PISA Test Administrator Wales

PISA 2025 - Test Administrator (Main Study - Wales)

Background

PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is the world's largest international study that compares education systems worldwide. The study takes place in over 90 countries every three years and provides unique insight into how well pupils from all over the world can apply knowledge and skills in mathematics, reading, and science at the age of 15.

Pearson is responsible for the delivery of PISA 2025 in schools in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. The Main Study will take place in Wales from September to October 2025. Pearson is recruiting external Test Administrators to administer the Main Study in schools.

Pupils will complete a two-hour online assessment and a questionnaire. Test Administrators (TAs) will need to be confident using technology. However, training will be given on accessing and using the online platform, and schools are asked to have an IT technician available on the day.

Purpose

Test Administrators (TAs) administer the pupil online assessments and questionnaires within designated schools, ensuring that the international prescribed procedures are adhered to in full. Personnel engaged for this role will be trained remotely on the procedures and must complete pre-training activities and attend a live training/Q&A session in late August 2025. The exact date and time for this compulsory training will be provided nearer the time. Preparation for the training session will include reading the TA manual and completing online quizzes on the content.

Main Responsibilities

1. Liaise with the School Coordinator or Headteacher regarding arrangements for the test day, such as TA access to the school, room bookings, and desk/table layout of the room/s to be used, and access to IT facilities.
2. Confirm with the school that the requested language of assessment (Welsh, English, or a combination of these) has been appropriately set by Pearson.
3. Ensure that pupils receive the correct assessments on the day.
4. Administer the assessments and pupil questionnaires in accordance with the training and instructions provided, maintaining their security at all times.
5. Ensure the correct timing of the sessions, recording the session start and end times on the Session Report Form.
6. Record pupil participation on the Student Tracking Form.
7. After completion of the assessments, ensure administration documents are returned securely to Pearson, using the process outlined in training.
8. Ensure teacher and school questionnaires are completed.
9. In some instances, the Test Administrator will be required to set up, administer, and pack away Pearson supplied laptops couriered to a school for an assessment. Additional instructions for administering such a school will be provided.

Essential Experience

• Experience of working in a school classroom.
• Confident using IT.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of working with secondary school aged pupils.
• Experience of invigilating examinations.
• Bilingual Welsh/English is desirable, not essential. (This will factor in which schools are allocated to you).

Competencies Required

• Ability to adhere to specified procedural standards.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Good organisation and administrative skills.
• Ability to work to agreed timeframes.

Essential Requirements

• Availability to complete remote training in late August 2025.
• Availability required at least 3 days per week, Monday to Friday, from 15 September to 14 October 2025. Arrival time at school is usually 08:00 and finish time is approximately 13:00.
• Car and driving license for travel to schools.
• A current Enhanced DBS certificate. If you don't hold a certificate issued after 15 October 2023 (or registered on the update service), certification will be carried out as part of the recruitment process.
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

Desirable Requirements

• Occasionally overnight stays may be necessary to be at the school by 08:00. Availability for overnight stays will be captured prior to school allocation with allocations based accordingly.
• A proportion of recruited Test Administrators will deliver tests in certain schools in the Welsh language. Language skills will be captured prior to school allocation with allocations based accordingly.

Closing date: 11 April 2025 at midnight