verb

invigilate

in-VIJ-uh-layt/ɪnˈvɪdʒɪleɪt/

To supervise students during an examination.

Teachers invigilate exams to ensure students follow the testing rules.

An invigilator stands watch beside widely spaced examination desks while three adult students independently complete identical answer sheets.

Etymology

inLatinin, upon

+vigilLatinwatch, keep awake

+ateLatinpast-participle ending

The root means watching or keeping awake, and the Latin compound meant watching over something. English narrowed this general attentive watching to supervising students during examinations.

More examples

She invigilates the entrance exam every spring.
We invigilated two groups of students yesterday.
Phones must remain off while you are invigilating.

Forms

invigilate · invigilates · invigilated · invigilating

invigilator noun — A person who supervises students during examinations.

invigilation noun — The supervision of students during an examination.

Similar words

proctor: The usual American word for supervising students during exams.
supervise: Covers overseeing many activities, not just students taking exams.