On the invigilation page, an invigilator follows the candidates in a schedule and acts when something affects the assessment. For example, you can give extra time after a disruption, pause candidates during a fire alarm or send a message to everyone in progress.
Open the invigilation page
- Go to Delivering > Invigilation.
- Select the schedule.
The page lists each candidate with their Handed in status, Time spent, Extra time and Status. Keycode schedules also show each candidate's Keycode. Select the information icon next to a candidate to see more detail, such as their browser, IP address, attempt, duration and time left.
You can only act on a schedule where you are an invigilator. On other schedules, Cirrus shows "You are not an invigilator. You cannot make changes to the scheduled assessment."
To act on candidates, select the checkbox of each candidate. The checkbox in the header selects all candidates. Then select Give extra time, or choose an action from Bulk actions:
- Pause
- Resume
- Message
- Void attempt
- Print keycodes
- Export to Excel
If an action does not apply to some of the selected candidates, Cirrus tells you how many candidates it could not act on.
Filter the candidate list
Select Filter to narrow the list:
- Status: All, Not started, In progress, Handed in, Paused or Voided.
- Submitted: All, Candidate or System. System shows attempts that Cirrus submitted automatically when the time expired.
Invigilator action: pause and resume
Pause candidates when something interrupts the assessment, such as a computer problem or a fire alarm.
- Select the candidates.
- In Bulk actions, select Pause.
- Confirm the action.
You can only pause candidates whose status is In progress. To continue, select the candidates and select Resume in Bulk actions. You can only resume candidates whose status is Paused.
The candidate's timer stops while the attempt is paused, so the candidate does not lose time. Candidates still cannot work past the schedule end.
Invigilator action: give extra time
An invigilator gives extra time for two main reasons:
- The candidate has particular needs, such as dyslexia. This extra time is usually set centrally, not by the invigilator. See Extra time for candidates with particular needs.
- A disruption, such as a fire alarm, costs candidates time.
Candidates cannot work past the schedule end, even with extra time. Set the schedule window with room for the extra time you need, for example for candidates with reasonable adjustments. See Time allotted and the schedule deadline.
To give extra time:
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Go to Delivering > Invigilation and open the schedule.
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Select the checkbox of each candidate. The checkbox in the header selects all candidates.
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Select Give extra time, next to Bulk actions.
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Enter the number of minutes.
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Select Save.
Cirrus adds the extra time to the attempt of each selected candidate. You can give extra time to candidates who have not started, as well as to candidates whose attempt is in progress.
- If a candidate has an extra attempt, Cirrus gives the extra time to the next attempt when the previous attempt was handed in or voided.
- Cirrus does not apply extra time to handed-in or voided attempts.
- Cirrus disables Give extra time when the attempt duration equals the schedule duration, because there is no time left in the schedule to add.
Invigilator action: void
Void an attempt when a candidate must not continue, for example because they were found cheating.
The candidate cannot continue the attempt after you void it. Tell your organisation, so it can take the next steps under its own rules.
- Select the candidates.
- In Bulk actions, select Void attempt.
- Confirm the action.
You can only void candidates whose status is In progress or Paused. To void attempts, your role needs the Void attempts permission.
Invigilator action: send messages
Send a short text message to candidates during the assessment, for example to announce a change.
- Select the candidates.
- In Bulk actions, select Message.
- Enter the message and select Send.
The message appears on the screens of the selected candidates whose status is In progress. A candidate with connection problems receives the message when they reconnect. Candidates cannot reply. To send messages, your role needs the Send messages permission.
Invigilator: print options
On keycode schedules, select the candidates and select Print keycodes in Bulk actions. Choose one of these layouts:
- One keycode per page: slips to hand out to candidates.
- Multiple keycode per page: a list for administrative staff.
To save the candidate list, select Export to Excel in Bulk actions.
Invigilator: candidate logs and connection status
When candidates lose their internet connection or navigate away from the assessment, the invigilation page shows how many candidates are affected. Select the information icon next to a candidate to check their browser, IP address and time left.