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

[Guardsman18]

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, they have to put the fear of god into you in the training so that you understand it is a serious responsibility (which you obviously do!) Please ignore PP who said they have read a book whilst invigilating as that is strictly against the rules. The main difficulty is staying awake and vigilant, but I think you'll be fine as you are clearly taking it very seriously.

In answer to your question though, about dropping out at the last minute - please do not do that to a school as they are relying on you being there. A school will usually have very complex invigilation timetables with all the different rooms, access arrangements and timings and it's very difficult if something has to change last minute. You'll be fine!

I hear you Tripped. Really I do. I am not usually this unreliable.

As I said - so glad I posted

Just don't do this:

Yes. Reading a book (or checking your phone) is strictly against the rules. Don't do it.

titchy I think we had that clip in our training. I do sometimes practice standing on one leg at the back though.

It wasn't the boredom that was worrying me - I quite like my thoughts! - it was just that it seemed daunting after the training.

I won't be reading a book - I'll be too concerned about when I have to say 'five minutes left'. Just kidding.

I'm still nervous but I'm glad that people have reassured me.

I love being an invigilator! I've done it for years.
You will be with a more senior invigilator and they will guide you.
I tend to quietly walk around the entire time. Helps to up my step count for the day.
DO NOT READ A BOOK.
If you are really lucky you'll get the opportunity to invigilate some GCSE/ level art exams. Such a wonderful thing to witness.

Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Also, the lead invigilator will probably make all the announcements, unless you feel you'd like to do it.

NC for this...I’m in exactly the same position as you !
Not worked for a few years...after redundancy / early retirement from a professional role.
I start invigilating at the local school tomorrow......and I’m sitting here wanting to pull out of it, and wondering what the hell I’m doing it for! Certainly not the pay, I just thought it would be nice to “ do” something again, apart from pottering around with my pets and doing a bit of housework/shopping/helping out with grandchild.
I’m hoping I can actually stand up for hours...I’ve been told you don’t get a break, and are not allowed to sit at all. My first stint tomorrow is 8.30-12.30.
It appears that most schools are desperate for invigilators, and it’s taken 2 months to get all the training /DBS/references required.
I’m sure we will both be fine!

I start on Tuesday. Will you let me know how it goes tomorrow?

You'll be fine. I've read a book whilst invigilating

In that case you weren’t invigilating!!

OP you’ll be fine - there will be a seating plan, the desks will be numbered, you may or may not have photo iD depending on the school.

Make sure you have shoes which won’t make any noise (rubber soles) read the JCQ regulations and do what your lead invigilator tells you. I’m guessing you’ll be in the main hall it’s straight forward.

Make sure you know the schools policy on how mobile phones are taken in etc etc. Check you know what you can and can’t do (not read a book, can’t give advice, can’t tell students how long is remaining etc etc),

I’m invigilating tomorrow in a small room with complex access arrangements.

I feel it’s a privilege to invigilate - you are such an important part of the young persons gcse experience- do read your copy of the JCQ regs v carefully.

I start on Tuesday

So you’re doing French listening & reading and / or Biology.

Biology they need a calculator and must have removed the cover prior to entering the room.

If you are really lucky you'll get the opportunity to invigilate some GCSE/ level art exams. Such a wonderful thing to witness.

Art are my absolute favourites! Was privileged to do this years GCSE’s and saw some amazing work!

I've invigilated a few GCSE exams. The worst thing is boredom, as you cannot read a book or look at your phone.

If anything happens, there are senior invigilators and corridor walkers whom you can contact.
Last year a student's mobile phone buzzed, despite numerous warnings before the exam about making sure they were switched off and put away.
The extent of my involvement was taking the phone off the student, alerting the senior exam team and writing a brief report about what happened.

After a few exams under your belt, you may find yourself hoping for an incident to break the monotony.

IF (this won't happen) you are the only invigilator in the room, remember that the kids have all done this before, several times. They know where to sit.

All you need to do is wait until everyone is in, and quiet, and then read the instructions on the front of the exam paper out loud and probably a sheet of rules too. Any exams officer worth their salt will have prepped the room with everything you might need.

When you start the exam, make a note of the time and write it on the whiteboard. Work out the time that makes the end of the exam and write that too.

Once the exam has started give yourself a few minutes to read through any other information you've been given (e.g. what to do if the fire alarm goes off) and then relax!

In my school new invigilators always go in the hall with several others with more experience. TAs cover the SEN rooms. We also have a folder of info in each room and the papers and whiteboard are set up by the EO beforehand.

You'll be fine, and bored!

They will match you up with at least one experienced invigilator whilst you find your feet, so don’t panic!

I will report back tomorrow!

It really is easy. The 1:30 is the minimum number so in a room of 100 you would need 4 invigilators.

Seriously your only hurdle is the sheer mind numbing boredom!

Also remember the pupils will look at you as ‘the invigilator’! You have authority in their eyes before you open your mouth.

So fake it til you make it!

Chortling at the poster who reckoned they read a book while invigilating! Hilarious that, jeopardising an entire exam just so you could polish off your Maeve Binchy.
Or maybe it didn't happen.

Having read what you've all said, I'm going to go for it with confidence.

I'll be back to let you know how it went. Go me!

Good luck today @Newjobnewname ! I'm not feeling so confident this morning and have had awful dreams - must have been the wine!

fake it til you make it

Great advice.

OP please make sure your phone is off.
Good luck.

Well I just did my first stint...and I was on my feet from 8.15 -12-15. Now I have a nagging backache...when I don’t ever suffer with a back problem.
Not for me, I’m aftraid...so I have just told them that unfortunately I won’t be going back.
Hope your day goes well tomorrow Guardsman18