The New Exams Officer Induction and Assessment Module is annually updated on an academic year basis, and is included within your centre membership to The Exams Office
What the module offers
The module is designed to support a new exams officer’s induction to their centre and to the role
It can also be used to support other members of centre staff (such as an exams assistant or a person who, as a contingency measure, may be required to cover the role in the absence of their exams officer) in understanding and identifying key tasks within the exam cycle
What the module provides
The module provides:
- information to help a new exams officer self-manage their induction to the exams process in their centre
- signposts to information and support provided in the wider exams community
- signposts to JCQ regulations and key tasks that are undertaken by an exams officer in the management and administration of exams in their centre
The module is devised to:
- support new exams officers on starting the role
- inform new exams officers of the key aspects of each stage of the exam cycle
- support new exams officers in ensuring that key exams-related tasks are completed in their centre
- recognise the understanding/knowledge of new exams officers
What the module contains
Users are taken through seven assessment sections
- Starting the role of exams officer (Centre induction; Training needs; Office and exam facilities in your centre; Exams officers support & information network)
- The exam cycle (Introduction to the exam cycle; key dates; access arrangements & AAO; CAP; qualification types & levels; assessment; conducting external exams)
Understanding the process and identifying key tasks and activities within the following stages of the exam cycle:
- planning
- entries
- pre-exams (exam preparation)
- exam time
- results and post-results
When and how the module should be completed
Sections 1 and 2 should be completed immediately on your appointment to the role
Sections 3-7 should be completed1 during the academic year before each stage of the exam cycle is undertaken in your centre. Users should read the information, download the ‘self-assessment’ and complete the assessment
Below is an indicative timeline (based on the November and summer series exam cycle) of when each unit could be be completed:
- Planning – September, November
- Entries – September, November
- Pre-exams (exam preparation) – October, January
- Exam time – October, March
- Results and post-results – November, April
Note, this module is designed for new to role exams officers who start in September (although it can be taken by new exams officers who start at a later point). Â However, completion of the current module must take place by the end of July. The module is deactivated during August to allow review and update in accordance with updated JCQ regulations. The updated module will be available in early September each new academic year.
1If you start the role later in the academic year, and are unable to complete the current module before the end of July, you are advised to wait until the updated module is available from the start of the new academic year, otherwise your progress will be lost. In the interim, please refer to the NEW EXAMS OFFICER: Â INDUCTION SUPPORT GUIDE
How long should it take to complete the module?
Each section will require the following to ensure completion:
- Read the information – approximately 20-30 minutes (this will be longer if additional information is acquired via the hyperlinks)
- Confirm the statements in the self-assessment – this will require the prior completion of a series of tasks
- Complete the assessment – if all required questions are answered correctly at the first attempt this will take no more than 10 minutes
The Exams Office takes no responsibility for any outcomes in centres as a result of the information provided on our website, Online Portal 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.
