ISEB suggests bookmarking the link to the Invigilation Centre Guide. 

It is a live document and is kept updated.

1. Support details 

General enquiries 

Please visit our support page for any general enquiry relating to the ISEB Common Pre-Tests or any non-urgent technical issue.

To contact us for non-urgent support email pretests@iseb.co.uk

To contact us for urgent support during a test, please submit a ticket, selecting 'Technical difficulties during a test'.  This prioritises your ticket.

As well as this guide, please read the Guide to Administering the Common Pre-Tests and Troubleshooting for support on how to prepare and what to do on the day.

2. Outline of URL links

3. The Invigilation Centre Portal

To help you navigate the new portal we have created the following video and guides for you. You will also be able to find support articles that have been written on the ISEB Knowledge Base. These will be kept updated with frequently asked questions and answers. If you can’t find your answer there, email us pretests@iseb.co.uk.

Getting started video

How do I schedule the tests?

4. Preparing for the tests

Checklist

In advance

Check the system requirements (see below)

Run the diagnostic tool, (make sure you are logged in as the pupil to ensure the correct access privileges are being diagnosed) 

Download and print the Test Codes

Check the scheduled test window has not expired

Explore the ISEB Test Walkthrough with pupils to familiarise them with the platform

On the day

Ensure the pupils have access to pen/pencil and paper for any rough work (for all four tests)

Ensure the room meets the invigilation centre requirements (see below)

Brief each invigilator with the invigilation centre requirements and information on malpractice

Ensure any SEND access arrangements are met

Ensure pupils have their Test Codes and know their dates of birth

After the test

Complete the online Centre Declaration Form

Please note that all comments are visible to senior schools and guardians.

5. System requirements

The Common Pre-Tests are all online and so an internet connection is required.  

• The assessment platform will only support a Chrome browser, the minimum version required is 100 or Microsoft Edge Chromium. However we recommend you have the latest version for reliability. Please check all computers meet this requirement before the assessment.  

• We recommend a 10-15mbps connection speed for each machine for optimum performance when sitting the assessment.

• There is no offline version of the test

Whilst the test will run on most iPads, due to the nature of Apple products there can be issues with the way the questions are presented and we may not be able to resolve these. 

Diagnostic tool

The diagnostic tool should be used 2 weeks ahead of the test on all IT equipment that will be used. This tool will identify if there are any issues (eg firewall systems) that may prevent the tests from running.

Instructions

This diagnostics tool checks the required service connections for the session you are about to host.

You should run this check 1 week ahead of your scheduled session date to ensure that any issues identified can be dealt with ahead of time.

If there are any errors in the report, please download your report and contact ISEB by completing the following form.

Please note that the URLs listed in the report will need to be whitelisted at your school to ensure the functions all work as expected.

6. Invigilation Centre Requirements

Prior to the testing taking place

• a senior member of staff will be appointed to be responsible for the administration of the tests

• the senior member of staff and any test invigilator/s understand what constitutes malpractice and agrees to report any suspected incidents to ISEB

• a suitable testing environment will be provided, and every effort made to eliminate disturbances or interruptions

• applicants will have access to pen/pencil and paper for their rough work during the tests

• any textbooks, calculators, mobile devices, wall displays or other materials which might assist an applicant are removed from the room

• the test invigilator will ensure that all applicants are logged in with the correct applicant’s name displayed and they are ready to commence the test

During the testing period

The invigilator should read the following script before the start of each test:

  This the [insert test name] test. 

You have [see table below for length of test] minutes. 

You may use a pen or pencil and paper for your rough work, this will not be marked.

You should work through the questions carefully, you will not be able to skip any questions and you cannot go back to change your answers.

Don’t worry if you think you have made a mistake, answer the next question carefully.

If you finish the test before the time is completed, please sit quietly to allow other pupils to finish.

I will tell you when you have five minutes remaining.

The test will automatically stop when the time is finished.

• all applicants will be instructed to begin the test at the same time by selecting the appropriate test and to work in silence

• the invigilator will monitor the test to ensure that applicants are focused on their own screens

• the invigilator will ensure that no members of staff or pupils other than those involved in the test are able to access the questions

• no notes relating to the content of the tests will be taken and no information about the content will be passed on to other members of staff, parents, pupils or any other individuals

• applicants who finished early should not be allowed to disturb others

• the invigilator will remind applicants when 5 minutes of the test remains

• the invigilator will confirm that each applicant’s screen had returned to the home screen which will show the test has been completed

If there are any issues during the test, refer to the Guide to Administering the Common Pre-Tests and Troubleshooting first.  

To contact us for urgent support during a test, please submit a ticket, selecting 'Technical difficulties during a test'.  This prioritises your ticket.

Following the testing period

• any problems with the administration of the tests should be brought to the immediate attention of the senior member of staff and, where appropriate, to ISEB. 

GENERAL ISSUES

• any issues that occur during the administration of the tests will be specified in the Centre Declaration Form which can be found in the Invigilation Centre Portal. Issues to be reported could be those that may have affected a child’s (or more than one child) test completion (eg medical issues or unavoidable disturbances, such as a fire alarm). Anything reported on the Centre Declaration Form will be visible to senior schools and the parents or guardians of the child.

Completing the Centre Declaration Form at the end of the test

MALPRACTICE CONCERNS

• issues concerning suspected malpractice (see Appendix below) must be reported immediately using the following form.

Appendix

Malpractice

Malpractice means any incident which:

·       Gives unfair advantage to any applicant

·       Compromises the integrity of the test or the result

·       Compromises confidence in the ISEB Common Pre-Tests

Malpractice incidents can be intentional and aim to give an unfair advantage (either immediately or in the future) to applicants, or unintentional incidents. These occur due to a lack of awareness or carelessness during the process.

Malpractice could involve:

·       Applicants

·       Teachers, tutors, invigilators, or those facilitating access arrangements (eg readers)

·       Assessment personnel such as the senior member of staff responsible for the administration

·       Other third parties (eg parents/guardians)

Reporting Malpractice

Anyone suspecting malpractice should immediately contact the senior member of staff. Any incidents should then be reported to ISEB. If anyone does not feel comfortable reporting to the senior member of staff, then this should immediately be reported directly to ISEB. ISEB will then investigate and respond to any allegations. Examples of malpractice can be found below. To report malpractice click here.

Examples of Malpractice

1.     Breach of security – including, but not limited to:

a.     Failure to keep examination material confidential

b.     Recording (by any means) of test material

c.     Revealing information via internet forums/social media

d.     Failure to adequately supervise applicants

2.     Deception – including, but not limited to:

a.     Substituting applicants

3.     Improper assistance – including, but not limited to:

a.     Assisting or prompting applicants by answering questions

b.     Prompting applicants with signs, verbal or written prompts

c.     Use of internet or unauthorised devices during the test

4.     Candidate malpractice

a.     Unauthorised use of internet or devices during the test

b.     Being in possession of unauthorised confidential material about the tests

c.     Bringing in notes to aid answering the questions

Behaving in any manner which undermines the integrity of the tests is considered malpractice.