CCTV cameras could be used in examinations to detect cheating and prevent unfounded complaints against invigilators.
The new measures, suggested by the Examination Officers' Association (EOA), will be tested in a handful of exam centres over coming months.
The EOA is concerned that cheats are using increasingly high-tech methods to break exam regulations and that invigilators fear the rising number of complaints being levelled at them by students.
The examination boards are already using electronic methods to track their papers and check passages of text for plagiarised material. Now invigilators want to see some of that new technology filter down to the exam room.
Andrew Harland, Chief Executive of the EOA, said: "CCTV is extensively used in schools and colleges but not in exam rooms.
"We wondered whether it would be useful in an exam situation to protect the students and staff.
"There is no diktat about introducing this, we are simply exploring the idea of whether this would be an interesting solution."
Mr Harland pointed out that their is an increasing tendency for exam centres to use non-teaching staff as invigilators, meaning the candidates don't necessarily know the people overseeing their exams.
He added: "With the introduction of the diploma system in September we are going to get people moving in and out of schools and possibly sitting exams in centres that they've never been in before - how can these pupils be recognised?"
Mr Harland also described the "world of wonderful technology" increasingly employed by candidates to aid their cheating.
In 2006 the taking of unauthorised items into exam rooms was the most common offence committed. Nearly two-thirds of such cases involved mobile phones.
The new measures, suggested by the Examination Officers' Association (EOA), will be tested in a handful of exam centres over coming months.
The EOA is concerned that cheats are using increasingly high-tech methods to break exam regulations and that invigilators fear the rising number of complaints being levelled at them by students.
The examination boards are already using electronic methods to track their papers and check passages of text for plagiarised material. Now invigilators want to see some of that new technology filter down to the exam room.
Andrew Harland, Chief Executive of the EOA, said: "CCTV is extensively used in schools and colleges but not in exam rooms.
"We wondered whether it would be useful in an exam situation to protect the students and staff.
"There is no diktat about introducing this, we are simply exploring the idea of whether this would be an interesting solution."
Mr Harland pointed out that their is an increasing tendency for exam centres to use non-teaching staff as invigilators, meaning the candidates don't necessarily know the people overseeing their exams.
He added: "With the introduction of the diploma system in September we are going to get people moving in and out of schools and possibly sitting exams in centres that they've never been in before - how can these pupils be recognised?"
Mr Harland also described the "world of wonderful technology" increasingly employed by candidates to aid their cheating.
In 2006 the taking of unauthorised items into exam rooms was the most common offence committed. Nearly two-thirds of such cases involved mobile phones.