Your local education authority often needs invigilators for GCSE and A-Level exams

• You should receive a briefing of your role when you arrive.

• You may have to hand out and later collect the papers, checking that the students have a matching proof of identity.

• A fair bit of tedium. You will either have to sit the entire time, or walk up and down between the desks. 

• If you see any cheating you will have to contact a higher authority.

• You’ll be told what to do in the event of a fire alarm or if a student is taken ill. 

• The easiest way to get this work at a university or college is to be recommended by a person who already invigilates. 

• Contact the various exam boards requesting work or go direct to your local schools and colleges.

• Check your local paper to see what courses are running near you. Depending on their requirements, it may help if you have some knowledge or experience of the education.

• You should have no connection with any person taking the examination. 

• A half-day (i.e. a three hour exam) will pay about £45. 

• You will have to be there a half hour before the start and after the finish. 

• A two week stretch of two exams a day will pay between £8 and £18 an hour.

• None other than travel expenses, although universities will pay these or give you a small flat fee.

• Nothing specific but a post-graduate student, a retired teacher or school secretary would be well suited. 
• Otherwise, you must be sensible and responsible.

• This is good money for not doing very much - if you don’t get bored easily.

• You cannot read or write to pass the time because you have to be alert all the time. 

• It also tends to be seasonal work, mostly in January and in early summer.

• Floodlight is the official guide to courses in London. You can buy a copy in bookshops or newsagent or visit the website.

For more information on making money from education, check out our pages on tutoring and computer training.