Information for examiners and moderators

Online standardisation (OLS)

E-OLS (for examiners) and M-OLS (for moderators) is where you will receive your training in the mark scheme/assessment criteria and required standard of marking. It is web-based, it requires an internet connection to function, but does not need to be downloaded. Before the standardisation date(s), you will be able to access example scripts from the previous year (for E-OLS), a briefing on administration, an introductory message from the lead examiner/moderator, and some system training (E-OLS only).

E-OLS

For examiners: on exam day you will also be able to access the question paper and mark scheme for your component.

Senior examiners will select and mark a number of scripts from actual students that illustrate aspects of the mark scheme. These will be put onto the E-OLS system and, during the standardisation window, you will be presented with the unmarked versions. You will need to put marks and annotations on each script and then the marks and comments from the senior examiners/moderators will be displayed.

M-OLS

The lead moderator will select and mark a number of scripts from actual students that illustrate aspects of the assessment criteria. These will be uploaded onto the M-OLS system and, during the standardisation window, you will need to put marks and annotations on each script and then the marks and comments from the lead moderator will be displayed.

Your team leader will discuss these marks with you, and clear you to mark if you are in line with the required standard. You will be able to refer back to these standardisation scripts for reference throughout the marking period.

For some components there will be further batches of scripts to be marked as a first phase sample within the OLS system. On other components the first phase sample will be done through the post, using live scripts. In either case you should discuss the standardisation scripts with your team leader before progressing on to the first phase sample.

PC requirements

OLS and OLA are web-based systems accessed through a web browser:

• operating system: Windows & macOS - the latest 3 major versions are supported
• Chrome (latest version), Edge (2 most recent major versions)
• processor speed: 2.33GHz or faster x86-compatible processor, or Intel® Atom™. 1.6GHz or faster processor for netbooks
• memory: 2GB of RAM
• 2GB free hard disk space
• firewall enabled (recommended)
• broadband internet connection – minimum 512K, highly recommended 2Mb or better (2Mb or better minimum for components that use video for standardisation)
• screen resolution able to be set to at least 1024x768 pixels
• keyboard and mouse
• personal email address