Become an associate

Become an associate

Join a community of subject matter experts who work with us to design and deliver exams

What's in it for you

As an associate, you'll be able to:

Progress your career

Continue your professional development and enhance your current role.

Work flexibly

Fit work around your regular job and your home and work commitments.

Enhance your knowledge

Keep your subject knowledge up to date.

Develop new skills

Work with us to become a recognised expert in assessment.

Apply for roles

Discover more about the positions we have available and how to apply below.

Further information is available in the senior associate recruitment pack (963.69 KB).

Are you an experienced teacher or examiner with an in depth understanding of Sociology who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold national standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’ve joined forces with Oxford University Press to deliver globally relevant qualifications that reflect the latest in the UK’s standard. This venture offers international GCSEs, AS and A-levels to meet the needs of British curriculum schools internationally.

We’re looking for a Chief Examiner, Lead Assessment Writers and a Reviser to support the delivery of our International AS/A-level Sociology specifications. These roles are essential in delivering assessments and marking that meet the needs of both students and teachers.

The roles can be worked flexibly and are designed to be carried out alongside full time teaching commitments.

Many of our OxfordAQA qualifications are sat twice a year and as such the workload can vary throughout the year, with multiple series being worked on concurrently. There will be a requirement to attend a small number of meetings during the working week.

Chief Examiner

What you’ll do

You’ll oversee the development of question papers and mark schemes, ensuring they are of the highest quality and provide fair, reliable assessment. Leading a team of associates, you’ll guide the review and refinement of assessment materials, balancing deadlines with the need for consistent standards.

Beyond paper production, you’ll play a key role in supporting and influencing the quality of marking, helping to resolve escalations and ensuring robust processes are in place.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have expertise in Sociology with an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Have an awareness of cultural sensitivities that may exist within our target markets.
  • Be capable of leading with positivity while supporting and developing a team.
  • Balance competing priorities and resolve issues quickly and effectively.
  • Possess a focus on quality and consistency and the ability to ensure high standards across all aspects of assessment.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Be able to evidence excellent attention to detail.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Lead Assessment Writer

What you’ll do

You’ll play a key role in the question paper production process by creating high quality question papers and mark schemes which reflect the requirements set out in a brief.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have expertise in Sociology, with an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Have experience of writing questions in an education setting and be able to write to a brief.
  • Have the ability to select appropriate sources for use in question papers, with an awareness of cultural sensitivities that may exist within our target markets.
  • Be able to evidence excellent attention to detail.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Be open to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Reviser

You’ll check assessment materials to ensure that they are error free and meet their purpose as outlined in the planning phase. You will proof read and report on question papers to ensure the standard is appropriate for the target audience and fulfils the demands of the specification and assessment objectives.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have expertise in Sociology, with an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Have a sound understanding of good assessment practises.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Have great proof reading ability.
  • Have an awareness of cultural sensitivities that may exist within our target markets.
  • Have the ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Further information and how to apply

These are contractual roles; you’ll be paid a fee for both your work and meeting attendance.

If you wish to apply, please complete the relevant application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

If you wish to be considered for more than one role, apply for your preference and note any other roles of interest in the personal statement section of the application form.

  1. Chief Examiner – application form
  2. Lead Assessment Writer – application form
  3. Reviser – application form

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancies and receipt of applications is 9.00am on Monday 14 July.

Are you an experienced teacher or examiner with an in depth understanding of Project based work who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold international standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’ve joined forces with Oxford University Press to deliver globally relevant qualifications that reflect the latest in the UK’s standard. This venture offers international GCSEs, AS and A-levels to meet the needs of British curriculum schools internationally.

We’re looking for a Chief Examiner, Lead Moderators and NEA Advisors to support the delivery of our new International GCSE Global Skills Projects specification. This is a two component International GCSE which consists of:

  • An individual project which is similar to the current AQA Project Qualifications.
  • A group project which will focus on sustainability.

These roles are essential in delivering moderation that meets the needs of both students and teachers. They can be worked flexibly and are designed to be carried out alongside full time teaching commitments.

Many of our OxfordAQA qualifications are sat twice a year and as such the workload can vary throughout the year, with multiple series being worked on concurrently. There will be a requirement to attend a small number of meetings during the working week.

Chief Examiner

What you’ll do

Leading a team of associates, you’ll play a key role in supporting and influencing the quality of moderation, helping to resolve escalations and ensuring robust processes are in place while balancing deadlines with the need for consistent standards.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have a background in sustainability with expertise in project based work and non-examined assessment, alongside an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Be capable of leading with positivity while supporting and developing a team.
  • Have experience of balancing competing priorities and resolving issues quickly and effectively.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Possess a focus on quality and consistency and ensuring high standards across all aspects of assessment.
  • Be able to evidence excellent attention to detail.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Lead Moderators

What you’ll do

You’ll produce training materials and guidance that convey the marking standard and ensure consistent application of the marking criteria. You will review evidence at an Awarding Committee using your professional judgement based on evidence to determine the grade boundaries.

