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Exam Invigilator

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Exam invigilators are responsible for overseeing students during exams to ensure that all rules and procedures are followed. Their main duties include preparing the exam room, distributing and collecting exam papers, monitoring candidates to prevent cheating, and dealing with any issues that arise during the exam. This role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the examination process in schools, colleges, and universities. The position is often seasonal, with most work available during key examination periods. It requires attention to detail, reliability, and good communication skills. No formal qualifications are typically needed, but a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is usually required.

Exam Invigilator

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📊 Statistics

Typical Salary

Exam invigilators in the UK usually earn between £10 and £13 per hour.

Demand

Thousands of exam invigilator positions are advertised across the UK each year, particularly during peak exam seasons in May, June, and January.

Working Hours

Most roles are part-time or temporary, with shifts typically running for 2 to 4 hours at a time.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Chief Exam Invigilator

The lead person responsible for managing a team of invigilators, ensuring exam regulations are followed, and handling any issues that arise during the examination.

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Special Needs Exam Invigilator

An invigilator who provides support for students with special educational needs during exams, ensuring appropriate arrangements and adjustments are in place.

On-Screen Exam Invigilator

An invigilator who specialises in supervising computer-based or online examinations, making sure digital exam protocols are strictly followed.

Understand the Role

Research the Duties

Learn about the responsibilities and tasks of an Exam Invigilator.

Exam Invigilators are expected to supervise exam rooms, distribute and collect papers, ensure students follow the rules, and report any incidents. It's important to understand the expectations of the role and how it contributes to the fair running of exams.

Familiarise Yourself with Exam Procedures

Study the key rules and regulations that apply during exams.

Each exam board may have specific procedures, but there are common rules such as not allowing unauthorised materials, keeping exam conditions quiet, and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency. Schools and colleges will usually provide training, but prior knowledge is helpful.

Meet the Entry Requirements

Check Eligibility Criteria

Ensure you meet the basic requirements, such as age and background checks.

Most schools require invigilators to be at least 18 years old and to pass an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, as the role involves working with young people or vulnerable adults. Some organisations may ask for prior experience, but many welcome applicants from various backgrounds.

Demonstrate Key Skills

Show you have skills such as attention to detail, reliability, and good communication.

Invigilators need to be vigilant, organised, calm under pressure, and able to communicate instructions clearly. Highlight any relevant experience, such as customer service, administration, or working with young people, in your application.

Apply for Invigilator Positions

Search and Apply for Roles

Look for job vacancies at schools, colleges, universities, or exam centres.

Vacancies are often advertised on the websites of local schools, councils, or through job boards. Applications may be seasonal, especially before exam periods. Prepare a concise CV highlighting your suitability for the role.

Attend Training Sessions

Complete any required training provided by your employer.

Almost all organisations will provide training to new invigilators, covering procedures, safeguarding, emergency protocols, and the use of any required equipment. Completing this training is essential before beginning work.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Exam Invigilator. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

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Sample Qualifications

An Exam Invigilator and a Secondary school teacher both work within educational environments and are involved in the administration and supervision of student activities. While their roles differ in scope and qualifications required, both positions focus on supporting the learning process and maintaining a suitable environment for exams and classroom learning.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

Undergraduate degree

You can do an undergraduate degree that leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), for example:

  • Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) with QTS
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS

Postgraduate certificate

If you already have a bachelor's degree without qualified teacher status, you can complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). This can be done at university or through a training programme based in a school.

You do not always need to have a degree in the subject you'd like to teach. Your teacher training organisation will decide whether you have the required skills and knowledge to teach the subject

You can sometimes do a subject knowledge enhancement course to improve your understanding of the subject you want to teach.

More teacher training options

There are more training options if you want to change career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

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Apprenticeship

You could do the Teacher Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
  • a degree for a teaching apprenticeship

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Work

You could start as a teaching assistant or learning mentor and do a part time degree. You could then move onto a postgraduate teaching course to qualify as a teacher.

Volunteering

You might find it helpful to get some experience of working with young people.

You could volunteer at a school, do youth work or work on a holiday scheme.

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Registration

Career tips

You can also attend a Get Into Teaching event before you apply to get advice about teaching, funding and the different training routes available. You can attend events in person and online.

Further information

You can discover more about how to become a teacher from Get Into Teaching.

You can also search for jobs through the Teaching Vacancies service.

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