01 Feb 2024
After almost two years in the development, the Exams Officer Professional Standards are finally set to be launched.
Where can I find the standards?
With the launch of the Senior Leader & Line Manager Exam Support website announced for mid-February, we can now confirm that the Exams Officer Professional Standards will be accessible from, and form a significant part of, this website.
The significance of placing the standards within the Senior Leader & Line Manager Exam Support website should not be underestimated.
By placing the standards here, not only is awareness of the standards increased amongst senior leaders (and heads of centre), but the profile will also be raised as it is senior leaders/line managers who must register their exams officer for the standards, monitor their progress and then claim the certificate on behalf of their exams officer.
Using the standards
The Exams Officer Professional Standards are a major development in the professional development of the exams officer community.
The standards will enable exams officers to:
- evidence that they possess the necessary knowledge and understanding of examination regulations, processes and procedures
- acquire or develop a range of key skills required to undertake the role
- confirm that they will work to maintain the integrity and security of the examination system within their centre.
By achieving the standards on an annual basis, exams officers will not only be providing evidence of their competence within the role, but will also have evidence which can be utilised during any appraisal and performance management process within their centre. The standards may also be used to influence discussions during salary review negotiations.
However, the NAEO is committed to ensuring that there are long term benefits from the introduction of the Exams Officer Professional Standards.
In addition to raising the profile of the exams officer within a centre, if the standards are achieved each academic year, this will provide evidence of professional development which will support career progression and raise salary expectations.
Moving forward, the job description template as approved by the NAEO will also make reference to the acquisition of (or the requirement to work towards) the standards as a desired element of any application.
Engaging with the standards
There are three elements to the Exams Officer Professional Standards which must be completed to achieve certification:
- Knowledge and understanding – a discussion between the senior leader/line manager and the exams officer will decide the areas where an exams officer must acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding. This may include JCQ regulations, the use of a Management Information System or awarding body processes/procedures
- Key skills – the exams officer will identify which skills they wish to acquire/develop further to enable them to perform their role more effectively and efficiently
- Values and attributes – confirmation via a signed statement that the exams officer will uphold the highest standards of integrity and security in relation to examinations within their centre and ensure that all instances of actual or suspected malpractice are reported in line with JCQ regulations
How do I register for the standards?
Only a senior leader/line manager can register their exams officer for the standards. An exams officer must be registered for the standards in order to receive a certificate upon completion.
Registration takes place on the Senior Leader & Line Manager Exam Support website.
How do I achieve the standards?
The senior leader/line manager and exams officer will need to decide the process for setting the targets relating to knowledge and understanding, and skills.
The NAEO recommends that an exams officer meets with their line manager as early as possible during each academic year (or upon appointment if this is during the academic year) and agrees the following:
- Targets/areas on which they focus in relation to knowledge and understanding, and skills
- The support the exams officer will receive to reach these targets (e.g. attending training sessions, completion of online assessment(s), peer support, etc.)
- Timelines/checkpoints/meetings during the academic year to assess progress against targets
- To download, sign (both the exams officer and their senior leader/line manager), date and retain the Values and attributes statement
How do I claim my Exams Officer Professional Standards certificate?
At the end of the academic year or when targets have been achieved/completed (whichever is earlier), a meeting should be held to assess/view/confirm evidence of completion of the set targets.
Once completion of the targets is confirmed/verified, the senior leader/line manager can acquire a certificate for their exams officer by ticking the relevant boxes on the dedicated page on the Senior Leader & Line Manager Exam Support website to confirm the achievement of all three elements of the standards.
What will be included on the certificate?
The certificate will confirm:
- an adequate knowledge and understanding of exam regulations, processes and procedures
- progress made to acquire, develop or update key skills
- the upholding of the values and attributes which maintain the integrity and security of the examination process within the centre
The certificate, and the evidence provided to acquire the certificate, should ideally be retained within the centre’s Exams Manual which was sent by The Exams Office to its member centres at the beginning of this academic year (additional manuals can be purchased from The Exams Office).