The majority of the workload will fall between October to December and April to July.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have experience of moderating project based work and a thorough knowledge and understanding of marking criteria. To be considered for the sustainability group project component you will need a background in sustainability.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Be open to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback.
  • Effectively collaborate and engage with stakeholders.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

NEA (Non-Examined Assessment) Advisors

You’ll use your subject knowledge, communication skills and empathy to help teachers plan, organise and deliver NEA’s. You’ll respond to queries via email and build supportive relationships with teachers and centres, bringing learning concepts to life.

The workload is approximately 1 hours per 2 weeks, with peak periods in September–October and February–March.

To be successful in this role, you will:

Be a qualified teacher or former teacher with knowledge of moderating project based NEA’s. To be considered for the sustainability group project component you will need a background in sustainability.

  • Have experience of marking or moderating for an exam board.
  • Be passionate about project based work and enjoy supporting fellow educators.
  • Have strong written communication skills and attention to detail.
  • Be empathetic and approachable.
  • Be confident using Microsoft Outlook.

Further information and how to apply

These are contractual roles; you’ll be paid a fee for both your work and meeting attendance.

If you wish to apply, please complete the relevant application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

If you wish to be considered for more than one role, apply for your preference and note any other roles of interest in the personal statement section of the application form.

  1. Chief Examiner – application form
  2. Lead Moderator – application form
  3. NEA Advisor – application form

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes a person unique.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancies and receipt of applications is 9.00am on Monday 14 July.

Are you an experienced teacher or examiner with an in depth understanding of Chinese who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold national standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’ve joined forces with Oxford University Press to deliver globally relevant qualifications that reflect the latest in the UK’s standard. This venture offers international GCSEs, AS and A-levels to meet the needs of British curriculum schools internationally.

We’re looking for a Chief Examiner, Lead Assessment Writers and a Reviser to support the delivery of our new International AS/A-level Chinese – First Language specifications. These roles are essential in delivering assessments and marking that meet the needs of both students and teachers.

The roles can be worked flexibly and are designed to be carried out alongside full time teaching commitments.

Many of our OxfordAQA qualifications are sat twice a year and as such the workload can vary throughout the year, with multiple series being worked on concurrently. There will be a requirement to attend a small number of meetings during the working week.

Chief Examiner

What you’ll do

You’ll oversee the development of question papers and mark schemes, ensuring they are of the highest quality and provide fair, reliable assessments. Leading a team of associates, you’ll guide the review and refinement of assessment materials, balancing deadlines with the need for consistent standards.

Beyond paper production, you’ll play a key role in supporting and influencing the quality of marking, helping to resolve escalations and ensuring robust processes are in place.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have expertise in spoken Mandarin and traditional and simplified Chinese characters (native or near-native fluency), with an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Have an awareness of cultural sensitivities that may exist within our target markets.
  • Be capable of leading with positivity while supporting and developing a team.
  • Balance competing priorities and resolve issues quickly and effectively.
  • Possess a focus on quality and consistency and the ability to ensure high standards across all aspects of assessment.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Be able to evidence excellent attention to detail.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Lead Assessment Writer

What you’ll do

You’ll play a key role in the question paper production process by creating high quality question papers and mark schemes which reflect the requirements set out in a brief.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have expertise in spoken Mandarin and traditional and simplified Chinese characters (native or near-native fluency), with an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Have experience of writing questions in an education setting and be able to write to a brief.
  • Have the ability to select appropriate sources for use in question papers, with an awareness of cultural sensitivities that exist in our target markets.
  • Be able to evidence excellent attention to detail.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Be open to receiving and incorporating constructive feedback.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Reviser

You’ll check assessment materials to ensure that they are error free and meet their purpose as outlined in the planning phase. You will proof read and report on question papers to ensure the standard is appropriate for the target audience and fulfils the demands of the specification and assessment objectives.

To be successful in this role, you will:

  • Have expertise in spoken Mandarin and traditional and simplified Chinese characters (native or near-native fluency), with an in-depth knowledge of assessment and curriculum requirements.
  • Have a sound understanding of good assessment practises.
  • Be consistent in meeting deadlines and delivering work to a strict schedule.
  • Have great proof reading ability.
  • Have an awareness of cultural sensitivities within our target markets.
  • Have the ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback.
  • Possess good IT skills - much of the role is computer based.

Further information and how to apply

These are contractual roles; you’ll be paid a fee for both your work and meeting attendance.

If you wish to apply, please complete the relevant application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

If you wish to be considered for more than one role, apply for your preference and note any other roles of interest in the personal statement section of the application form.

  1. Chief Examiner – application form
  2. Lead Assessment Writer – application form
  3. Reviser – application form

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

The closing date for the vacancies and receipt of applications is 9.00am on Monday 14 July.

