Date Author Invigilator Training Presentation [insert name] Not Protected - Restricted - Confidential (Delete as Applicable) © QCDA 2010

Invigilators – conducting the exam series

Welcome Today’s presentation is designed to give you the tools, knowledge and experience needed to successfully invigilate an exam series. This is also an opportunity to meet your colleagues and key members of staff. In your handout pack you will find support materials to help you on your way. Please feel free to ask questions at any time throughout the presentation.

Your responsibilities Make sure you are clear about what days and times you are working. Arrive on time and sign in and out before each shift. Carry identification. Wear smart dress and soft-soled shoes. Be familiar with JCQ ICE regulations.

Invigilation As an invigilator you will: ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to do well ensure the exam’s security before, during and after the exam prevent possible candidate malpractice prevent possible administration failures In a written exam, there must be at least one invigilator for every 30 candidates at all times. In a practical exam or on-screen test, there must be at least one invigilator for every 15 candidates at all times.

Candidate identification Invigilators must be able to identify all candidates sitting the exam. Candidates known to the school have been issued with ID cards. External/transfer candidates who are not known to the school must show documentary evidence such as a passport or photographic driver’s licence. If you are not sure, ask for help.

Access arrangements and special consideration Access arrangements are pre-exam arrangements made on behalf of a candidate with specific needs. For example, the use of a scribe, reader or word processor. Access arrangements are made in advance for known conditions. Special consideration is a post exam adjustment made to the candidate’s mark, by the awarding body, as a result of a temporary injury, illness or other indisposition at the time of the exam. The invigilator’s role is to log a record of events. This information may be required by the awarding body. Candidates with access arrangements will be marked on the seating plan.

Behaviour management Your role is to maintain the appropriate environment for exams and to ensure exams are conducted correctly. Be vigilant and remain aware of emerging situations. Remain calm and professional at all times, do not raise your voice. Sympathise as appropriate, but be firm. Reinforce the rules – JCQ notices. Summon help as necessary.

Malpractice Under exam conditions the use of unauthorised materials, copying or attempting to copy exam papers, escaping from supervision or collusion (cheating) is not permitted. Unauthorised materials include: mobile phones ipods or MP3 players any food or drink in packaging with labels Tippex or correction fluid Pale-coloured gel pens. If a candidate is suspected of malpractice: warn the candidate that they may be excluded from the exam record what has happened and retain evidence summon help if necessary.

Evacuation procedures In the event of a fire alarm: stop candidates from writing make a note of the time the exam was stopped collect the attendance register advise candidates to leave all papers, scripts and belongings in the room and to leave the room calmly in silence await further instructions. Health and safety is paramount at all times!

JCQ inspection Every centre will receive a visit from a JCQ inspector during its exam series. Familiarise yourself with the JCQ ICE (Instructions for Conducting Examinations) regulations. Be confident that you can identify all candidates. Challenge anyone who enters the exam room. Do not view the inspector as an enemy – they should be seen as a professional colleague!

Before the exam starts Before the exam starts you must check the following: the exam room set up (refer checklist) you have the correct exam question papers and materials – these must be kept secure you have the required number of invigilators your means of summoning assistance Your mobile phone (and any alarms) are switched off.

Entering the exam room The exam is in progress as soon as candidates enter the room! Take the register, using the seating plan provided and seat candidates by candidate number in a ‘snake’ pattern. Remove unauthorised items from the exam room. Candidates must have clear plastic pencil cases. Contact the exams office to call any absentees.

Once candidates are seated Remind candidates that: they are under exam conditions mobile phones must be switched off and handed in. Open and hand out exam papers according to the seating plan. Refer to the starting the exam checklist.

During the exam Give your full attention to invigilating the exam. Respond as quickly as possible when a candidate raises their hand for help; only answer questions about the rubric on the front of the exam paper offer NO advice to the candidate – check with the exams officer if you are unsure. Look out for cheating and malpractice, or candidates who may be feeling unwell. Record all events – what has happened, candidate’s name and the time. Maintain the required number of invigilators at all times. Summon help if necessary.

Late arrivals All candidates who arrive late may be allowed the full allocated time to complete their exam. However, they must be warned that their work may not be accepted by the awarding body. Late arrivals are within one hour of the published start time. Very late arrivals are more than one hour after the published start time. Candidates can leave the exam room one hour after the published start time.

Ending an exam Announce the end of the exam. Be clear about which exam is ending. Instruct candidates to stop writing when the time is up – some candidates may have extra time. Advise candidates to name and attach loose sheets of paper with a treasury tag. Remind candidates that they remain under exam conditions until scripts have been collected and they have left the exam room. Ensure that candidate details have been completed on the scripts. Collect any equipment lent out.

Collecting scripts Candidates cannot leave the room until the scripts have been collected – no exam papers are to leave the exam room. Collect scripts in order of the attendance register. Do not leave the scripts unattended at any time. Do not read or allow anyone else to read any candidates’ exam scripts. Collect any unused stationery. Dismiss candidates row by row, in silence. Keep ‘clash’ candidates with you and under supervision. Hand over the scripts to the nominated person for dispatch.

Summary Always: refer to your checklists remain calm consider the security of the exam think of the implications for the candidates keep a written record – who/what/when maintain the required invigilator: candidate ratio at all times. Never assume! If in doubt, always consult the exams officer.

Questions?