Examination Assistants and Quality Assurers wanted by the Gauteng Department of Education. Apply for 1,537 opportunities before 8 September 2026
When thousands of matric examination scripts begin moving from examination venues to marking centres, a major operation takes place behind the scenes. Every script must be received, counted, controlled, distributed, checked and eventually archived. The Gauteng Department of Education is now recruiting people to help with that process during the 2026 examination period.
The Department has advertised 1,537 opportunities under its Examinations Management directorate. These consist of 277 Examination Assistant positions at district and head offices and 1,260 Quality Assurer positions at marking centres across Gauteng.
These opportunities may attract a large number of students and unemployed graduates, but applicants should read the requirements carefully before applying. The Department has also made it clear that certain groups of people will not be considered.
Applications officially open on 26 August 2026 and close on 8 September 2026.
Gauteng Examination Jobs at a Glance
| Position | Number of Opportunities | Where You May Work |
|---|---|---|
| Examination Assistant | 277 | Head Office and Gauteng education districts |
| Quality Assurer | 1,260 | Designated marking centres across Gauteng |
| Directorate | Examinations Management | Gauteng Department of Education |
| Opening Date | 26 August 2026 | Applications before this date will not be considered |
| Closing Date | 8 September 2026 | Apply before the deadline |
| Payment | PAM rates | Exact amount not provided in the information supplied |
In total, there are 1,537 positions available.
What Is the Difference Between an Examination Assistant and a Quality Assurer?
Although both roles are connected to the examination process, they involve different responsibilities.
An Examination Assistant works with the movement and control of examination scripts. The work may take place at a Gauteng Department of Education district office or at Head Office. A large part of the job involves receiving scripts, checking them, scanning them, packing them correctly and preparing them for dispatch to marking venues.
A Quality Assurer, on the other hand, works at a marking centre and focuses more closely on the control and checking of scripts while marking is taking place. This includes checking whether scripts and marksheets are correctly controlled, ensuring that marks have been added correctly and identifying discrepancies that need to be corrected by the marking teams.
These are therefore not ordinary office jobs where the workload follows a predictable daily routine. The Department specifically states that the work is linked to tight deadlines, meaning successful applicants must be able to work accurately while under pressure.
Examination Assistant Positions: 277 Opportunities Across Gauteng
Applicants interested in becoming Examination Assistants must select and quote the correct reference number for the area where they want to apply.
The available references include:
- HO26 – Head Office
- GN26 – Gauteng North
- GW26 – Gauteng West
- TN26 – Tshwane North
- TS26 – Tshwane South
- GE26 – Gauteng East
- EN26 – Ekurhuleni North
- SE26 – Sedibeng East
- SW26 – Sedibeng West
- JE26 – Johannesburg East
- JN26 – Johannesburg North
- JS26 – Johannesburg South
- JC26 – Johannesburg Central
- JW26 – Johannesburg West
- TW26 – Tshwane West
- ES26 – Ekurhuleni South
Applicants should pay particular attention to this requirement. The Gauteng Provincial Government states that the specific reference number must be quoted, and failure to do so will result in the application not being processed.
What Will Examination Assistants Do?
The role involves handling examination scripts carefully and ensuring that the correct scripts are sent to the correct marking venues.
Some of the responsibilities include:
- Receiving, checking and controlling examination scripts.
- Scanning and packing scripts for marking.
- Checking that the correct number of scripts and marksheets have been received for each batch, subject, paper and examination session.
- Identifying and addressing discrepancies.
- Preparing bags of scripts with the required control documentation and correct colour-coded labels.
- Creating files for scripts that must be dispatched to marking centres.
- Assisting with the dispatch of scripts.
- Receiving, controlling and archiving marked scripts for future retrieval.
Accuracy matters in this environment. A mistake involving the number, destination or control of examination scripts can create delays in a process that operates against strict deadlines.
Quality Assurer Positions: 1,260 Opportunities at Marking Centres
The Department is also recruiting 1,260 Quality Assurers for marking centres.
The positions are linked to several schools that will serve as marking centres, including Alberton High School, Allen Glen High School, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Hoërskool President, Nokuthula Special School, Bracken High School, Bryanston High School, Florida High School, Parktown Boys’ High School, Queens High School, Rand Girls High School, Ferndale High School, Greenside High School, Mondeor High School and other listed marking centres.
