An invigilator is a person who observes people taking exams in order to spot signs of cheating and intervene. This term can also refer to people who guard museum exhibits, supervise archives, and work in other jobs that require them to keep an eye on people in order to maintain security and safety. In most cases, no special training is required to work as an invigilator, and pay varies depending on whether or not the person has additional responsibilities.
This term comes from the Latin for “to keep an eye on.” When exams are held, the invigilator secures the room for the students, removing any potentially cheating materials and providing a supply of pencils, scrap paper, calculators, and other authorized tools. If disabled students require special accommodations, the invigilator makes these arrangements ahead of time to minimize disruption.
When the students arrive for the test, the supervisor checks them in. In some cases, invigilators will seize bags, coats, and other personal items and hold them until the end of the examination, while in others, people will simply be told to stow these items out of reach. The invigilator distributes tests and keeps track of the students’ time, giving them warnings when the test is about to end. Students can raise their hands for more supplies or if they have any other needs during the test, and the invigilator patrols the room for any signs of cheating or dishonesty.
In some cases, an invigilator is someone who is trusted to keep an eye on students while they take tests, such as a student aide or assistant. Instructors and administrators can also supervise students during testing as invigilators. In other cases, a test administrator is the sole employee. Because the invigilator cannot exercise favoritism if the test-takers are unknown, having someone only supervise tests with no other responsibilities can be used as a tool to ensure fairness.
This type of work necessitates the ability to be active for long periods of time while also being attentive. The practice of test administrators sitting for the duration of a test is discouraged because it makes it difficult to detect dishonest behavior in the far corners of the room. Invigilators must also attend a brief training session to learn how to accommodate disabled students and enforce test standards and rules in order to ensure fairness and equal access to reasonable testing conditions. If cheating is discovered, the administrator must follow the school’s protocol, which may include a hearing in front of a committee or body set up to deal with academic dishonesty. Students can appeal decisions if they believe they were made in an unfair or unreasonable manner.