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Secondary education

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Original poster

Invigilation - clocks, watches and timekeeping

41 replies

StarsAreWishes · 22/01/2022 16:13

DS just sat his first prelims and I am confused about some things. Understandably they are different to when I did then 30 years ago.

Rules say “no smartwatches” but DS was made to take off a regular digital watch. There is no clock in the exam hall and no other way to tell the time. We spent a lot of revision time practicing techniques like ensuring time is split equally amongst the marks (not spending too long on low mark questions) so am confused as to how this should be achieved. Several study guides for different subjects referenced this technique.

Also, some of the exams are very precise time-lengths, e.g. 1hr 34 min because they are worked out at e.g. 4 minutes per mark. But the invigilators apparently spend quite a bit of time going through all the rules at the start time of the exam and that seems to be included in the exam time.

The prelims are held in a large hall with all doors and windows open (so essentially outside) but the kids aren’t allowed to wear even jumpers, let alone coats “in case they cheat by having something up the sleeve”. DS was so cold when he got home I put him in a warm bath to warm up.

They were told they weren’t allowed to touch their masks once the exam had started, because they “could have answers written inside”.

Is all of this normal? It seems really over the top.

OP posts:
TeenPlusCat · 22/01/2022 16:24

Removing all watches seems to be the things now as they can't tell which are smart and which aren't.

I find it unlikely there wasn't a clock in the room. I would check that.
Similarly time would surely only start once instructions were finished with.

The masks thing and no jumpers seems weird.

DistrictCommissioner · 22/01/2022 16:27

The rules state no watches. There should be a clock in the room. We have 4.
Setting out the guidance etc shouldn’t be part of the exam time. Ours kids allowed to wear coats.

grey12 · 22/01/2022 16:28

Some of those rules seem weird Hmm they're being too picky

But I would talk to the school regarding having a clock in the room. I remember one exam at uni the clock wasn't working and they scrambled around to find one which they put on a chair on top of a table so everyone could see

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 16:28

JCQ rules have changed so that students are not allowed watches of any kind (previously they were allowed analogue watches which had to be removed and placed on desk).

JCQ rules state that there has to be a clock in the hall displaying the actual time (not a count down clock) and that the start and finish time (and other stuff) needs to be displayed.

Invigilators can’t tell students the time if asked but can (although don’t have to) give a 5 min warning of end of exam.

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 16:30

The time starts after instructions are given out - the lead invigilator will say when exam starts.

That said I have no idea what prelims are and if they are covered by JCQ rules.

TeenPlusCat · 22/01/2022 16:32

Anyone know the reason not to allow a countdown (or count up) clock?
(As someone whose DD struggles with time telling.)

Original poster
StarsAreWishes · 22/01/2022 16:44

Thanks. That’s really helpful.

Does anyone know when the rules changed on watches? I can’t find anything through searching other than the current SQA guidance that says smart watches are not allowed.

We are in Scotland. SQA is a member of JCQ so rules should be the same.

There were several kids affected - some of DSs friends also.

I guess regarding the time taken to explain the rules … if the kids had no watches or clock they probably didn’t realise that the time was taken from after that point.

Invigilation - clocks, watches and timekeeping
OP posts:
TeenPlusCat · 22/01/2022 16:48

DD1 did GCSEs 6 years ago and was allowed a watch, so since then I think.

CaptainMyCaptain · 22/01/2022 16:49

@TeenPlusCat

Removing all watches seems to be the things now as they can't tell which are smart and which aren't.

I find it unlikely there wasn't a clock in the room. I would check that.
Similarly time would surely only start once instructions were finished with.

The masks thing and no jumpers seems weird.

There has to be a clock in the room, it's in the regulations. The invigilator times the exam from this clock nor their own watch.

When I invigilated (before Covid) all watches had to be removed and placed on the table but any watch with internet capability had to be handed in.

The jumpers thing certainly wasn't in the rules the last time I looked. I've no idea about masks but unless they took it off and stared at the inside of it I don't see how they could cheat. As an invigilator you are on the look out for odd behaviour like getting things out of their sleeves anyway.

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 16:54

@StarsAreWishes

Thanks. That’s really helpful.

Does anyone know when the rules changed on watches? I can’t find anything through searching other than the current SQA guidance that says smart watches are not allowed.

We are in Scotland. SQA is a member of JCQ so rules should be the same.

There were several kids affected - some of DSs friends also.

I guess regarding the time taken to explain the rules … if the kids had no watches or clock they probably didn’t realise that the time was taken from after that point.

It changed for this school year re watches.

The students should be absolutely clear re time starting etc. there is a set script / recording which goes through the instructions and the length of the exam / start / finish time must be delayed. The invigilator also tells the students when to start so that is when the timing is from.

If there is no clock or these things not happening this is clear breach of JCQ rules - I would report it to the schools exams officer.

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 16:55

(Part of my job is exams and the rules are very clear and fixed).

maddy68 · 22/01/2022 16:57

There will be a clock and the invigilator will explain the rules and then the start and end time gets written on a board.