Applicants should use the appropriate reference number linked to their chosen marking centre when submitting an application.
What Does a Quality Assurer Do?
Quality Assurers help ensure that examination scripts are properly controlled throughout the marking process.
Their duties include:
- Receiving, controlling and distributing scripts to marking teams.
- Checking that the correct number of scripts and marksheets are available for each batch.
- Assisting with the control, distribution and scanning of scripts.
- Checking that all questions have been marked.
- Ensuring that marks have been added correctly.
- Checking that totals are correctly transferred to the front cover of the script and to the marksheet.
- Identifying discrepancies and ensuring that corrections are made.
- Reconciling and arranging scripts by subject and paper for indexed archival after marking.
This role requires concentration and strong attention to numerical detail. Applicants should not underestimate the responsibility attached to checking examination marks and scripts.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, applicants must have an appropriate recognised academic qualification such as a:
- Senior Certificate;
- National Senior Certificate; or
- National Senior Certificate Vocational.
The opportunity is open to:
- Registered tertiary students;
- Unemployed people with one or more tertiary qualifications; and
- Unemployed graduates.
Applicants must also have strong numerical ability. Mathematics or Accounting must have been a compulsory subject, according to the requirements provided.
Students who are in their second year of tertiary study or higher may have an advantage. Previous experience in examination administration, whether as an Examination Assistant at a marking centre or in an office-based environment, should also be indicated.
The application questions further ask applicants whether they have passed Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and Accounting at matric or tertiary level, as well as their highest year of tertiary study and previous experience.
Who Is Not Allowed to Apply?
This is one of the most important sections of the advertisement.
The Department states that the following people may not apply and will not be considered:
- People who will be writing the National Senior Certificate, Senior Certificate or AET examinations in 2026.
- People who have taken the VSP.
- People who are employed elsewhere.
If any of these conditions apply to you, submitting an application may simply lead to disappointment later.
Those who do not meet the minimum requirements can explore other Grade 12 job opportunities
How Much Will Examination Assistants and Quality Assurers Be Paid?
The package is listed as “as per applicable Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM) rates.”
The information supplied does not state the exact amount that successful applicants will receive, and applicants should therefore not assume a particular salary, stipend or daily rate.
If you want to confirm the current payment rate before applying, it is best to check the official Gauteng Department of Education application platform or contact the enquiry details provided in the advertisement.
Is This a Permanent Job?
The advertisement is connected to the 2026 examination and marking process and does not describe these positions as permanent posts. Based on the duties and examination-focused nature of the work, applicants should understand that these opportunities are linked to the examination administration process rather than being presented as permanent Gauteng Department of Education employment.
The exact period of appointment or working duration is not specified in the information provided, so applicants should confirm this detail through the official listing before applying.
Important Dates and What Happens After Applying
Applications open on 26 August 2026. The Department clearly states that applications submitted before the opening date will not be considered.
The closing date is 8 September 2026.
Because the specific reference number is compulsory, applicants should double-check that they have selected the correct reference before submitting their application.
Due to the expected number of applications, the Department says applications will be electronically acknowledged.
Applicants who do not receive any response by 1 December 2026 should accept that their application was unsuccessful.
For enquiries, applicants can contact:
Mr Harry Culling
Telephone: 010 601 8082
Email: ExamAssistants@gauteng.gov.za
Before You Submit Your Application
These positions could be particularly relevant for tertiary students and unemployed graduates looking for experience in a high-pressure administrative environment. However, the large number of available posts should not lead applicants to rush through the application.
Take time to confirm that you are eligible, that you are not employed elsewhere, that you will not be writing one of the excluded examinations in 2026 and that you have quoted the correct reference number for your chosen office, district or marking centre.
Most importantly, apply before 8 September 2026 and keep a record of your application. If you need clarification about the payment rate, exact working period or any other detail not stated in the advertisement, check the official application platform or contact the Gauteng Department of Education directly using the enquiry details above.
With 1,537 opportunities available across Gauteng, this recruitment drive offers a chance to become part of the process that helps move, control and verify one of the province’s most important annual education operations—the examination and marking process.