During the exam, what is the role of the supervisor?

During the exam, the supervisor will assist with the invigilation of the exam ensuring candidates do not communicate with each other. Just before the exam is about to start, the supervisor should explain to the candidates that they can request chemicals or materials (should they run out) or more of the same apparatus because of spillages or breakages. Unless the confidential instructions say otherwise the supervisor must reset equipment back to the original state where candidates need to change between one apparatus and another.

The supervisor is allowed to help if the equipment isn’t functioning properly, for example if a candidate is unable to obtain a reading on an ammeter. However, the supervisor cannot take the readings for the candidates.  If the candidate is unable to set up the equipment in the first instance, then help can be provided, and this must be noted on the supervisor’s report.

The supervisor must also perform the experiments using the same equipment, materials, and batch of chemicals as the candidates. This must be done out of site of the candidates and the results recorded on a spare copy of the question paper labelled “Supervisor’s Results”. Note this is usually separate to the supervisor’s report, however if spare copies of the paper are unavailable this can be included as part of the supervisor’s report. The supervisor is also responsible for filling in the supervisor’s report.

At the end of the exam (along with the invigilator) the supervisor must check that any forms that we ask for in the confidential instructions are included with the candidate scripts to be returned to Cambridge International for marking and grading. If any problems have occurred during the practical, such as faulty equipment that has disadvantaged the candidates, the supervisor should record this in the supervisor’s report and talk to the exams officer about applying for special consideration.