preparation for exam module presentation

1. Cambridge Assessment
English
Getting the venue and room ready
Notice to candidates
Room Layout
Helpful material
Desk Spacing
Summary
About this module
Roles and Responsibilities
Preparing for an exam - your exam toolkit
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE

2. Cambridge Assessment
English
Preparing for the an exam module
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
 This learning is for an exam staff, invigilators and supervisors
 It aims to explain your role in invigilating Cambridge
Assessment English Examinations
 Completing each module should take you about 25 minutes

3. Cambridge Assessment
English
About this module
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
This is the first of the three modules in this course and it aims to
explain:
 The roles and responsibilities of supervisors and invigilators
 How to run an exam according to Cambridge Assessment English
Regulations.
This course will explain the key differences between the regulations for
paper-based exams, and for speaking, Listening and written papers.
Note: There are additional steps to take if a candidate needs their result
for immigration purposes - Please refer to the Exam Day Booklet.

4. Cambridge Assessment
English
Roles and Responsibilities
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
 Supervisors and invigilators are appointed by a Centre to be
responsible for running a Cambridge Assessment English Exam – but
how are the two roles different?
 Supervisors are responsible for the overall running of an exam at a
venue, coordinating the invigilators at that venue, and can also act
as invigilators.
 Invigilators are responsible for the administration of the exam in a
room on the exam day.
 Both roles represent Cambridge Assessment English on the exam
day and are integral to enforcing regulations whilst ensuring that
candidates are treated in professional and friendly manner.

5. Cambridge Assessment
English
Roles and Responsibilities
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
The role of the invigilator is to – Ensure security, run the exam
according to regulations and ensure the well-being of candidates.
To ensure and prevent malpractice –
 There must be at least one invigilator, supervising every 25
candidates during the exam. The invigilator must:
 Carry out ID checks
 Move around the room during the exam (except the listening test)
 Keep exam materials secure at all times
 Focus on the invigilation tasks- don’t do any other tasks in the
exam room
 Prevent and report malpractice.

6. Cambridge Assessment
English
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
To run the exam correctly you must:
 Follow the regulations from the relevant Exam Day Booklet
(EDB).
 Read out the full instructions from the relevant EDB
 Make sure papers are taken in the correct order and at the
correct times.
 Check IDs
 Be vigilant about the use of electronic devices and report any
concerns.
Roles and Responsibilities

7. Cambridge Assessment
English
Roles and Responsibilities
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
To ensure the well-being of candidates:
 Be able to relate to candidates in a pleasant and professional
manner.
 Provide suitable exam conditions so all candidates have an equal
opportunity to do well.
 Ensure the safety and comfort of candidates at all times.
 Be familiar with emergency procedures in the venue.

8. Cambridge Assessment
English
Preparing for an exam - your exam toolkit
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
To run an exam, you need:
 A copy of the running EDB
 A Room plan
 Copies of exam day forms, such as name amendment forms, malpractice
forms, and special consideration forms.
 Extra paper(only for the writing component)
 Test day photo equipment
 Notice to candidates’ poster.
 For a paper-based exam, you need a few more items for your toolkit
 Clock or other method of timing
 Note – clock and countdown timers must also display seconds
 Attendance registers
 Scissors
 The exam materials
 Script return envelops and labels

9. Cambridge Assessment
English
Getting the Venue and Room ready
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
Getting the venue and room ready –
 Candidates have designated area inside or outside the test
room to store their belongings.
 All electronic items, including mobile phones and smart watches
are stored outside the exam room.
 You comply with any relevant local laws about storing
candidate’s personal belongings (such as having to assume
liability for items that get stolen, lost and damaged when you
store them).

10. Cambridge Assessment
English
Notice to candidates
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
 Notice to candidates – Put up the notice to
candidates outside the exam rooms, where candidates
outside exam rooms, where candidates can easily read it.
 Room Layout – The EDB shows the correct layout.
Note that this is different for:
 Paper- based exams
 Computer based exams
 Speaking tests
 Follow the instructions in the relevant EDB to ensure
fairness and prevent malpractice and complaints from
candidates.

11. Cambridge Assessment
English
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
Helpful material –
 You must remove or cover any material in the exam room which
could be helpful. This includes anything that is in English.
 Note: Any health and safety information in English can be
displayed.
 You can display other posters in the exam room as long as they
are not written in English.
Helpful material

12. Cambridge Assessment
English
Desk spacing
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
Desk Spacing – Paper-based – desk must be at least 1.25 meters
apart – from the middle of each desk in all directions.
Note: If using tiered seating, for example consider increasing the 1.25m
distance to ensure candidates cannot see each other’s work or
communicate with one another.
Directions to the room – Make sure that all candidates can find
the exam room, for example:
 Put up directions signs
 Make other arrangements, such as collecting the candidates from
reception and escorting them to the room.
 In some cases candidates already know where the exam will be (for
example, it may be held in their classroom).

13. Cambridge Assessment
English
Paper-based exams - Room Layout
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
Paper-based exams - Room Layout
 There needs to be at least 1.25 meters between desks( from the
middle of the desks, in all directions)
 Invigilators should arrange the layout of the tables to enable them
to always have a view of the candidates when distributing and
collecting exam materials, such as a snake layout.
 Tables must be wide enough to fit two pieces of A4 paper side-by-
side.
 Candidates number must be placed on each desk.

14. Cambridge Assessment
English
Preparing for the an exam module
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
Listening Tests-
If you are invigilating a listening test, It’s that you check the playback
equipment to ensure it is working. Do this on the exam day before the
candidates arrive.
Tip: It’s a good idea to have spare equipment with you at the venue as
backup.
Note: don't let candidates hear the CD (for example during a sound
check). They should only hear the CD when doing the actual exam.
 Please ensure you use Windows Media Player if you use a laptop or
computer.

15. Cambridge Assessment
English
Preparing for the an exam module
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
Speaking tests:
 Preparation for speaking tests:
 Supervisors or marshals must escort candidates between waiting
areas and test rooms.
 Their IDs must be checked on arrival and before they go into the
exam room.
 The waiting area and test room must be kept quiet.
 Ensure personal belongings are kept in the waiting area.
 Waiting candidates must be kept separate from candidates who
have already done their test.
 Test rooms must not display any materials in English.
 Note: Speaking Examiners arrange the layout of the room.

16. Cambridge Assessment
English
Summary
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE
When preparing an exam room you need to check that :
 There are enough invigilators
 Candidates can find the room and have somewhere to put their
belongings during the exam
 There are no materials displayed in English in the exam room
 Correct postures and notices are displayed and that you have
everything you need for running the exam.
 The layout of the room and the desk spacing are correct.
 Listening test equipment is working.
 It’s part of your role to:
 Ensure fairness and prevent malpractice
 Maintain the security of exam materials
 Check candidates IDs.

17. Cambridge Assessment
English
Preparing for the an exam module
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM MODULE