--- title: Operational Support for Exam Administration description: Discover how the British Council supports exam administration with reliable operational services, ensuring quality, security, and efficiency globally. --- # Seamless and secure exams operational support We support schools with secure, end-to-end exam administration and delivery, helping reduce complexity and ensure compliance at every stage. [ Become a Partner School ](https://internationalschools-britishcouncil-org.sandbox.hs-sites-eu1.com/contact-us) ## Expert support for secure school exams delivery **Delivering high-stakes school exams requires precision, compliance and trusted operational expertise.** The British Council **supports schools around the world with secure, end-to-end exam administration**, helping schools reduce complexity and **ensure exams are delivered safely, efficiently** and in line with awarding body and local legislation requirements. Each year, we deliver high-stakes exams to more than 4.5 million individuals across over 130 countries and 700 locations. This **includes international school qualifications, professional and university exams, [IELTS](https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/), and other English language assessments**. With over 26,000 highly experienced local examination staff around the world, we ensure swift, effective and efficient support on the ground. For many years **we have been the preferred partner of choice for leading awarding bodies to deliver academic and professional examinations internationally.** For schools offering international school qualifications, **our operational and administrative support helps make the process seamless, secure and manageable**, so educators can focus on teaching and learning.   ## Why schools choose the British Council for exam delivery support **Schools need a trusted partner that understands the operational, regulatory and logistical demands of delivering high-stakes assessments.** Our support **helps deliver more than 1 million school exams annually for over 250,000 students,** partnering with **international education providers: Cambridge, OxfordAQA and Pearson Edexcel.** Our support is designed to reduce administrative burden, manage risk and give school leaders confidence that every stage of the exams process is being handled professionally. ### End-to-end operational support for school exams We provide **comprehensive support across the full exam lifecycle, from registration through to post-exam services**. Our exam delivery support includes: ![Document - Icon 45](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Document%20-%20Icon%2045.png?height=80&name=Document%20-%20Icon%2045.png) **Exam registration and payment processing** ![gear - Icon 37](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/gear%20-%20Icon%2037.png?height=80&name=gear%20-%20Icon%2037.png) **Local currency fee collection and refunds** ![Lock - Icon 17](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Lock%20-%20Icon%2017.png?height=80&name=Lock%20-%20Icon%2017.png) **Secure handling and storage of confidential exam materials** ![upload - Icon 49](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/upload%20-%20Icon%2049.png?height=80&name=upload%20-%20Icon%2049.png) **Transport and dispatch of materials** ![search - Icon 61](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/search%20-%20Icon%2061.png?height=80&name=search%20-%20Icon%2061.png) **Venue selection and inspections** ![Teach - Icon 08](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Teach%20-%20Icon%2008.png?height=80&name=Teach%20-%20Icon%2008.png) **Invigilator and venue staff briefing** ![Calendar Yes - Icon 12](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Calendar%20Yes%20-%20Icon%2012.png?height=80&name=Calendar%20Yes%20-%20Icon%2012.png) **Timetable communication and statements of entry** ![Online - Icon 36](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Online%20-%20Icon%2036.png?height=80&name=Online%20-%20Icon%2036.png) **Access arrangements and special consideration support** ![Headset - Icon 53](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Headset%20-%20Icon%2053.png?height=80&name=Headset%20-%20Icon%2053.png) **Enquiries about results** ![Graduation cap - Icon 03](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Graduation%20cap%20-%20Icon%2003.png?height=80&name=Graduation%20cap%20-%20Icon%2003.png) **Results and certificate dispatch** By managing these complex administrative tasks, **we help schools deliver exams smoothly and securely while freeing up valuable time for school leadership teams**, teachers and coordinators. Adopting international school qualifications with the right guidance and expert support ensures a **structured and expedited process**, with less hassle and burden. ## How do schools benefit from our operational support? Partnering with the British Council gives schools practical, operational and strategic advantages. ![folder - Icon 67](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/folder%20-%20Icon%2067.png?height=80&name=folder%20-%20Icon%2067.png) **Reduce administrative burden** We remove much