StoreCheckers Exam Audits: Ensuring Integrity and Compliance
In the high-stakes world of academic and professional qualifications, the role of invigilators and exam centres is pivotal. They are not just facilitators of testing environments but also gatekeepers of academic integrity. That’s why StoreCheckers conducts Exam Centre Audits – an independent, mystery-shopper style evaluation designed to ensure that exam centres operate to the highest standards.
What Are Exam Centre Audits?
StoreCheckers' Exam Centre Audits are independent evaluations focusing on three core areas:
- Security Standards
- Malpractice Prevention
- Exam Protocol Compliance
These audits assess how effectively invigilators enforce exam regulations and how vigilant they are in identifying and addressing potential breaches. The audits are typically unannounced and simulate real exam-day conditions to provide awarding bodies with an authentic snapshot of how protocols are followed in practice.
Why Are These Audits Important?
1. Protecting Reputation
Invigilators are the face of awarding bodies within exam centres. When protocols are followed correctly, they help uphold the standards and credibility of the accreditation. However, frequent incidents of malpractice or lax enforcement can erode trust and damage the awarding body's reputation.
2. Avoiding Regulatory Fines
Beyond reputational damage, regulatory consequences can be severe. Ofqual, the exams regulator in England, has previously issued significant fines to awarding bodies that failed to uphold required standards:
- Pearson was fined £250,000 in January 2025 for repeated rule breaches (Schools Week article).
- City & Guilds received a £200,000 fine in March 2024 for a series of regulatory failings (FE Week article).
These examples underscore the need for proactive, preventative auditing.
Why Use Independent Audits?
Most incidents of malpractice or maladministration are not premeditated. They result from lapses in vigilance or inconsistent application of protocols. Independent audits provide:
- Real-world insight – StoreCheckers deploys mystery shoppers to exam centres, enabling awarding bodies to see how standards are upheld in everyday conditions.
- Adaptability – Audit protocols can be quickly updated to respond to emerging risks in the sector, such as the rise of concealed tech-based cheating methods.
What Do the Audits Involve?
StoreCheckers’ audits assess a range of practical scenarios across three key areas:
Security Standards
- ID Verification: Was the candidate’s ID checked against acceptable criteria?
- Prohibited Items: Did the invigilator detect and respond to restricted items being brought in?
- Locker Access: Were candidates allowed to retrieve personal items mid-exam?
- Material Removal: Were candidates prevented from taking paper or materials out of the exam room?
Malpractice Detection
- Cheat Sheets: Were hidden notes identified on entry, during the exam, or on exit?
- Concealed Devices: Did the invigilator notice and act on devices such as AirPods or smartwatches?
Exam Protocol Compliance
- Check-in/Check-out: Were correct procedures followed, such as returning noteboards?
- Digital Exam Checks: Was a thorough 360° room scan performed, and were prohibited items spotted?
- Phone Use: Was phone activity during the exam properly flagged?
- Camera View: Did the invigilator respond appropriately if a candidate left the camera frame?
StoreCheckers' Exam Centre Audits are a vital tool for awarding bodies looking to uphold the integrity of their qualifications. By identifying gaps in protocol enforcement and providing actionable insights, these audits help exam centres maintain compliance, protect reputations, and ultimately deliver fair and secure assessments.
For awarding bodies, prevention is always better than penalty – and regular, independent audits are a crucial step toward ensuring both. Get in touch with the team at StoreCheckers and Serve Legal
here.