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The role of an invigilator

The role of an invigilator is to uphold the integrity of the examination process 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

Invigilators must:
• Be familiar with the most up to date JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations
• Give all their attention to conducting the examination properly
• Be able to observe each candidate on the examination room at all times
• Inform the exams officer or lead invigilator if they are suspicious of anything that may impact upon the integrity
of the examination process

Invigilators must not:

Carry out any other task (e.g. reading a booking, marking or using a mobile phone) in the exam room
The roles and responsibilities of an invigilator will vary from one school to another, ensure to ask the schools exam officer
or lead invigilator if you have any questions or queries.

Access Arrangements
The intention behind an access arrangement is to ‘level the playing field’ without affecting the integrity of the assessment.
Make sure to check in advance with the exams officer or lead invigilator which candidates, if any, have been granted
access arrangements and ask for guidance if you unsure how to carry them out. Below are some of the most common
access arrangements used within examinations and some do’s and don’ts.

Extra Time
Extra time may be offered to the candidate before the end of the exam. In some schools if the candidate chooses to not
use their extra time, they must sign the extra time refusal form. Ask the exams officer or lead invigilator what the school
recommends
• Try to seat those requiring extra time where they will be least disturbed by other candidates leaving the room
• Make sure the candidates granted extra time carry on for the necessary additional time. Invigilators must be
aware in advance of the examination which candidates have been granted extra time to
• Complete their examination and be provided with guidance as to how to work out the percentage of extra time
need for an individual.

Reader
A reader is a responsible adult who reads the instructions of the question paper and the questions to the candidate. This
may involve reading the whole paper to the candidate or the candidate may request only some words to be read.
• may enable a visually impaired candidate to identify diagrams, graphs and tables but must not give factual
information nor offer any suggestions, other than that information which would be available for sighted
candidates
• may read numbers printed in figures as words (e.g. 2356 would be read as Two thousand three hundred and fifty
six but when reading the number it should also be pointed to on the question paper). An exception would be
when the question is asking for a number to be written in words (e.g. write the number 3675 in words)
• may read back, when requested, what the candidate has written
• may, if requested, give the spelling of a word which appears on the paper but otherwise spellings must not be
given
• must read accurately
• must only read the instructions of the question paper(S) questions and must not explain or clarify
• must only repeat the instructions of the question paper or questions when a candidate indicates a specific need
for help
• must only read the instructions of a paper resting reading and must not read individual questions or text
• must abide by the regulations since failure to do so could lead to the disqualification of the candidate
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• must not advise the candidate regarding which questions to do, when to move on the next question, nor the
order in which the questions should be answered
• must not decode any symbols and unit abbreviations e.g. 2 ² should not be read as two squared, but the function
simply pointed to by the reader. Part of the assessment is recognising what the superscript 2 means. Similarly, if
the symbol > is printed, it should not be read as ‘greater than’ but simply pointed to by the reader.

Scribe
A scribe is a responsible adult who, writes down or word processes a candidate’s dictated answers to the questions. In all
cases a scribe cover sheet must be completed and signed the scribe and attached to the candidates script. Ask the schools
exams officer or lead invigilator for one of these.
• must write or type accurately, and at a reasonable speed, what the candidate has said (except in an examination
requiring word processing where a scribe will not be permitted)
• must draw or add to maps, diagrams and graphs strictly in accordance with the candidate’s instructions, unless
the candidate is taking a design paper, in which case a scribe will only be permitted to assist with the written
parts of the paper
• must abide by the regulations since failure to do so could lead to the disqualification of the candidate
• must immediately refer to any problems in communication during the examination to the invigilator
• must not give factual help to the candidate or indicate when the answer is complete
• must not advise the candidate on which question to do, when to move on to the next question, or on the order in
which the questions should be answered
• may, at the candidate’s request, read back what has been recorded

Supervised rest breaks

• Try to seat those requiring supervised rest breaks where the will be least disturbed by other candidates leaving
the room
• The timing of the examination should be paused and re-started when the candidate is ready to continue
• During the supervised the candidate must not have access to the question paper/answer booklet
• If the candidate needs to leave the examination room, an invigilator must accompany the candidate
• There is no maximum time set for supervised rest breaks. The duration of the supervised rest break should be
determined by the SENCo before the start of the examination series
• The supervised rest break is not included in any extra time allowance
• Make sure that candidates granted supervised rest breaks carry on for the necessary additional time. Invigilators
must be aware in advance of the examination which candidates have been granted supervised rest breaks

Points to remember
• Make sure you arrive on time
• Take your DBS and photo ID with you
• Wear smart clothes and smart but comfortable shoes- shoes should not make noise when walking on a wooden
floor as this can be distracting to candidates
• Be proactive and use your common sense

General tasks you may be required to complete

• Post the seating plan and exam register outside the hall
• Line pupils up outside the hall
• Ensure pupils receive the correct exam papers. Some pupils may need additional answer booklets. Check the
paper is the correct tier or level for the pupil
• Ensure each desk has the correct materials e.g. calculators, pencils, protractors etc. for exams
• Patrol the hall
• Be a presence of authority before, during and after the exam
• Note and report any suspicious behaviours
• Follow school regulations regarding access to toilets
• Check that papers have the correct names on them
• Some invigilators may be required to support SEN pupils in separate rooms, and write answers for them
• Discuss issues in debriefing at the end of the day