FAQs
We know you may have some questions about our Remote Invigilation Service, so we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you.
Students are registered for the service via their school or centre. We are currently piloting the service with a small number of Pearson Edexcel centres approved to use the remote invigilation service. Please use the expression of interest link or consult your Regional Development Manager if you would like to be considered for Remote Invigilation Service approval.
International GCSE Paper (based exams):
Mathematics A, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science (Double Award), Geography, French*, German*, Spanish*, Religious Studies, Global Citizenship.
International GCSE (Onscreen exams):
English Language A*, English Literature, Economics, History, Business, Pakistan Studies.
International A Level (Paper-based exams):
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Economics, History, Further Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics, Decision Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Psychology, Spanish*, German*, French*
International A Level (Onscreen exams):
English Language, English Literature
*Currently only the written components of these subjects are available via remote invigilation. Spoken examinations and coursework components are examined in the normal way via an approved Pearson Edexcel examination centre. Please ensure you use the correct entry code if candidates are planning to be examined on these other components.
Yes, please see our onscreen assessment roadmap and additional onscreen-specific FAQs.
We are still in the scoping phase of how this and other subjects would work with remote invigilation because there are unique challenges related to each subject. If your students are interested in taking this subject via RIS, please share this with us for future consideration.
Three separate devices are required to use the RI service.
Main device: A laptop or PC with working webcam, speakers, and microphone. This must be connected to power to ensure the device battery has sufficient life for the duration of your exam
Printer: A working printer with sufficient ink and paper to print a complete answer booklet (please be mindful that some answer booklets can be up to 40 pages long)
Second device: A second (fully charged) mobile device with the proctoring app installed. This will be used during set up and will need to be positioned to show the complete exam environment during the exam
Yes, system familiarisation opportunities are included in the service fee. The assessments used for system familiarisation are limited to Maths and English. These activities are not designed to be used as mock examinations, therefore students will be asked to focus on working through the setup and submission process during these activities, rather than providing accurate answers. Answers submitted as part of system familiarisation will not be made available to centres or individuals.
Engagement in system familiarisation exercises is crucial for student confidence, to test device settings, and to maintain exam integrity. Students who do not know how to use the system during high stakes exams, take support capacity away from other students who need it.
If a candidate is unable to attend system familiarisation, please inform us during the system familiarisation window so alternative methods of familiarisation can be considered.
Once exam entries have been made for a series and the final scheduled system familiarisation dates have passed, candidate engagement will be reviewed. If a candidate has not requested prior support, and has not engaged in the system familiarisation opportunities provided, they will be required to participate in a paid familiarisation activity prior to being issued login details to access the high stakes examinations via the Remote Invigilation Service.
We reserve the right to remove exam entries if familiarisation is not completed – please note a refund will not be provided.
For paper-based examinations, students are expected to write their answers by hand. If your candidate uses a word processer as their normal way of working, they can type their answers instead.
There is no requirement to process an Access Arrangements application for a word processor. No evidence is needed to support the arrangement for inspection purposes. (This also applies where a candidate is using a word processor on a temporary basis because of a temporary injury). If a student is using a word processor, spelling and grammar check/predictive text must be disabled.
The battery capacity of the computer (if using a laptop) must be checked before an exam, and parents must ensure that the battery is sufficiently charged for the entire duration of the exam. You must ensure that both the centre and candidate number appear on each page as a header or footer.
Each page of the typed script must be numbered, e.g. page 1 of 6. Invigilators will remind candidates to save their work at regular intervals. To make marking easier for examiners, candidates should please use a minimum font size of 12pt and double spacing.
A word processor must not:
- Give the candidate access to other applications such as a calculator (where prohibited in the examination), email, the internet, social media sites, spreadsheets
- Include graphic packages or computer aided design software unless permission has been given in writing
- Include computer reading (text to speech) software unless permission has been given in writing
Please refer to section 5.8 of the JCQ Instructions for the conduct of examinations.
No, it is not currently possible.
If a candidate requires a Reader or Scribe, please reach out to us at remoteinvigilationservice@pearson.com, copying in your Regional Manager, and we can have a one-on-one conversation with you to see if there is any way that we can support.
If a candidate has supervised rest breaks as an approved access arrangement, their invigilator will be made aware of this. The student will need to notify the invigilator via chat when they would like to take a break, and the timing of their exam will be paused and re-started when they are ready to continue.
Please note that Invigilators do not have direct access to pause exams, therefore it may take a few minutes for the timer to be paused by the support team on request. Please reassure students that they can go ahead and take their break as needed, and any lost time will be added back for them. They are welcome to check with the Invigilator whether lost time has been added back.
During the supervised rest break, the student will not have access to the questions. The purpose of a supervised rest break is for a break from the exam and should not be used as ‘thinking time.’ Candidates should therefore not write/type any responses during this time and must remain in full view of the Invigilator, for the duration of the rest break. Toilet breaks are not considered part of rest breaks.
Yes, if a candidate needs to leave the exam room for a toilet break, they must notify the invigilator.
The timer will not be paused for a toilet break. The candidate must call their nominated parent/guardian to accompany them, and ensure they do not access any study materials, communication devices or the internet while out of view of the Invigilator. Set-up checks, such as showing that there are no assistive devices in the candidates ears, will need to be repeated when they re-enter the exam environment. The invigilator will provide guidance if required.
Nominated parent/guardians are required to sign a formal parent declaration and our terms of use prior to students accessing the service. If there is any suspicion of malpractice during an exam or break, this will be recorded as an incident and the candidate’s exam result may be impacted.
Once a student has completed their exam, they will scan each page of the completed answer booklet and upload the file into the system. This can be done via a scanning app (such as Microsoft Lens) or via a physical scanner, whichever is preferable or available.
Please note the above applies to paper-based exams only - for onscreen exams students type directly into the assessment player and simply click Review and Finish to submit at the end of their examination.
Results are issued to centres in the normal way the day prior to results day. Results will also be available via ResultsPlus and ResultsPlus Direct. You will need to register your candidates for ResultsPlus Direct prior to making entries if you want your students to be able to access their results in this way.
Most issues relate to technology - if a student does not have sufficient Internet connection or doesn't have the right devices set up etc.
During systems familiarisation, there are some apps and extensions that students are required to install to access the assessment player. Students should please not delete these, as they will be required again for the high stakes examinations.
The other main issue is a student (and parent) not being sufficiently prepared for their first exam, not having completed the familiarisation process, and therefore lacking understanding of the system and procedures.
Students that have not taken advantage of the familiarisation opportunities tend to be anxious, which can negatively impact their ability to navigate the system, and complete their examination successfully.
If a student is concerned about adequately preparing for their examinations, we would highly recommend looking at all materials available and the handbook on top of the different familiarisation sessions that we will be offering.
Please refer to the following videos and documents:
Onscreen set-up guide - video
Paper-based set-up guide - video
If a candidate is unable to complete an exam due to unforeseen circumstances, the parent should notify their centre, and if appropriate, the centre can consider applying for special consideration in line with the JCQ regulations.