The NAEO has today, 5 October, launched the 2026 Exams Manager/Officer Survey.
We are asking all Exams Managers/Officers to set aside 15–20 minutes before the survey closes on 6 November to share their experiences, views and concerns.
It is essential that the NAEO hears directly from the Exams Manager/Officer community. Your feedback enables us to identify the key issues and challenges facing Exams Managers/Officers and raise these with key stakeholders, including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofqual, JCQ and awarding organisations.
The findings from the survey are shared with these stakeholders and can help inform the development of policies and regulations relating to the management, administration and conduct of examinations. Your feedback also helps shape the future strategy and priorities of both the National Association of Examinations Officers (NAEO) and The Exams Office, ensuring that the support provided to Exams Manager/Officers reflects their needs.
Your feedback can make a difference
Previous NAEO surveys have contributed to changes and greater clarity in a number of important areas, including:
- the definition of senior leaders' roles and responsibilities in the management and oversight of examinations, including the need to familiarise themselves with relevant awarding organisation and JCQ documentation;
- greater clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of SENCOs and assessors in relation to access arrangements;
- the expectation that teachers understand the relevant examination regulations and their responsibilities;
- the need for SENCOs to have sufficient time and appropriate training to undertake their responsibilities effectively;
- the requirement for centres to include succession arrangements within their contingency planning;
- the need to provide Exams Managers/Officers with sufficient time to perform their role effectively;
- the importance of continuing professional development (CPD), including attendance at an annual update course;
- the expectation that Exams Managers/Officers receive appropriate support and supervision from senior leaders, including support when making effective centre-based decisions.
Feedback from previous surveys has had a direct impact on JCQ regulations. This demonstrates the importance of the survey as a mechanism for ensuring that the experiences and concerns of Exams Manager/Officers are heard by those responsible for developing and implementing examination policy and regulations.
Please make your voice heard
The strength of the NAEO's ability to represent the profession depends on the quality and breadth of the information we receive from Exams Managers/Officers.
If you want the challenges facing Exams Managers/Officers to be recognised and addressed, please take 15–20 minutes to complete the 2026 survey before it closes on 6 November.
We would like to thank all our stakeholders, and in particular The Exams Office, for their continued support in promoting the annual survey and helping to ensure that the views of Exams Manager/Officers are heard.
The findings from the 2026 survey will be published on the NAEO website during December.