The summer exam season might feel like months away, but schools around the country are already getting their students ready. In most schools, teachers don’t have the time to do the exam invigilator job themselves. Schools and exam boards rely on an army of casual staff to make sure everything runs smoothly during the exams. You don’t need to be a teacher to apply, and it could be a great way of earning some extra cash for the summer. The application process isn’t always quick though, so start investigating opportunities now if you’re interested.
What does an exam invigilator’s job entail?
Everyone thinks that invigilators are there to catch cheats, but that’s only part of the job. They have to make sure the exam starts on time, and finishes on time. They make sure the exam papers are stored properly, then collected in and sent off to be marked. The job also involves dealing with students who arrive late, or want to leave early. Invigilators also walk around the exam room during the test to make sure there are no banned materials or mobile phones in use.
Qualifications needed
It’s certainly true that lots of retired teachers go back into schools each summer to invigilate exams. But you don’t need to be a teacher, or have any educational background at all. It doesn’t even matter if you failed all of your exams at school! The exam boards are looking for people who are organised and who work well under pressure. You need to be comfortable dealing with unforeseen circumstances, and using your initiative to problem solve. You also have to be physically up to the job of being on your feet for several hours at a time. Usually, formal qualifications aren’t needed. You will need to have a good level of both spoken and written English though. Look on local council websites or exam board websites to find out about the procedures in your area.
Most organisations will expect you to commit to a minimum number of hours over the exam period. If you’re looking after exams in a University, you might be expected to work during the main exams in May, the resits in August and the January exams too.
Vetting and Training
The first step in getting work as an invigilator is to fill in the application form. There’s no harm in applying for jobs with several different institutions. Universities and colleges recruit for these positions too. For work in schools, where you’ll be dealing with children under the age of 18, you will need an enhanced DBS check. You can apply for your checks online. It can take a few weeks for checks to be done, which is why recruitment starts for the May and June exams in the New Year. Exam boards and Universities run in-depth training sessions for new invigilators, and refresher courses for people who have done the work before. You can expect to earn about £8 per hour during the exam period.