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Invigilators: Please can someone help?!

13 replies

mumonnet · 15/03/2018 18:32

I am starting a casual job as an exams invigilator in my kids´school. I see that some of you here have experience in this job.
I went for the training a few days ago, but I am confused about the exam papers collection.
It says in the handbook that the order of the scripts has to be ascending. We were told that the collection order does not matter much, the important thing is that all the papers will be there in the end, and that we are careful with green cards, out of sequence, etc.
We are supposed to pick all the papers starting from the first table in the row at our left (lowest candidate number), going all the way down, and then go up whilst picking up exams from the next row.
My doubts are:
Are the lead invigilators or the exam officer the ones who will put the papers in the right order later, so I must not worry and just pick them up as they explained?
I believe that if we start from the lowest candidate number, unless we flip the first paper and then pile the others behind it, the papers will be in descending order, not ascending.
In the same way, when we go to the next row, starting collection from bottom, we are first picking the highest candidate number, so again, if we put the following papers below this one, then the order will be descending, not ascending.
As you can see, I am confused and I only see as solution to pick them up for each row so that the highest number stays in the bottom, but then for each row, since I go zig zag, I will have to do a different thing, or papers pile.
Is this correct and the way it should be done? Or am I just stressing over nothing?
Anybody with experience that can help, please?
Thank you!

OP posts:
MrsLinManuelMiranda · 15/03/2018 18:37

I invigilatated for an exam today(college functional skills) . Our exams office deals with the order of scripts etc. Don't stress yourself.

Coulddowithanap · 15/03/2018 19:15

Our exam officer arranges the seating so that numbers ascend up row A (front of hall to back) then down row B (back of hall to front) then up C and down D etc. When we collect papers we hold them face down so the next one goes on the back of the last so they stay in ascending order.

We all work together to check papers are in the right order, well ones person reads from the list and marks the students present whilst another checks the names on the papers. We always get some out of order as in our school we usually have around 5-10 students who either need extra time, laptop or have a condition that requires them to be in separate class room. Also some exams may be split over a couple of halls if it's the whole year group doing the exam.

Seriously though don't worry about it, if you collect the papers in the wrong order the worst that will happen is it takes a bit longer to order them correctly. I'm sure the more experienced invigilators will show you on the day.. they won't expect you to know everything.

The thing I struggle with is not being able to sit down for 2 hours (new rules this year) and also not eating as my tummy rumbles really loudly!

NewYearNewMe18 · 15/03/2018 19:17

Retired Exam Officer here.

They are collected, ticked off against registers and sorted back into numerical order.

mumonnet · 15/03/2018 21:41

Thanks so much to everyone!
I guess I was really stressing myself with no need.
I just want to do things right, and make others´job easier if I can, as we are supposed to be a team of people working together.
Coulddowithanap, I am with you: standing for so long does not sound ideal, but as long as I am able to move and walk around, I should be fine.
Many thanks again to you all.

OP posts:
Hippee · 15/03/2018 21:45

Coulddowithanap - is the standing rule for all exam boards? I usually prefer to stand, but when it's a really small exam/exam room/one-to-one, I can't imagine standing for 2 hours.

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 15/03/2018 21:50

mum

Everyone else has answered but i will just reiterate that yiu shoukdnt worry if you make a mistake

They will tell you another time but it wont balls up someones GCSE and thats the important thing

We are not allowed to sit down...and we have to keep moving, like sharks Grin

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 15/03/2018 21:59

Oh my god!!!

My typing!!!

xyzandabc · 15/03/2018 22:13

It is easier for the exams office if they are in numerical order but don't worry about it, the lead invigilator in the room should tell you how to collect them at the end of the exam.

Ours is a huge school, we could have 10 + rooms all sitting the same exam, all those papers have to be brought back to the exams office and amalgamated in to one big pile in numerical order, then checked by the exams office before they are sent off. The exams office will put them right if they are not in order. Just do what you're told on the day. You'll soon figure out how your school do things.

mumonnet · 15/03/2018 23:18

Thank you, with the reassurance and encouragement from all of you, I feel more confident now.
I will humbly ask, follow indications, try to relax and just learn the process. Collection now seems quite straight forward and safe, even for a beginner, as the ultimate control is in hands of the exams office, anyway.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 15/03/2018 23:44

I've done a lot of invigilation. You sound an ideal colleague - thoughtful and conscientious.

Londonloubelia · 15/03/2018 23:59

Can you advise me please how to become an invigilator?

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 16/03/2018 07:58

london

Contact the exams officer at your local schools Smile

Londonloubelia · 16/03/2018 08:45

Rufus, thank you.

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