Examiner - DGSA

An Examiner undertakes pre and post examination procedures under the guidance of the Principal Assessor and in accordance with SQA policy and instructions.

The prime role is to work with the Principal Assessor and other SQA appointees to ensure consistent application of standards and subject specific integrity of decision-making in relation to external assessment arrangements.

These activities will be under the direction of the Principal Assessor and staff from SQA's Contract Operations business directorate.

Outline of duties

• Review content of question papers and modify as necessary at the request of SQA to a maximum of 4 examination papers per diet.
• Ensure that each question, item and/or case study can be answered/solved.
• Ensure the external assessment can be completed within the allocated time.
• Carefully check the text of the external assessment and the relevant solutions to ensure that language is accessible and no omissions or printing/spelling errors have occurred.
• Carefully check the allocated marks of the external assessment and the relevant solutions to ensure no omissions or errors and that the marks total is correct.
• Return modified question paper with appropriate solutions completed within agreed timescales.
• Assist in the preparation of materials for post examination procedures.
• Participate in the marking programme and post examination procedures in accordance with SQA policy and instructions.
• Undertake marking of scripts in accordance with specified procedures and timescales.
• Complete marking duties in line with General Marking Instructions.
• Complete marking sample checks, as instructed, and remark scripts where required.
• Submit a marker report on completion of marking allocation, providing feedback on examination performance.
• Be available to monitor, manage and provide support to Markers as they complete marking duties throughout the marking period, providing support to markers and ensuring effective communication.
• Attend Borderline meeting.
• Ensure activities are concluded within agreed time frames and assist in ensuring resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• Support the Principal Assessor in ensuring all duties and tasks contribute to the consistent application of standards and subject specific integrity.
• Support activities assigned by the Principal Assessor and ensure they are concluded within agreed time frames and that resources are used effectively and efficiently to achieve best value.
• If required, deputise for the Principal Assessor.
• Additionally, Examiners may be asked to undertake the following activities. These activities will attract additional payment.
  • Writing questions, items and/or case studies along with relevant answers/solutions and mark allocation.
  • participate in workshops/seminars/networking events
• Support SQA with continuous improvement developments.
• Demonstrate behaviours outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Appointment which support SQA's values.

Selection criteria

Successful candidates must:

• be able to demonstrate excellence in assessing candidates
• have expertise and experience of one or more DGSA subject
• be able to demonstrate creative ability to generate assessment items.
• be able to engage professionally and co-operatively with all members of the team, providing leadership and support as required
• be able to demonstrate good forward planning and time management skills and adhere to deadlines.
• be able to communicate professionally, confidently and effectively; work professionally and co-operatively, with stakeholders, other appointees and SQA staff
• have a home computer or laptop with broadband internet connection and a private e-mail address.

Key Performance Measures for Examiners

On completion of the duties outlined in the Examiner contract specification, the Examiner will be measured against the Key Performance Measures and informed of the outcome in relation to their performance. Key Performance Measures will fall into four areas: Question and Course assessment production, Quality assurance procedures, Appeals and Generic measures.

Question/Item and Course assessment production

• Ensure the production of items/questions and externally set/assessed DGSA assessments by specified dates.
• Ensure the production and checking of questions and externally set/assessed DGSA assessments by specified dates.
• Produce question papers that are fit for purpose and are in accordance with SQA policy and instructions and includes marking instructions.

Quality assurance procedures

• Complete all post-examination procedures by specified dates.
• Quality assure all materials for post-examination procedures in accordance with SQA policy and instructions.
• Complete all reports providing feedback on examination performance for SQA within specified dates.
• Fulfil the KPMs of the Marker role.

Results Service

• Process results service documentation in accordance with policy and instructions by specified dates.

Generic measures

• Demonstrate behaviours outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Appointment which support SQA's values.
• Report on team members' Key Performance Measures for all tasks by specified dates.