Exam Invigilator Job Description
Recruit reliable, punctual invigilators to supervise formal assessments and protect the integrity of examinations. This role suits organised people who can follow procedures and maintain a calm, professional presence in an exam room.
What does a Exam Invigilator professional do?
Part-time/temporary staff who set up exam rooms, check candidate ID, monitor behaviour, and collect papers in line with exam regulations.
Exam Invigilator job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Exam Invigilator
About the role
We are looking for trusted Exam Invigilators to supervise public and internal assessments at [School / Exam Centre], [Location]. You will prepare rooms, check candidate identity, distribute and collect papers securely, monitor compliance with instructions, and report any irregularities. Assignments are typically part-time and scheduled around exam timetables: [hours / sessions], from [start date] to [end date]. Pay: [£X per hour or per session].
Key responsibilities
- Set up exam rooms to specified layout and seating plans, ensuring materials and signage are in place
- Check candidate identity and admission cards against the attendance register
- Distribute, collect and account for exam papers and stationery securely
- Brief candidates on exam rules and permitted materials before the start
- Monitor candidates throughout exams to prevent malpractice and ensure compliance with instructions
- Record and report incidents, irregularities or special considerations to the exams officer
- Assist candidates with authorised adjustments (e.g. extra time, modified materials) under direction
- Complete basic post-exam administration such as collating scripts and signing attendance records
Essential skills and experience
- Right to work in the UK
- Satisfactory enhanced DBS check for roles involving children, or willingness to obtain one
- Good attention to detail and reliable timekeeping
- Clear spoken English and basic written skills to complete incident records
- Ability to follow written procedures and to remain calm under pressure
- Availability for scheduled exam sessions, including early starts or occasional evenings where required
Desirable
- Previous invigilation, examination, or school support experience
- Familiarity with standard exam board / JCQ procedures
- Basic administrative experience (registers, simple record-keeping)
- Experience working with candidates who require adjustments
What we offer
- Hourly pay or per-session rate: [insert rate]
- Flexible, term-time or seasonal shifts to suit availability
- Induction and on-the-job training in exam procedures
- Reimbursement or payment for DBS check where applicable
- Opportunity to work locally and gain education sector experience
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Exam Invigilator role?
An Exam Invigilator oversees the conduct of formal assessments to ensure they run fairly and securely. Duties include preparing rooms, verifying candidate identity, distributing and collecting exam materials, monitoring behaviour during exams, and reporting incidents. Invigilators follow strict procedures set by the institution and external exam boards and work on a sessional, part-time or temporary basis aligned to exam timetables.
Sessional work
Shifts are scheduled around exam timetables and may include early starts, afternoons or occasional evenings.
Security & compliance
Main focus is maintaining exam integrity by following procedures and accurately recording any irregularities.
Suitable for many backgrounds
Suitable for people with administrative experience, school staff, retirees and students seeking part-time work.
Typical Exam Invigilator responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Set up exam rooms
Set up exam rooms to specified layout and seating plans, ensuring materials and signage are in place
Check candidate identity
Check candidate identity and admission cards against the attendance register
Distribute
Distribute, collect and account for exam papers and stationery securely
Brief candidates on exam rules
Brief candidates on exam rules and permitted materials before the start
Monitor candidates throughout exams
Monitor candidates throughout exams to prevent malpractice and ensure compliance with instructions
Record
Record and report incidents, irregularities or special considerations to the exams officer
Assist candidates with authorised adjustments
Assist candidates with authorised adjustments (e.g. extra time, modified materials) under direction
Complete basic post-exam administration such
Complete basic post-exam administration such as collating scripts and signing attendance records
Exam Invigilator skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Right to work in the UK
- Satisfactory enhanced DBS check for roles involving children, or willingness to obtain one
- Good attention to detail and reliable timekeeping
- Clear spoken English and basic written skills to complete incident records
- Ability to follow written procedures and to remain calm under pressure
- Availability for scheduled exam sessions, including early starts or occasional evenings where required
Useful where relevant
- Previous invigilation, examination, or school support experience
- Familiarity with standard exam board / JCQ procedures
- Basic administrative experience (registers, simple record-keeping)
- Experience working with candidates who require adjustments
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Exam Invigilator job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be explicit about sessions
List exact dates, start/end times and whether you pay per hour or per session — applicants need this to check availability.
State DBS requirements and support
Confirm if a satisfactory DBS check is required, whether you can process it, or if reimbursement is available.
Describe training and induction
Clarify whether you provide an induction to exam procedures and how long it takes; this reassures applicants with little experience.
Set clear location and travel expectations
Include the venue address or travel radius and whether parking or travel expenses are provided.
Exam Invigilator salary considerations
Pay for invigilators varies by region, employer type and how you structure payments (hourly vs per-session). Rather than a single market figure, consider the factors below when setting a competitive rate for your vacancy.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Exam Invigilator candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Do I need a DBS check?
Most roles in schools require an enhanced DBS disclosure. State whether you will carry out and pay for the check or expect applicants to provide one.
How long is a typical shift?
Explain the expected duration (for example, start 08:30, finish 12:30) and whether there are paid or unpaid breaks between sessions.
Will I get training?
Candidates want to know if induction on exam rules and reporting procedures is provided and whether it is paid.
Where will I be working?
Provide the venue location, any travel expectations, and whether parking or travel expenses are available.
What will I be expected to record?
Clarify the types of incident records or attendance paperwork they need to complete during and after exams.
How and when am I paid?
State whether you pay hourly or per session, payroll frequency, and whether training or DBS costs are reimbursed.
Where to post a Exam Invigilator job
For invigilator roles target local and education-focused channels. Use regional job boards, school staff networks, university student vacancy services and community noticeboards. Also consider short-term staffing agencies and social media groups for local parents and retirees — highlight session dates and DBS support to improve response.
Exam Invigilator job description FAQs
Is prior experience required to be an invigilator?
Not always. Many employers provide induction training for new invigilators. Experience in schools or in administrative roles is helpful, but attention to detail and reliability are more important.
Which checks or documents should I request from applicants?
Request proof of the right to work in the UK and either a satisfactory enhanced DBS check or a willingness to complete one. You may also ask for references or evidence of previous relevant experience.
How do employers decide whether to pay hourly or per session?
This depends on local practice and the typical length of sittings. Short sessions are often paid per-session to include set-up time; longer sittings may be hourly. Be clear in the advert to manage expectations.
Can invigilators administer access arrangements such as extra time?
Invigilators may support authorised access arrangements under supervision and clear instruction from the exams officer. They should not make decisions about eligibility for adjustments themselves.
Ready to recruit your exam invigilators?
Use the template above to create a clear advert listing dates, session times, DBS requirements and pay. When you're ready, advertise locally through school networks, regional job boards and community channels to attract suitable candidates.
