of on the right. You can immediately park the car in the first parking lot and then you will find us in the last office, next to the red wall where Section 16 is mentioned.

In our new building we have a separate upstairs room for exams. The candidates can report to our office and then they will take a seat through the sliding doors in the waiting area. Candidates are led to the exam room via a staircase.

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Which surnames and letters in the registration form?

We notice that it is still unclear what exactly needs to be entered in our Excel file for registering for exams. As a result, we often receive incorrect names and that takes a lot of work behind the scenes to adjust.
We therefore strongly request that you copy the names from the European identity card, passport, Dutch alien document or Dutch driver’s license.

For initials, enter ALL THE INITIALS of the first names. And no call signs.
For prefixes, only enter the prefixes such as: van, de, van der, van de, het, etc.
For surname, enter the surname (the maiden name for women). Married names should NOT be entered on the form.
We hope that you will all pay closer attention to ensuring that the correct data is registered. The exam leaders always check the participant list and the participant form, so we want to keep the chance of errors as small as possible.

We currently do not charge any additional costs for changing data, but we are considering using a maximum of 3 errors in the future. There are other agencies where a candidate is not allowed to take an exam if the information has not been properly registered in advance. We do not want to be so strict, but we do ask you to check everything carefully.

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Change in the deadline for submitting an objection

We must submit an objection about an exam to Topdesk within 10 days. To date, when an objection is filed, it is often the same day. If you would like to read it, we refer to paragraph 23.1 in the SSVV manual.

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Tropical exam on Bonaire and Curaçao

Last week we were entertained with sunny snapshots from Bonaire and Curaçao in our office app. Petra was allowed to visit both islands for a client and successfully took the exams. Both groups obtained their VCA Diploma in one go. Of course, this had to be celebrated with a delicious cocktail in the sun.

The customer is satisfied and we may go in that direction more often. We have already started drawing lots at the office to see who can board the plane next time.

The next foreign exams are a little closer to home. Next week Ruby will go to Zagreb for VCA exams.

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Number of exams in a day

Most of you know that in the Netherlands a candidate is only allowed to take an exam once a day. We often schedule a resit the next day for companies and schools that have larger groups. If nothing has been planned in advance, the candidate cannot take the exam again until 48 hours later. For an exam in the Netherlands, you CANNOT request an exam for a candidate twice on the same day.

Abroad, the rule applies that a candidate may take the exam twice in one day. There must be a minimum of 4 hours between the first and second exam, so that the candidate has the opportunity to still study for the second exam.

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Application time for international exams has changed

If you apply for exams abroad with us, you should definitely read this section. We currently had 14 days (2 weeks) for applications, but that will become 14 working days (2.5 weeks). A working week that runs from Monday to Friday must now be taken into account.

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Until next time

It was a full newsletter this time, so here are all the highlights at a glance:

• We have moved! We are now located at Bredaseweg 108A Section 16.
• Complete the registration form for the exams correctly.
• Exam candidates can only take the exam once a day in the Netherlands.
• Abroad maximum 2x with a minimum interval of 4 hours.
• SOG exam leaders must submit their Certificate of Good Conduct before April 1, 2024.
• Foreign exam applications must now be made 14 working days in advance (2.5 weeks).
• The period for submitting an objection has now become 10 days.

We thank you for reading the newsletter and if you are in the area, be sure to come and have a look at our new office. The coffee is ready and the apple turnovers can be picked up in no time from the lunchroom almost next to us.

Until the next newsletter.

Kind regards on behalf of,
The entire team of Ascend examengroep B.V.