Key resources

It is important that you should be familiar with:

• QA35: Assessment procedures for taught programmes of study QA35 guides the preparation for and conduct of Boards of Examiners. Appendices to QA35 include standard BEU and BEC agenda and minute templates, and guidance about scaling.

• Faculty- and School-specific information regarding the management of Boards of Examiners’ business and meeting coordination. Assistant Registrars (Faculties/School) or the Head of Learning Partnerships can advise.

• SAMIS manuals for staff who deal with assessment and progression

Related information

• Academic Administration Calendar (for timings of Boards of Examiners and Boards of Studies)
• Assessment, Marking and Feedback (QA16)
• Assessment regulations
• Examination and Assessment Offences (QA53)
• External Examining (Taught Provision) (QA12)
• External examiners’ induction materials
• Individual mitigating circumstances - a student guide
• IMC Policy for courses governed by the Undergraduate Assessment Regulations (UGAR) and Postgraduate Taught Assessment Regulations (PGTAR)
• Individual Mitigating Circumstances & Assessment (IMCA): Principles & Procedures for courses governed by NFAAR-PGT, NFAAR-HY and NFAAR-FD
• Individual Mitigating Circumstances & Assessment (IMCA): Principles & Procedures for courses governed by NFAAR-PGOLC
• IMC classification scenario Excel spreadsheets and guidance (on Academic Registry's staff guidance wiki) - see the 'Individual Mitigating Circumstances' section
• Course & Unit Catalogues
• Regulations for Students (see Regulation 15.7 for undergraduate maximum periods of study)
• SAMIS manuals and training
• Scaling guidance (QA35, §6.6 and appendix 4)

Guidance sessions

Guidance and context for Chairs of Boards of Examiners is available from Academic Registry in addition to exam board support coordinated by Assistant Registrars (Faculties/School) and the Head of Learning Partnerships.

Contact the Academic Standards team to arrange a guidance session from Academic Registry.

SAMIS & Business Objects training

Training sessions are held on how to use SAMIS and Business Objects.

Induction

The following induction is strongly advised if you are acting in one of the following roles for the first time, or need a refresher:

Chairs and Directors of Studies:

• Speak to your Assistant Registrar (Faculties/School) or the Head of Learning Partnerships regarding your training/support needs.

• Make sure you are familiar with QA35, its appendices, and the examination board resources highlighted on this page.

• Arrange a session with the Academic Standards team in Academic Registry for background context to the role of examination boards.

• Make sure you are familiar with the relevant assessment and IMC regulations (see “Key contacts” below if you have specific questions about their application to complex student matters).

Secretaries:

• Speak to your line manager (and/or your Assistant Registrar (Faculties/School) or the Head of Learning Partnerships) regarding your training/support needs, and best practice in Board preparation and servicing.

• Make sure you are familiar with QA35, its appendices, and the examination board resources highlighted on this page.

• Familiarise yourself with the general committee servicing resources available from Governance.

Independent Observers:

• Speak to your Assistant Registrar (Faculties/School) or the Head of Learning Partnerships regarding your training/support needs.

• Discuss the role with the Academic Standards team in Academic Registry if further guidance is needed.

• Make sure you are familiar with QA35, its appendices (especially Appendix 1A: Independent Observers and Appendix 1B: Report template, and the examination board resources highlighted on this page.

Key contacts

First point of contact for examination board queries

Assistant Registrars (Faculties/School) or the Head of Learning Partnerships