IELTS Invigilator Training Presentation

[Virtual Presenter] Welcome to the MTS invigilator training. This should take you about an hour and a half to complete. The training is divided into several sections. At the end of each section is a short quiz to test what you have learnt. At the end there will be a final quiz to pass before you can complete the training..

[Audio] MTS, or Mobile Testing Solutions, is an exam services company based in London. We run a wide range of examinations in venues all around the UK and Ireland, including the IELTS test. We run computer-delivered tests as well as the more traditional paper-based tests. We also run online courses to help IELTS test takers prepare for their test..

[Audio] We use a software system called BrightHR to manage our timesheets and payclaims. You may be asked to use an app called Blip, by BrightHR, in order to clock in and clock out on your working days..

[Audio] IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the world's most popular English language proficiency tests. It is used by educational institutions, employers, governments, immigration authorities and professional bodies to make important decisions about people's lives: so it is often a high-stakes test. IELTS evaluates four English skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. It can be taken on paper, or on computer. It has two different versions: Academic or General Training. The Academic test is normally for people who want to study a degree course or register with a professional body, whereas the General Training test focuses on basic skills in a broader social and educational setting. In the UK, IELTS is overseen by the British Council..

[Audio] When you work for MTS, you must adhere to certain rules and procedures. On test days, you must dress professionally: smart-casual. You should not wear shoes, clothes or jewellery that make a noise and disturb test takers while they are trying to concentrate. When you arrive at the venue on test day, deposit your belongings, including your mobile phone, in the secure locker or room provided. Wear a lanyard or name badge at all times to identify yourself as staff. And under no circumstances should you take exam materials out of the test room and venue..

[Audio] In an era when any test taker can easily go online and leave us a review at the click of a button, good customer care is very important. You are representing the company on test day. You need to be professional, courteous and polite. Don't forget to make eye contact with people when you are talking to them, and smile. Bear in mind that IELTS is a high stakes test, so we need to put our test takers at ease. They may be very stressed about taking their test that day. Some test takers may have special requirements that mean they need extra help..

[Audio] Here you can see the areas in which staff will have to complete – detailed responsibilities on the new Chiefs SOP for you to refer to if need be. These should be different from week to week to allow invigilators to gain experience in different areas of the role. It is your responsibility to support the invigilators continuous professional development (CPD) supported by regular staff monitoring which will be touched on a little later. Next slide – back to staff briefing.

[Audio] Cloakroom Permitted items: Water bottle- Clear bottle, without a label; no open-top cups ID or Passport-Must be taken out of any protective case Glasses - Must be without a case; no cleaning cloth (use tissues if needed) Stationery- If the TT insists on taking their own stationery, they can only take a few pens/pencils, eraser, sharpener – not a whole pencil case (no highlighters) Thin outer layers -Cardigans and jumpers, no scarves, hats, winter jackets Head coverings - Only for religious or medical purposes Mobility aids - For example: canes, crutches, etc. Medication and medical equipment - For example, paracetamol, ibuprofen, inhaler, etc. – must be taken out of packaging to prevent noise disturbance Food- Snacks only if there is a medical need (for example: diabetes or pregnancy) – must be taken out of packaging to prevent noise disturbance Tissues -They can only take a couple of individual tissues, not the whole packet; inspect for notes Earplugs -If the TT insists on using their own earplugs, inspect them for Bluetooth devices.

[Audio] Here you can see the areas in which staff will have to complete – detailed responsibilities on the new Chiefs SOP for you to refer to if need be. These should be different from week to week to allow invigilators to gain experience in different areas of the role. It is your responsibility to support the invigilators continuous professional development (CPD) supported by regular staff monitoring which will be touched on a little later. Next slide – back to staff briefing.

[Audio] Here you can see the areas in which staff will have to complete – detailed responsibilities on the new Chiefs SOP for you to refer to if need be. These should be different from week to week to allow invigilators to gain experience in different areas of the role. It is your responsibility to support the invigilators continuous professional development (CPD) supported by regular staff monitoring which will be touched on a little later. Next slide – back to staff briefing.

[Audio] This is a flow chart of what a typical IELTS test day looks like. We will be going through each section in more detail..

[Audio] When a test taker arrives, welcome them with a smile. Ask to see their ID document and briefly check that it is them on the photo. You may also check them against a register. You will do a more thorough check later on. Direct them to the waiting area or cloakroom..

[Audio] IELTS is a high-stakes test, so ID checks are very important. On test day, test takers must bring the same ID document that they used when they registered for their IELTS test. Acceptable forms of ID are: an original passport, an EU national ID card, a UK residence card or permit, a Refugee Identity Card, an Asylum Seeker Certificate, Or an Application Registration Card. Driving licenses are not an acceptable form of ID. Note that only national ID cards from the EU will be accepted. Non-EU citizens must present a passport or UK residence card or permit. ID must be valid, In other words it must not have expired. We cannot accept photocopies or photographs of documents, even if they are certified copies from a solicitor, or letters from the Home Office. Test takers who arrive on test day without the ID document that they used when they registered will not be able to sit the test and will not be entitled to a refund or test transfer. If they want to sit the test again, they will need to re-book..

