An invigilator is the person in the examination room responsible for conducting a particular examination session in the presence of the candidates. Invigilators have a key role in upholding the integrity of the external examination/assessment process.
The role of the invigilator is to ensure that the examination is conducted according to JCQ instructions and regulations, in order to:
- Ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities;
- Ensure the security of the examination before, during and after the examination;
- Prevent possible candidate malpractice;
- Prevent possible administrative failures.
Principal Accountabilities:
Before an examination starts invigilators are required to:
- Report to the Exams main room, at least 30 prior to each exam session, for briefing.
- Keep exam papers and materials secure at all times.
- Ensure exam rooms are set out to standard JCQ regulations.
- Check seating plan against layout.
- Assist candidates into exam rooms, checking for unauthorised materials e.g. non compliant pencil cases and water bottles, mobile phones, etc.
- To identify, seat, and instruct candidates in the conduct of their exams.
- To distribute exam papers and materials to candidates, checking exam scripts matches candidates’ desk labels.
- To deal with candidate queries in accordance to JCQ regulations.
During an examination invigilators will:
- Supervise candidates at all times and be vigilant throughout exams.
- Ensure that candidates do not communicate in anyway after they enter the examinations hall.
- Keep disruption to a minimum.
- Deal with emergencies or irregularities effectively.
- Record/report any irregularities.
- Complete attendance registers accurately and inform the Exams Officer of any absences immediately
- Complete the necessary paperwork during exams e.g. late arrivals, incident room log, etc.
- Deal with candidate queries, without providing specific help or guidance that may give students unfair disadvantage.
- Distribute spare equipment and stationary where required.
- Accompany candidates to the toilet where necessary, ensuring JCQ guidance is followed
When an examination has ended, invigilators will:
- Collect exam scripts adhering to the correct procedure, ensuring that these are checked against the attendance registers.
- Dismiss candidates from the exam room, after scripts have been collected.
- Return exam scripts and other materials to the Exams Officer, ensuring security at all times.
- Clear the exam room and set up for the next session.
Other duties:
- To attend training, refresher or review sessions, or complete electronic training as required.
- To be prepared to invigilate and support candidates with access arrangements e.g. as a reader, scribe, prompter, word processor
- To undertake, where required and where able, other duties requested by the Exams Officer
- To be prepared, and able, to use a computer where required
- Supervision of clash candidates between exam periods