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Exam-marking

Marking exam papers adds up to more cash

Many teachers and lecturers – both active and retired - boost their income by marking GCSE and other exam papers. It’s a useful way of squeezing extra cash out of something you already know how to do.

What’s involved

Most marking is done in June and then a bit more in January, leaving you free for the rest of the year.
Exam boards recruit throughout the year with the bulk of examiners employed for the Summer.
You might get one other batch of marking if you are lucky but no examiner will get four contracts in twelve months.
Marking usually takes three or four weeks for which the examiner will be paid something in the range of £800 to a thousand pounds.
The number of scripts involved varies from subject to subject, as does the payment per script.
Some subjects are tougher to mark so examiners are paid more for each one and given fewer of them.
Training is provided for new examiners and you have to attend a standardisation meeting for each contract to ensure consistency.

How much can you make?

Between £800 and a thousand pounds over three or four weeks.

Costs

Nothing except your time. Although you will need your own computer for online marking.
Training days are free and most exam boards will bear the replacement costs if you have to miss a day of teaching.
You should get travel expenses too.

Training and qualifications

You must be fully qualified in the subject you are examining and ideally have teaching experience in it.
Computer literacy is becoming increasingly important too, as many examiners are now required to work online.
There will be training days where new examiners learn the secrets of standardised marking (teachers might be a bit odd at times, but don’t worry, there’s no occult rituals involved).
You’ll be monitored throughout the marking process.

Pros

Three or four weeks will earn you enough to take a holiday!
Being an examiner looks good on your CV.
It will improve your teaching. There’s nothing like marking 300 scripts to help you realise what examiners like and dislike.
The training sessions also provide valuable networking opportunities.
Oh yes, and you can work at home where the coffee is probably better than at work.

Cons

The work comes in short, sharp, concentrated bursts.
500 pieces of work are a lot to get through in three or four weeks.
Self-discipline and effective time management are a must. You can’t leave it all to the last minute. If anything – you owe the students a clear mind.

Useful contacts

The following exam board websites are a good source of information:

Assessment Qualifications Alliance
Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations
Edexcel (an awarding body that provides academic and vocational qualifications)

Welsh Joint Education Committee

Council For The Curriculum Examination Assessment : N.Ireland

Jasmine and the Moneymagpie team
Moneymagpie Moneypedia
09.01.2008