Application Guide

Examiners and Moderators

Recruiting
Every year Edexcel recruit and trains over 13,000 Assessment Associates (including examiners, moderators, markers) to examine and assess our qualications. We are looking for new applicants to examine our academic qualications in 2010. This booklet explains the benets of being an Edexcel Assessment Associate, what we ask of you and how the process works. To make a difference with Edexcel in 2010 visit: www.edexcel.com/aa-recruitment

Here is what our Assessments Associates said in response to our latest survey:
a very rewarding experience in all aspects allows me to see varied standards of work across a range of schools and abilities as a retired teacher keeps me in touch with current thinking and young people's writing Edexcel is a great company to work for furthers my teaching ability within my subject I want to contribute to the future of young people work that ts around looking after my family.

Application Guide

Why become an examiner for Edexcel?

There are many benets to becoming an Assessment Associate including the opportunity for you to enhance your professional development, make a valuable contribution to assessment and boost your income.

What support will you offer me whilst undertaking the role?

We support our Assessment Associates in a number of different ways, including: comprehensive training on how to apply the mark scheme regular feedback and monitoring (from your appointed team leader) direct contact with Edexcel subject specic staff EdexcelPlus, our quarterly newsletter written specically for our Assessment Associates, giving you news and policy updates on education, as well as a host of exclusive discount deals.

By examining for Edexcel you will:

gain a closer insight into the examination process and the standards required. Examiners see the full range of abilities and many different approaches. This knowledge is readily transferable to the classroom improve your knowledge of your subject and qualication areas as well as wider educational issues. We provide regular updating available only to our examiners which can be particularly useful if you are planning a career break meet other colleagues and share experiences and good practice be paid for the work and training you undertake.

Do I have the qualications to become an examiner with Edexcel?

To become an examiner you need to have a degree or equivalent, be a qualied teacher, or currently undertaking a teaching qualication. You should also have subject knowledge of the qualication for which you are applying. It is ideal, but not essential, that you have experience of the Edexcel specication.

Application Guide

GCSE, GCE, IGCSE, O Level & The Diploma

What vacancies are currently available?

We are recruiting Examiners and Moderators for GCSEs and GCEs and are particularly keen to hear from anyone interested in examining for: Art & Design Business Studies Citizenship Economics English General Studies Government & Politics History Languages Religious Studies

Examiner
Examines the work of candidates in accordance with the agreed mark scheme and procedures.

Visiting Examiner
Visits centres to mark forms of examination work, or to conduct and mark oral examinations, or to be present at practical examinations where the activity of candidates has to be observed as part of the marking procedure.

Moderator
Moderates centres assessment of candidates work in accordance with the agreed criteria and procedures.

Peter Neal, Chief Examiner for Product Design & Applied Engineering, gives his view of the work of an examiner/ moderator:
I must admit that I originally undertook the task as I saw it as a means of making a little extra money but once I became involved, I soon became convinced of the importance of the work. As a moderator, you not only see the standard of work undertaken by students, but you also see the type of coursework projects that are being undertaken across the country. This certainly helped me, because it put my own students work into a national perspective. I would recommend and encourage any teacher to become involved in examining or moderating. It can be a great source of inspiration, it can be an excellent INSET and it can be a career path for those who feel that they have something to offer.

Visiting Moderator
Visits centres to carry out the moderation of certain forms of work which is marked initially by Teacher Examiners/Assessors in the centres.

Diploma
We are also recruiting for Examiners and Moderators for the Diploma in the following subjects: Creative and Media Society, Health and Development Engineering Construction and the Built Environment Information Technology Business, Administration & Finance Hospitality Environmental & Land Based Studies Manufacturing & Product Design

HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.edexcel.com/aa-recruitment and complete the online application form.

Application Guide

What is the process following submission of an application?

1. Complete the online application form

You should apply as soon as possible since some subjects have a waiting list. You need to have a degree or equivalent, be a qualied teacher, or currently undertaking a teaching qualication. Once you have submitted your application it will be reviewed and your referees contacted. You will be notied whether you have been successful or not. Successful applicants receive an appointment letter when all references have been received.

2. Training (Standardisation)
Before you start examining you will take part in a mandatory standardisation activity. Some standardisation is completed online, or you may be asked to attend a standardisation meeting, either during the week or at the weekend. Where meetings take place during the week your school is entitled to claim a teacher release fee to cover the time you are away from school. You are paid for attending standardisation and for any expenses incurred. Your initial training takes between 5 to 7 hours. Once you have successfully completed this activity you can start examining.

3. Examining
You will be given a date on your contract when your examining should be completed. This is usually three weeks from the start of marking. We expect an average allocation to take around 40-45 hours to complete. You will also be eligible for a bonus if you complete your marking by the contract completion date.

4. Payment
Payment takes place 30 days following completion of examining. You can expect to earn between 750 - 1000 per series, depending on the subject and amount of work allocated to you.

Application Guide

Your questions answered

Q. Im a newly qualied teacher, can I apply to be an examiner? A. Yes. To become an examiner you need to have a degree or equivalent, be a qualied teacher, or currently undertaking a teaching qualication. You should also have subject knowledge of the qualication for which you are applying. It is ideal, but not essential, that you have experience of the Edexcel specication. Q. How much would I earn? A. You can expect to earn between 7501000, depending on the subject and amount of work you have been allocated in your contract. Q. When should I apply? A. As soon as possible, some subjects have a waiting list. A xed number of examiners is needed for each subject area, so the earlier you apply the more likely you are to be contracted. Q. How much of my time would I need to commit to examining? A. Your initial training takes between 5-7 hours. We expect an average allocation to take approximately 40-45 hours to complete. Q. What would I be required to do as part of my role? A. Within your role, we would expect you to: Attend training. Mark scripts/items allocated to you and record marks in accordance with instructions provided by Edexcel. Submit samples of marked scripts to the Principal Examiner and/or Assistant Principal Examiner/Team Leader as required. Write short reports on aspects of the examination as required and submit reports to the Senior Team. If you need any further information you can visit the recruitment section of the website: www.edexcel.com/aa-recruitment, or email us at: aaresourcing.relations@edexcel.com

Application Guide

Keith Bridgeman, a Principal Examiner, gives his view of the role:

I have been marking A level Physics since about 1992. I have marked the practical papers almost continuously since that time and I am currently the Principal Examiner for the A2 paper. This means that I set the questions and I am responsible for the accurate marking of about 6000 scripts. I started on the practical paper because I thought it offered the most interesting challenges, and I havent been disappointed. At school I have used Edexcel since it was London Exams and I have always liked the style of assessment. I have been a team leader for about 10 years and was a Principal examiner on the Salters Horners for a couple of years when that started. Examining has made me a better teacher and given me an appreciation of rigorous assessment. I also enjoy meeting other Physics teachers and nding that there is something interestingly unique about the breed. I must also say that the fees pay for my sailing boat.

Application Guide

www.edexcel.com/aa-recruitment