There will definitely be a clock

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 16:59

If you want a fun read these are the rules;

www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ICE_21-22_FINAL.pdf

HumbugWhale · 22/01/2022 16:59

I have noticed a lot of my secondary students cannot tell the time with an analogue clock, we have them in our class rooms and they often ask me what the time is and say they don't understand the clock. I imagine this must be a problem in exams where the clocks are usually analogue and watches are not allowed.

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 17:05

@HumbugWhale

I have noticed a lot of my secondary students cannot tell the time with an analogue clock, we have them in our class rooms and they often ask me what the time is and say they don't understand the clock. I imagine this must be a problem in exams where the clocks are usually analogue and watches are not allowed.
Loads can’t read an analogue clock - if anyone has children taking public exams make sure they can!!

Also the exam starts time has to be the actual real time so for eg in an exam which lasts 1 hr 15 mins if the exam starts at 9.12 the start time will be displayed as 9.12 and the finish time as 10.27 you are not allowed to change the time back to 9 for example.

If students have extra time it will be displayed start time, finish time e/t finish time - if there are both 10% and 25% e/t in room then both will be displayed. You can give 5 min warning for end of normal time and also for end of e/t.

Original poster
StarsAreWishes · 22/01/2022 17:16

@HumbugWhale and @LadyLazarus40 I think you have both hit the nail on the head regarding the clock. I just questioned DS and his friends, one couldn’t see the clock from his seat and was too nervous to lean out to see it. One still maintains that there was no clock. DS says there might have been a tiny clock but not one he could read.

He struggles to read an analogue clock (he is mildly dyslexic and has dyspraxia).

I’m really not sure how he is going to manage these exams now Sad. He has studied so hard, but he really needs to know the timing otherwise he doesn’t get through the whole paper.

Why on earth wouldn’t they communicate something like this in advance?

OP posts:
LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 17:22

The clock should be clearly visible to all pupils so if he can’t see it raise this with school.

I would teach him to use the same strategies with the clock as he would with his watch.

You will know what time the exam is scheduled to start and the length so if it’s eg scheduled to start at 9.00 and is 1 hr 15 mins make sure he will know what 9am and 10.15 look like. The invigilator will tell them the time it actually starts eg 9.04 so he may be able to add that on mentally when looking at the clock but even if he can’t it’s not likely to be a huge difference. I would ask yr exams officer if they give a 5 min warning also.

Does he get e/t?

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 17:23

You can work in strategies with him eg what the clock will look like half way through exam.

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 17:26

I would expect that a school would tell all students in advance of the exam what they can and cannot take into the exam room (sadly many students have selective hearing - I guess that’s the joys of teenagers).

Original poster
StarsAreWishes · 22/01/2022 17:27

We will try very hard, but if he hasn’t been able to learn it in 15 years, despite trying hard and very much wanting to, at this point I have to think he just isn’t able to.

It’s not fecklessness, lack of effort, or lack of intelligence - not a stealth brag but he is in top sets and gets top marks in tests. But his brain just doesn’t seem to make the connection between the face of an analogue click, and the concept of time. He also can’t tie his shoelaces, but neither of those are things I thought would affect exam performance.

OP posts:
givememykeys · 22/01/2022 17:28

@LadyLazarus40

You can work in strategies with him eg what the clock will look like half way through exam.
The difficulty with that is that you won't know in advance what time the exam will start.

I would check with the exams officer where the clocks will be so your son knows exactly where to look and you can be re-assured that there is one and confirm that the reading of the instructions is before the exam timing starts

It seems unlikely that a school would be breaking the exam rules.

LadyLazarus40 · 22/01/2022 17:35

@givememykeys you will know the expected start time - this is published and the school will put it on students exam time table. A 9 o clock exam will probably start after 9 (although quite possibly not) but it will only be a few minutes after unless in exceptional circumstances.

givememykeys · 22/01/2022 17:41

[quote LadyLazarus40]@givememykeys you will know the expected start time - this is published and the school will put it on students exam time table. A 9 o clock exam will probably start after 9 (although quite possibly not) but it will only be a few minutes after unless in exceptional circumstances.[/quote]
Well obviously but if the exam starts at 10 past teaching what the clock will look like half way through the exam wont give the boy the correct information. In a 90 minute exam that's a big difference when you are timing your answers as precisely as the OP has explained.

ChicCroissant · 22/01/2022 17:57

The regulations about clocks in the room have been in place for some years now, so really it would have been better if the school had used the same system for exams so the pupils got used to it. If the pupils can't see the clock then that should be raised with the school.

I used to invigilate and we used to ask the pupils to remove watches, again just getting them used to how it would be in an exam. It might be worth raising this with the school, getting them used to the exam procedures as early as possible so it's not such a shock on the day.

TeenPlusCat · 22/01/2022 17:58

We have analogue clocks in our living room, dining room and kitchen. DD also had a watch from juniors to try to help her. For more years than should have been necessary we had an ELC clock as well. However DD still struggles with to and past, as well as left and right and random other things. A count up / count down clock would help her.