In areas experiencing conflict, you would be forgiven for assuming that assessments no longer take place.  Yet, many individuals living through these circumstances still want to take their exams and become qualified.  They are determined not to let years of hard work go to waste, knowing that delays in qualifying could impact their future careers and opportunities for stability. 

At VICTVS, we are committed to supporting these aspirations by delivering exams internationally, including in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Palestine, and parts of the Middle East. 

But organising assessments in these areas requires careful planning and vigilance, especially around safety and security. So, how do we navigate these complex challenges and make sure exams can still take place? 

Safety and security 

Safety and security concerns are the biggest thing we need to consider at VICTVS when carrying out exams in areas experiencing war or conflict.  This includes not only the safety of the exam candidates themselves, but the safety of our VICTVS Global Network members who are working in test centres and invigilate the exams.  We need to know that these individuals can work safely without putting themselves in danger.  

To do this, when we hear about any form of conflict in regions where we host exams and where our invigilators are based, we immediately reach out to our teams to make sure they are safe.  If test centre exams are scheduled, we discuss whether our staff are still comfortable or able to travel to the exam centre.  If not, we are often able to switch them to invigilating remote sessions using our V3 platform so that they can still do their job. This is important, as many of our invigilators rely on income from invigilating — especially in conflict regions where other work may be hard to come by.             

For remote exams, if any of our scheduled invigilators are based in a region deemed unsafe, they can travel to a safe zone and invigilate from there if they are comfortable to do so.  This is important as it allows them to continue their work and make an income during this time.  If an invigilator is unable to work, we can switch them with another invigilator, ensuring that the candidate can still take their exam.  

We can also add additional security measures to exams if the awarding organisation decides they are necessary.  This can include introducing multiple ID checks on exam centre staff and invigilators entering a test centre.  We have seen this before, where only invigilators from a specific region are allowed to enter an exam centre during wartime; while this can be frustrating for those who do not meet the requirements, it is an understandable precaution when working in volatile regions where the risk of attack by foreign parties is high.  

Importantly, if a region is deemed too unsafe, the awarding body will reschedule exams so that candidates and invigilators are not put at risk. When exams do go ahead, we regularly check in with our teams to make sure they are safe and happy to continue doing their jobs.  

Infrastructural and connection concerns  

Internet connectivity and power outages are a common symptom of conflict, whether it be from the physical bombing of critical infrastructure or from governments deliberately restricting internet access.  

During remote exams, if our invigilators or exam candidates experience any technical issues, we go through troubleshooting with them to make sure that the issue is outside of their control.  Once this has been established, we can replace invigilators whose connection cannot be restored so that the candidate they have been paired with can go ahead and take their exam. 

In the case of candidates whose connectivity has been impacted by conflict or government restrictions, their exams are rescheduled.  

When it comes to test centres losing power during a conflict, we do everything we can to ensure that exams can still go ahead.  In the past, this has included hooking up exam centres to alternative power sources, such as nearby buildings — a collaborative effort between both VICTVS HQ staff and exam centre staff working on the ground.  

Once connectivity has been confirmed and no other technical issues have been found, the exam can go ahead as normal.  Invigilators and test centre staff must follow regulations, monitor candidates closely, and report suspected malpractice, just like they would in any other exam.  Candidates are expected to follow the rules and take their assessment fairly, and our test centre staff and invigilators are there to make sure they do. 

The strength of the VICTVS Global Network 

The size and strength of our VICTVS Global Network gives us incredible insight into what is going on in almost every corner of the globe.  Our direct, on the ground connections mean that we can receive real-time updates on conflicts, war, and other political disruption worldwide.  This enables us to gain valuable insights into what is happening in any given place at any given time — insights that are often more reliable than global news coverage. 

Because we have over 5,000 VICTVS Global Network members across the globe, we are able to support candidates in 180+ countries, from highly populated cities to more remote regions.  This means that if an invigilator cannot work a remote exam because of an ongoing conflict, we are easily able to replace them with another invigilator so that they can still take their exam safely and securely.  Similarly, with test centre exams, if an invigilator is unable to attend, our vast network can usually replace them, either with someone local or someone who is happy to travel to the venue. 

By going the extra mile and travelling to test centres far from home, or by helping fix connectivity or power issues at a test centre, our VICTVS Global Network help ensure that exams can happen in even the most unlikely circumstances.  Their dedication really shines during these moments.  

Why is it so important to make sure these exams go ahead? 

While it might not seem like a big deal, candidates living in areas experiencing war or conflict still want to take their exams and get qualified.  Completing an assessment, getting qualified, and meeting a career or educational milestone is perhaps even more significant to those deeply impacted by war who are in need of hope for their future.  We are still hosting exams in Ukraine and Ramallah in the West Bank, and these are key examples of how even those living in the most turbulent and war-torn regions still want to get their qualifications.  

Exams are also important to our invigilators.  Many individuals living in conflict zones are no longer able to do the job they did before the war, and invigilation can provide a valuable income. This is the case for many members of our VICTVS Global Network, such as one professor in Ukraine who now invigilates for VICTVS to support his family. 

Ultimately, it is important that we continue to deliver exams whenever possible, so that those living in tough circumstances still have the opportunity to get qualified and look forward to their future careers.  This optimism and hope is something everyone deserves — especially those facing adversity daily.