How remote Invigilation works
Before the exam series begins, the school or centre will issue the student login details to access the Remote Invigilation Service Assessment Player. They can login to see all the exams that have been setup for them, including to check start times, and where applicable, approved access arrangements such as extra time.
During high-stakes exams, students log in at the start time to begin setup and connect with their invigilator, who introduces themselves via the chat box.
Once setup is completed, they click through to the access the Assessment Player which displays the examination instructions. The invigilator will confirm when the student may begin their exam.
Pressing start to begin the exam will reveal the questions on the screen and start the timer. The timer will turn red when students have 5 minutes remaining. Students may notify the invigilator if they finish before the time runs out.
Students then have additional time after the exam to work through the submission of their answers with the support of the invigilator, and if needed, they can call their responsible adult back into the room to assist them.
What’s the difference between onscreen and paper-based exams?
Please note that where a subject is available onscreen, this will be the default assessment mode.
During onscreen exams, the exam questions appear onscreen and students type their answers into text boxes provided onscreen. Resource materials are provided onscreen and are not available to print.
For paper-based exams, students are required to download a PDF answer booklet and print this out. Answers are handwritten on this answer booklet. The questions appear onscreen once they click start to begin the exam. Resource materials can also be downloaded and printed or opened onscreen for reference i.e. formulae booklets.
This hybrid approach (questions onscreen and responses in the printed answer booklet) maintains the security of the paper and ensures students cannot see the questions before they press start.
Please note that exam questions cannot be printed out for security reasons. These appear onscreen for both modes of assessment.
My normal way of working is typing. Is it possible to type a paper-based exam via the service?
Yes, if using a word processor is your normal way of working, you can type your answers but must ensure that all spelling and grammar checks are disabled.
Students are still required to print the answer booklet when using a word processor, as some subjects (such as Maths and Science) include questions that need to be annotated by hand. For example, if they need to plot a graph, they will need to answer this question using the printed answer booklet.
Once the student has completed the exam, they must print their typed responses, and scan these with the answer booklet pages or merge their scanned answer booklet and typed responses into a single PDF before uploading. Please ensure you adhere to our Submission Guidance.
Subject matter experts and scrutineers have reviewed each remotely delivered paper to ensure students have everything they need to answer the questions fully when sitting a remote exam.
Role of the responsible adult
A Parent/Carer or Guardian is required to sign the Pearson Remote Invigilation Service Terms of Use as part of the service entry requirements for each student. This person is the designated Responsible Adult for that student during their exams.
More than one adult may fulfil this role across different exams, but all must have signed the Terms of Use to acknowledge and accept the responsibilities of this role.
Need help?
Your school or exam centre is always your first point of contact, as they can confirm entries, start times, access arrangements and how the Remote Invigilation Service applies to you. If you still need additional support, or would like clarification about how the service works, our Remote Invigilation Customer Support team is here to help.