[Audio] Ensure that test takers place their belongings in the designated lockers or cloakroom. They need to take off hats or caps, but they can wear religious head coverings. Mobile phones, electronic devices, and all types of watches must be left in the locker or cloakroom. Mobile phones must be switched off. The only items allowed in the test room are: their ID, a clear bottle of water, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and medication if it has been pre-approved by headquarters or the chief invigilator on the day. Next you need to scan test takers with a metal detector. Scan them thoroughly, paying particular attention to the pockets..

[Audio] You must be alert at all times for imposters. An imposter is someone attempting to take the test on behalf of someone else. Hold up their ID and compare the photo with their face, side by side. If in doubt, ask further questions that may reassure you. Ask them things that they would normally be able to recall easily: for example their date of birth, their place of birth, or recent holiday (where passport has been stamped). If you are still not sure about their identity, carry on with taking their finger scan and photo. Once you have finished, call over the Chief Invigilator to report that you suspect you have an imposter. This is not just for Chiefs, all ielts staff must follow this procedures..

[Audio] This is more detail on how to check an ID photo against a person's face. First, compare the overall shape of the face. Most faces are one of three different shapes: round, oval or square. Second, look at individual features of the face and how they line up with each other. Are the eyes wide apart or close set? Where do the eyes line up with the ears? What is the distance between the eyes and the nose? Look at the shape of the mouth. How far is it from the nose? How does it line up with the nose? Look carefully at the ears. Ears are unique to each person. Pay attention to the shape of the ears and the way they attach to the head. How do the ears line up with the nose? Look for moles, scars or distinctive features. In the example photo in the slide, it is the same person. Even though the overall face looks superficially different, the individual features of the face all match up..

[Audio] This is more detail on how to check an ID photo against a person's face. First, compare the overall shape of the face. Most faces are one of three different shapes: round, oval or square. Second, look at individual features of the face and how they line up with each other. Are the eyes wide apart or close set? Where do the eyes line up with the ears? What is the distance between the eyes and the nose? Look at the shape of the mouth. How far is it from the nose? How does it line up with the nose? Look carefully at the ears. Ears are unique to each person. Pay attention to the shape of the ears and the way they attach to the head. How do the ears line up with the nose? Look for moles, scars or distinctive features. In the example photo in the slide, it is the same person. Even though the overall face looks superficially different, the individual features of the face all match up..

[Audio] This is more detail on how to check an ID photo against a person's face. First, compare the overall shape of the face. Most faces are one of three different shapes: round, oval or square. Second, look at individual features of the face and how they line up with each other. Are the eyes wide apart or close set? Where do the eyes line up with the ears? What is the distance between the eyes and the nose? Look at the shape of the mouth. How far is it from the nose? How does it line up with the nose? Look carefully at the ears. Ears are unique to each person. Pay attention to the shape of the ears and the way they attach to the head. How do the ears line up with the nose? Look for moles, scars or distinctive features. In the example photo in the slide, it is the same person. Even though the overall face looks superficially different, the individual features of the face all match up..

[Audio] This is more detail on how to check an ID photo against a person's face. First, compare the overall shape of the face. Most faces are one of three different shapes: round, oval or square. Second, look at individual features of the face and how they line up with each other. Are the eyes wide apart or close set? Where do the eyes line up with the ears? What is the distance between the eyes and the nose? Look at the shape of the mouth. How far is it from the nose? How does it line up with the nose? Look carefully at the ears. Ears are unique to each person. Pay attention to the shape of the ears and the way they attach to the head. How do the ears line up with the nose? Look for moles, scars or distinctive features. In the example photo in the slide, it is the same person. Even though the overall face looks superficially different, the individual features of the face all match up..

[Audio] This is more detail on how to check an ID photo against a person's face. First, compare the overall shape of the face. Most faces are one of three different shapes: round, oval or square. Second, look at individual features of the face and how they line up with each other. Are the eyes wide apart or close set? Where do the eyes line up with the ears? What is the distance between the eyes and the nose? Look at the shape of the mouth. How far is it from the nose? How does it line up with the nose? Look carefully at the ears. Ears are unique to each person. Pay attention to the shape of the ears and the way they attach to the head. How do the ears line up with the nose? Look for moles, scars or distinctive features. In the example photo in the slide, it is the same person. Even though the overall face looks superficially different, the individual features of the face all match up..

[Audio] We capture a test taker's finger scan and photo using the IAM software system, loaded on a laptop. On IAM, you will need to enter the test taker's ID number in order to bring up their profile. Then you ask them to place their right index finger on the scanner four times, in order to take the finger scan. Next you click 'Take photo' and take a valid photo of the test taker..