of the complexity involved in exams administration, allowing schools to focus on educational quality, student outcomes and day-to-day teaching and learning. ![Lock - Icon 17](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Lock%20-%20Icon%2017.png?height=80&name=Lock%20-%20Icon%2017.png) **Protect exam security** All confidential exam materials are centrally managed through secure processes designed to protect integrity and confidentiality at every stage. ![Tick - Icon 02](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Tick%20-%20Icon%2002.png?height=80&name=Tick%20-%20Icon%2002.png) **Strengthen compliance** Our operations teams are trained in awarding body requirements and the British Council’s Quality and Compliance Assurance framework, helping schools meet evolving standards with confidence. ![Bag - Icon 15](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Bag%20-%20Icon%2015.png?height=80&name=Bag%20-%20Icon%2015.png) **Minimise operational risk** We manage challenges linked to customs clearance, local taxes, courier handling, transport and other logistics that can create delays or risks for schools. ![Language - Icon 06](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Exams%20-%20ISE%20Microsite/Icons/Language%20-%20Icon%2006.png?height=80&name=Language%20-%20Icon%2006.png) **Access local support** Our in-country teams and dedicated relationship managers provide practical guidance, responsive support and issue resolution throughout the year. ### Quality and Compliance Assurance Framework (QCA) **Our operational support is underpinned by the British Council’s Quality and Compliance Assurance Framework (QCA)**, a rigorous global compliance process that helps ensure standards are met across our exam delivery network. The **QCA framework monitors and audits compliance against more than 100 standards across all areas of exam delivery**. It supports high standards of operational quality, exam security and integrity across the globe. These standards draw on awarding body requirements, British Council business rules and corporate policies, including:      • anti-bribery      • safeguarding      • health and safety      • data protection      • equality, diversity and inclusion The **standards are updated annually to reflect new developments**, including emerging risks and changes in candidate behaviour or technology use. For school leaders, this means greater confidence that exam delivery is being managed through a robust, proven and accountable quality framework ### Helping schools focus on what matters most Managing high-stakes school exams can place significant pressure on leadership teams and school administrators. **With the British Council as your partner, schools can reduce complexity, strengthen compliance and deliver exams with confidence.** Our role is to help make exam delivery secure, consistent and efficient, so schools can spend less time and resources on logistics and more time supporting student success. **Learn more about the Partner Schools programme** **Teacher training** Discover how the British Council supports teacher development in Partner Schools through in-person and online training, tailored pathways and certification. [ Explore Teacher Training ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/teacher-hub) **Action research grants** Explore funding, professional resources, and mentorship to conduct your own educational research. [ Apply for grants ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/partner-schools/action-research-grants) **Your World video** **competition** Participate in our global video competition where students showcase their creativity and perspectives. [ Join the competition ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/partner-schools/your-world-student-competition) **Schools Now!** **conference** Network with peers from around the world at our annual international conference devoted to sharing educational innovation and insights. [ Get conference updates ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/partner-schools/schools-now-conference) **Partner Schools** **Connect** Collaborate on joint classroom-based projects with teachers and students from our global Partner Schools community. [ Collaborate with educators ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/partner-schools/schools-connect) **Student safeguarding ** Prioritise student safety with resources and training on safeguarding that promote safe and inclusive learning environments. [ Access safeguarding support ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/partner-schools/safeguarding) ![accent-image](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/hubfs/HD%20-%20Assets/ISE/accent-image.svg) **Join our global community** If your school would like to offer international school qualifications with the support of the British Council, apply to become a Partner School today.  Our team is ready to support you with tailored resources, professional development, operational support delivering exams, and a community that spans across continents. [ Become a Partner School ](https://internationalschools.britishcouncil.org/contact-us)