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Original poster

Are there any Exam Officers here today? Help needed. Please?

85 replies

Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:07

I haven't worked in a year or so. I applied for a job as an exam invigilator in my son's school and am due to start on Tuesday.

Having gone to the training, I don't want to do it! It's more responsibility than I thought and am having dreams about the children looking to me for guidance and I won't know what I'm doing!

Would it be really bad if I explained tomorrow that I just don't feel confident enough? Would an Exam officer have enough people to fill in my gaps?

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 12/05/2019 16:08

If it’s anything like my children’s schools they won’t have any back up.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:10

Thanks for posting but that isn't what I wanted to hear! Oh hell!

OP posts:
laikalooo · 12/05/2019 16:10

Really don’t worry - it will be fine. You’re not on your own and you will be able to ask for help if you need it.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:13

Have you done it @laikalooo? I hope you're not the EO!

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 12/05/2019 16:15

Please don’t! Just go and you’ll be fine. If you’re not sure there will be someone else to ask.

Shylo · 12/05/2019 16:15

I doubt they would have back up at this late stage

What is it that you are worrying about? What guidance do you think you won’t be able to give ? Surely you won’t be the only person there, they’ll be someone more senior to defer to if you need help ...... it’s understandable that you are anxious about returning to work after such a long break, but don’t back out now

MuttsNutts · 12/05/2019 16:15

Seriously, it’s a doddle. Boredom is the main issue.

Lindor · 12/05/2019 16:18

I invigilate regularly. Unless you’ve signed up to be senior invigilator you will be told exactly what to do by the invigilator in charge.
This will generally be giving out and collecting papers, handing out spare pens, pencils etc. If a child asks a question you can’t answer you go and ask the senior invigilator what to do.
It will be fine. Be brave and give it a go.

pearldeodorant · 12/05/2019 16:20

I've invigilated before - what are you worried about? It's super chill.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:21

I need to be brave! I thought it would be a doddle until the training!

I asked last week if I could have the first session with an experienced invigilator and it was a yes, but felt that it wasn't a reasonable request.

OP posts:
Original poster
Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:23

Ok @pearl. I thought the teachers were there more - not sure they are.

What if they all sit in the wrong seats - could that happen?

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Original poster
Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:26

So, I won't be on my own then? I thought it was one to 30? I would always be with a senior?

I know I'm overthinking this but I am worried!

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 12/05/2019 16:27

It will be fine, you won’t be alone in the room. Our 2 big exam rooms have 3 invigilators in. You just hand out the papers, spare pens etc and take the odd student to the loo in silence.

The kids know the drill they will have sat several mocks in exam conditions.

MuttsNutts · 12/05/2019 16:29

The exams officer or other member of staff will be there to start and finish the exam. You really don’t need to worry at all.

Come back tomorrow evening and tell us how easy it was Smile

titchy · 12/05/2019 16:30

There'll be hundreds of kids in the room and several invigilators!

Singleandproud · 12/05/2019 16:31

If its for GCSE and I suspect A levels they have a card with their photo on and you will have a seating plan with all of their names on. They will have had chance to see the seating plan before they go in too.

Our 2 exam rooms hold about 80 students each and then. There are some small exam rooms with 1 invigilator in for children with SEN or anxiety. If you are in one of these its likely you’ll have a TA, scribe, reader type person in there too.

You will also have a mobile so you can ring the exams officer if students don’t turn up or you have a query and normally the exams officer and a member of slot will be walking around making sure everything is ok.

Lindor · 12/05/2019 16:32

The exam officer and senior invigilator will have a list of seating, and papers to be given out. You will probably find that the exam room is already set up by the time you get there and all you have to do is give out papers and patrol up and down.

Teachers don’t invigilate, and are not allowed into the exam hall!

Singleandproud · 12/05/2019 16:33

The teachers aren’t allowed in the room for. GCSE /A level they aren’t allowed to see the exam paper

Runkle · 12/05/2019 16:34

You'll be fine. I've read a book whilst invigilating! Please don't let them down at such short notice. There's usually a chief invigilator so you can always defer to them/your other invigilators.

Orchidflower1 · 12/05/2019 16:34

Good luck op- think how proud you’ll feel this time tomorrow! Let us know how you get on .

Redcliff · 12/05/2019 16:35

I had invigilating training a few months ago and was quietly terrified but have done it a couple of times and its been fine. Surely you won't be the only grown up there?

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/05/2019 16:35

I'm going back to invigilating tomorrow for my fifth year. They won't put you on your own at first. The only time you would be on your own is if there are only a few students (unusual subject or students with additional needs in which case there would probably be a TA as well) and they wouldn't put you in that position straight away. The person preparing the room will have a seating plan, we put a card on each desk with student's name and photo so they don't get the wrong seat. Otherwise the lead invigilator will direct them to their seats. I was nervous the first time but don't worry it will all fall into place although as someone said it can be very boring.

user1471525753 · 12/05/2019 16:37

I'm an exams officer. Please don't do this! Invigilators letting you down at the last minute is a total nightmare. The student numbers to invigilator ratios must be maintained, it they can't find someone to fill the gap, they can't run the exam. Explain you are nervous and ask not to be put in a room on your own. Most of the time it's really boring and there will always be someone to advise you when anything unexpected happens. You will be fine, if you are unsure of anything just ask.

user1471525753 · 12/05/2019 16:39

Oh yeah, and please don't take a book to read!! You are not allowed to do anything other than invigilate, if an inspector turns up and finds you reading, you, the exams officer and the school will all be done for malpractice.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 12/05/2019 16:43

Thank you so much you lovely people! I'm so glad I posted.

I really want to do this and you have helped me so much.

Going to go for it on Tuesday. If anyone is interested, I shall let you know how I got on.

I may need a bit of a confidence boost tomorrow night though!

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