Are you an experienced teacher or examiner with an in depth understanding of GCSE Geography, who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold national standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’re looking for a Scrutineer to support the delivery of our AQA GCSE Geography specification. This role is essential in delivering assessments and marking that meet the needs of both students and teachers. Scrutineers are responsible for testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate for students. Due to the optionality within the papers, a wide knowledge of the specification is expected.

The nature of this annually contracted role allows you to continue with your full-time professional commitments. We believe it is important for the post holder to have teaching experience so that they can accurately reflect the ‘student voice’.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role are:

  • testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate
  • review the content of an assessment by sitting the question paper under exam conditions
  • provide feedback to the assessment production team on any issues observed whilst sitting the question paper.

What we are looking for

  • current or recent teaching experience of GCSE Geography
  • candidates with excellent subject and AQA GCSE Geography specification knowledge
  • ability to empathise with students sitting exams and how they interpret assessments
  • awareness/knowledge of the marking process
  • excellent communication skills with an ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback
  • background of critiquing work and suggesting amendments constructively.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply for this role please complete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is Monday 07 July 2025.

Are you an expert in Mathematics with an in-depth knowledge of assessment, who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence national assessment standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’re looking to add to our team of Item Writers to support the delivery of GCSE Mathematics.

There isn’t a significant time commitment for this role which can be undertaken alongside a full-time teaching post. The role is home-based and the bulk of the workload will fall in the early autumn or early New Year (covering two production cycles), though you may be required to attend a small number of meetings across the year via Microsoft Teams.

What you’ll do
You’ll be responsible for creating items and appropriate supporting marking instructions, then act on constructive feedback from other members of the team. An “item” is the term we use for a question or task and the accompanying mark scheme. To write an item you need to be able to produce all of these elements in accordance with specific commissioning guidance.

What we’re looking for

  • Experience of teaching and/or marking GCSE Mathematics (within the last 3 years).
  • Experience of writing questions covering different topics and assessment objectives, and a comprehension of what makes a good question paper and mark scheme.
  • Receptive to feedback, consistently meeting deadlines and working within a collaborative environment.
  • The ability to work independently and write to a brief.

Why this role matters
You’ll help shape assessments that reflect the diverse skills and understanding of students across the country. Your work will be essential in delivering assessments that meet the needs of both students and teachers.

Further information and how to apply
This is a contractual role; you’ll be paid a fee for both your work and meeting attendance.

If you’re ready to take on this role, complete the application form by Monday 07 July 2025.

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any/all relevant/required experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

For further enquiries contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

Are you an experienced teacher or examiner with an in depth understanding of A-level Modern Hebrew, who is ready to take the next step in your professional development?

Do you aspire to influence and uphold national standards for the leading provider of GCSE and A-level qualifications?

AQA are an educational charity committed to helping students and teachers realise their potential. We’re looking for a Scrutineer to support the delivery of our AQA A-level Hebrew (Modern) specification. This role is essential in delivering assessments and marking that meet the needs of both students and teachers. Scrutineers are responsible for testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate for students.

The nature of this annually contracted role allows you to continue with your full-time professional commitments. We believe it is important for the post holder to have teaching experience so that they can accurately reflect the ‘student voice’.

Key deliverables

Some of the key responsibilities of the role are:

  • testing draft assessments from the perspective of a student to ensure that the assessment is complete, valid and appropriate
  • review the content of an assessment by sitting the question paper under exam conditions
  • provide feedback to the assessment production team on any issues observed whilst sitting the question paper.

What we are looking for

  • current or recent teaching experience of A-level Modern Hebrew
  • candidates with excellent subject and specification knowledge
  • ability to empathise with students sitting exams and how they interpret assessments
  • awareness/knowledge of the marking process
  • excellent communication skills with an ability to articulate clear, honest and appropriate feedback
  • background of critiquing work and suggesting amendments constructively.

Further information and how to apply

If you wish to apply for this role please complete the application form ensuring you do so by the closing date.

For further enquires please contact seniorrecruitment@aqa.org.uk

In the personal statement section of their application, applicants are strongly advised to include any relevant experience they’re bringing to the role together with a brief description of what motivates them to apply for the position.

AQA welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.

The closing date for the vacancy and receipt of applications is 30 June 2025.

Training and support

Alongside the support AQA and our associate community will give you, you'll also get detailed training on our core systems and processes. These include:

  • Assessment writing and reviewing
  • Online marking and monitoring
  • Digital assessment creation
  • Awarding and statistical analysis

Paper production

For some specifications, whole papers are planned, drafted, agreed and managed from beginning to end.

Exam delivery

Our exams and non-exam assessments (NEA) are marked by 30,000 examiners and moderators. Progress and quality is monitored by groups of associates, starting with standardisation and regular checking of marking through to awarding – where grade boundaries are set and applied to each student’s mark.

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Our safeguarding commitment

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

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Email: onboarding@aqa.org.uk

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