(Formerly known as the EODA) The Exams Manager/Officer Continuing Professional Development Accreditation is annually updated on an academic year basis and access to the accreditation is included within your centre membership to The Exams Office
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an ongoing process, which includes in this context, refreshing/confirming existing knowledge and understanding of exam regulations.
What the accreditation offers
An online assessment designed to support exams office staff in confirming (assessing) their knowledge and understanding of examination regulations.
However, those new to the role are encouraged to complete the NEW EXAMS MANAGER/OFFICER INDUCTION AND ASSESSMENT MODULE before attempting this accreditation.
The accreditation also forms a key part of the National Association of Examinations Officers (NAEO) Exams Manager/Officer Professional Standards. The NAEO formally endorses the accreditation (by the inclusion of its logo within the online certificate) as the formal measurement of one of the key elements of the Standards – confirmation of an exams manager/officer’s knowledge and understanding of exam regulations.
By successfully completing this accreditation on an annual basis you will be confirming to senior leaders within your centre, and key stakeholders such as the JCQ and its member awarding bodies, that you possess a strong knowledge and understanding of the key regulations associated with the management, administration and conducting of examinations. This is a key element of qualifying an individual to undertake the role of exams officer within a centre.
There are also aspects of the role which are centre-specific and cannot be covered by an online assessment. Therefore, the use of the term ‘accreditation’ rather than ‘qualification’ is more appropriate, as this assessment will:
- recognise an individual as being qualified to perform the functions relating to the exams officer role as defined by the JCQ, the awarding bodies and Ofqual
- raise the status of the role within the education sector
- support heads of centre in ensuring that the integrity and security of examinations is maintained within their centres
What the accreditation covers
The accreditation is purely an assessment with questions covering content from the following JCQ documents and information:
- General Regulations for Approved Centres
- Instructions for conducting examinations
- Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments | A guide to the special consideration process
- Suspected Malpractice Policies and Procedures
- Post-Results Services | A guide to the awarding organisations’ appeals processes
- Key dates in the examination cycle | Information for candidates | Exam room posters
Assessment
This is an ‘open-book’ assessment where exams office staff are permitted to refer to relevant JCQ document(s) when taking each section. Questions are selected randomly from a bank of questions.
The accreditation can only be certificated when a Pass (full marks) has been achieved across all sections.
As the accreditation is updated on an academic year basis to reflect any regulation changes/updates to JCQ documents and guidance, exams office staff should complete the accreditation on an annual basis to confirm an up-to-date knowledge of current regulations.
Certification
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded your Certificate and Assessment Details, which lists the assessment sections and associated marks, for the current academic year.
Note: Completion and certification of the annually updated EODA must take place by the end of July each year as it is archived from then and relaunched early in the new academic year (subject to the publication of all relevant updated JCQ documents) after review and update.
The Exams Office takes no responsibility for any outcomes in centres as a result of the information provided on our website, The Exams Office Hub or within our documentation. It is the responsibility of centres to apply this information as they deem necessary within their own centre. You should always contact/refer to the relevant awarding body for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their qualifications.
