Dealing with the unexpected
You are an invigilator preparing to start an exam. As candidates enter the room when instructed, you notice that some of them are carrying unauthorised materials. What should you do before allowing the exam to begin?
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the exam starts
Line candidates up outside the exam room before entry
Check each candidate’s ID
Check pockets and ensure no unauthorised items are brought in
Ensure pencil cases and water bottles are transparent; no jackets allowed
Once seated, distribute the question papers and materials
Read the official “What to say to candidates” instructions
Start the exam at the time displayed on the board
Which of these must invigilator know about?
a. Notice to candidates and Candidate warning poster
b. How to contact Cambridge Customer Support
c. The subject being examined
d. the exam mark scheme
A. Notice to candidates and Candidate warning posters.
Who can commit malpractice?
Anyone connected to the exam – candidates, centre staff (e.g. invigilators, teachers) or others (e.g. candidates’ relatives or friends).
Which of these must invigilators check in candidates’ set texts?
1. There is no underlining.
2. There are no notes.
3. There is no highlighting.
4. All of the above.
4. All of the above.
What items must be in the exam room?
1. Key Times and Full Centre Supervision section and abridged version of sections 4 and 5 of the Cambridge Handbook.
2. Candidate warning poster and Notice to candidates poster.
3. Exam Day Checklist and 'What to Say to Candidates in an Exam’.
4. All of the above.
4. All of the above.
You are invigilating an exam when a fire alarm sounds and the building must be evacuated. After one hour, the situation is declared safe. What should you do to manage the candidates and the exam in line with Cambridge regulations?
Stop the exam immediately and instruct candidates to leave everything behind
Evacuate candidates under supervision, ensuring no communication occurs
Maintain exam conditions as much as possible during the disruption
Do not allow candidates access to phones or outside contact
Resume the exam only if it is safe and permitted, adjusting time accordingly and reporting the incident to the Exams Officer/Head of Centre
When must all candidates in the exam room be visible to at least 1 invigilator?
a. At the start of the exam
b. At the end of the exam
c. At all times during the exam
d. Only during Full Centre Suoervision
c. At all times during the exam
What are the potential consequences of not accurately reporting malpractice?
A. Our centre may be banned from making entries for certain exams.
B. We may receive a fine if full details are reported later.
C. We may not be able to use external invigilators in future.
D. Only the candidate(s) involved will be penalised.
A. Our centre may be banned from making entries for certain exams.
What should invigilators do if a candidate brings photocopied pages instead of the original published book into the exam?
1. Allow it if the photocopy is clear.
2. Allow it if the photocopy has no notes, highlighting or underlining.
3. Refuse the photocopy and report the issue to the Exam's Officer.
4. Let them share another candidate’s book.
3. Refuse the photocopy and report the issue to the Exam's Officer.
What is the most important thing to consider in an emergency?
The safety of candidates and staff.
You are invigilating an exam. You observe some candidates are trying to signal each other.
Continue close and discreet observation to confirm the behaviour
Move closer or reposition candidates to stop the signalling
Confiscate any unauthorised materials if involved
Do not accuse or confront the candidates during the exam
Report the incident immediately after the exam to the Exams Officer/Head of Centre with a written statement
What should you do if you see something suspicious during an exam?:
Report to the Exams Officer and immediately inform the Head of Centre. The Head of Centre must report any suspected malpractice to Cambridge on the same day or no later than 12:00, local time, the following working day. Use the relevant malpractice forms. (Section 5)
Which of the following is an example of centre staff malpractice?
A. Walking around the room during the exam.
B. Answering a candidate’s question about instructions
C. Leaving the exam room unattended for a few minutes.
D. Making sure all unauthorised materials are removed before the exam.
C. Leaving the exam room unattended for a few minutes.
True or false – An invigilator must stop the audio file if there is loud noise outside the exam room.
False – Outside noise is not an emergency, so you should not stop the audio file.
What must you check before sealing the script packet?
You must check you have all answer scripts in candidate number order and that centre and candidate numbers are filled in correctly.
You are invigilating an exam. After one hour, a candidate begins to show disruptive behaviour. What should you do to manage the situation while maintaining exam conditions?
Approach the candidate calmly and address the behaviour discreetly
Warn the candidate and remind them of exam regulations
Minimise disruption to other candidates at all times
If necessary, remove the candidate from the exam room under supervision
Record the incident and report it to the Exams Officer/Head of Centre after the exam
You have a Cambridge IGCSE Additional Maths invigilation that is two hours long and is scheduled at 13.00. The Key Time is 12.00. Which of the statements apply.
A. At the Key Time, candidates are taking their exam. They can leave the room at the end of the exam. They do not need further supervision.
B. The Key Time falls before the start of the exam. Keep the candidates under Full Centre Supervision from the Key Time until the start of the exam. They can leave the room at the end of the exam. They do not need any further supervision.
C. The exam finishes before the Key Time. Supervise candidates as they leave the exam room and keep them under Full Centre Supervision until the Key Time passes.
B. The Key Time falls before the start of the exam. Keep the candidates under Full Centre Supervision from the Key Time until the start of the exam. They can leave the room at the end of the exam. They do not need any further supervision.
Which of these should an invigilator not do during an exam?
1. Supervise candidates.
2. Walk around the exam room.
3. Read through the question paper.
4. Let a candidate go to the washroom.
Let a candidate go to the washroom.
Who can deal with technical problems in a listening exam?
1. An invigilator.
2. The exams officer.
3. A staff member who speaks the language of the listening exam.
4. The Head of Centre.
A staff member who speaks the language of the listening exam (usually the HOD).
What should you do with answer scripts after sealing the script packet?
1. Hand them to the exams officer straight away.
2. Leave them in the exam room until a member of staff collects them.
3. Keep them with you until after the last exam of the day.
4. Store them in a locked drawer in the exam room.
Hand them to the exams officer straight away.
You are invigilating an exam when a candidate suddenly faints. What should you do to manage the situation while maintaining exam conditions?
Call for medical help immediately
Have the candidate escorted out of the exam room (to a medical room/clinic)
Ensure they are supervised at all times
Maintain exam conditions for the rest of the candidates
Do not allow communication or disruption among candidates
Two exams are scheduled on the same day: one runs from 12:00 to 14:00 and another from 14:30 to 15:30, with a Key Time at 14:00. Some candidates taking the first exam will also sit the second exam, while others are only taking one of the two papers. What is the correct procedure for managing all candidates to ensure exam security and compliance with Key Time regulations?
All candidates, except those who are not taking the next exam, must remain under Full Centre Supervision between 14:00 and 14:30. Candidates who are not taking the second exam leave once the Key Time has passed.
Which of the following is an example of candidate malpractice?
A. Asking for an additional answer booklet during the exam.
B. Arriving late with a valid reason and sitting the exam under supervision.
C. Ignoring the invigilator’s instructions during the exam.
D. Checking the exam start time with the invigilator.
C. Ignoring the invigilator’s instructions during the exam.
What must invigilators supervise during breaks in Art and Design exams?
1. The candidates.
2. The candidates’ work.
3. Both the candidates and their work.
4. No supervision is required.
2. The candidates’ work.
What must you do at the end of the exam if the Key Time has not passed?
1. Allow candidates to leave the room but not discuss the exam until after the Key Time.
2. Keep candidates under Full Centre Supervision until the Key Time has passed.
3. Ask candidates to return after the Key Time.
4. Keep candidates in the room until any late candidates have finished the exam.
2. Keep candidates under Full Centre Supervision until the Key Time has passed.