As an experienced Examiner or Moderator, you play a vital role in the assessment process. The role of Principal Examiner or Moderator is a rewarding and unique opportunity. There are a variety of benefits associated with this role outlined below.
Develop your management skills and lead a committed team
As a Principal Examiner and Moderator, you will be responsible for managing a team of Examiners and leading them through the assessment process. You will provide guidance to your team and develop your project management and time keeping skills along the way.
Strengthen your expertise in assessment design
Setting the questions and mark schemes for the question paper allows you to gain an unparalleled insight into the end-to-end process of creating, delivering and assessing question papers.
Receive comprehensive training and support
You will receive training in creating reliable and valid assessments alongside guidance and support to ensure that you fully understand the responsibilities, expectations and deadlines for your position. Our extensive support network is in place so you can contact the WJEC's Appointees team and Subject Officer at any time.
Enjoy flexible working opportunities
The role is very rewarding, varied and interesting and also gives you the opportunity to work flexibly alongside your current position if applicable.
Network with other teachers and experienced professionals
You will work closely with members of your examining and moderating team so you will have an opportunity to build your network of contacts with teachers and other experienced subject specialists.
Please view the Frequently Asked Questions for further information.
To become a Principal Examiner or Moderator, you will need to meet the criteria outlined below:
- to be a current or retired teacher or lecturer with at least two years' recent teaching experience in the subject you are applying for
- relevant assessment experience from a previous examining or moderating role
- suitable academic qualifications in the subject such as a degree and a teaching qualification
- to be a UK resident
- to provide details of referees who we may contact. Referees should be your current or most recent head teacher or head of department where possible
- to have experience managing a team
- to have the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- to be available to provide support via telephone and email to Examiners or Moderators in your team
- to be available for a maximum of 10 days a year which may be during term time, weekends or holiday time to attend QPECs (Question paper examiner conference), present at team leaders conferences and examiner conferences and attend standardising and awarding meetings
- to be available for a period of approximately 6 weeks when work is being undertaken by Examiners and/or Moderators through to the awarding meeting
- to have your own Windows PC or laptop with internet access outside of school premises
Some criteria may vary depending on the qualification. Please refer to the specific job description for specific requirements.
Please view the Frequently Asked Questions for further information.
There are several stages in the process to become a Principal Examiner or Principal Moderator:
1) Application procedure
Visit the Senior Appointee vacancies page and download the job description..
2) How to apply:
If you wish to apply for the senior role and are not currently working for the WJEC please go to www.appointees.wjec.co.uk and click 'Apply to become an Examiner' to fill out the application form.
If you currently work for WJEC, log in to your Appointments Management Portal account and click on the 'My Application' icon on the homepage. Make sure you add the role to the 'subject area' tab and fill in all the other fields of the application.
3) Application reviewed
Applications will be reviewed within 2 weeks of the closing date and referees may be contacted for verification. The time taken to review the application depends on the number of applications received.
4) Telephone or Microsoft Teams interview
You will be invited to an interview with our panel. The panel includes a member of WJEC's Appointees team, WJEC's Subject Officer and possibly the Chair for your qualification.
5) Written task
We will send you a written task to complete, which will be related to responsibilities as Principal Examiner or Moderator. You will receive further guidance via email ahead of the task.
6) Position offered
If a suitable vacancy is available, we will send you a contract to formally offer you the position. If you accept the position, you will be invited to a meeting with the Subject Officer and further training materials will be provided. Please view the Frequently Asked Questions for further information.
We provide Principal Examiners and Moderators with extensive training and support.
Our support package includes:
- A guidance booklet on writing question papers
- Meetings with the Subject Officer to outline expectations, responsibilities and procedures
- Support from the Chair and Subject Officer for Question Paper Evaluation Committee (QPEC) meetings
- Guidance prior to the face-to-face training conference for Examiners/Moderators
- Networking with other Principal Examiners/Moderators for your subject
