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Test proctor vs instructional assistant

The differences between test proctors and instructional assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a test proctor has an average salary of $41,915, which is higher than the $32,170 average annual salary of an instructional assistant.

The top three skills for a test proctor include customer service, standardized testing and test security. The most important skills for an instructional assistant are CPR, math, and instructional materials.

Test proctor vs instructional assistant overview

Test ProctorInstructional Assistant
Yearly salary$41,915$32,170
Hourly rate$20.15$15.47
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs18,21250,185
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a test proctor do?

A test proctor is primarily responsible for supervising tests and examinations. In learning institutions, a test proctor verifies the students' identification, record their information according to protocols, and instruct them which seats to take. It is also their responsibility to brief the students on the policies and guidelines, such as reminding them of the allotted time to answer the test and asking them to put away items such as gadgets and other things on their desks. Moreover, as a test proctor, it is essential to watch over the students as they take the tests to ensure no one is cheating.

What does an instructional assistant do?

An instructional assistant's role is to assist teachers and faculty members by performing various tasks. Their responsibilities will involve managing and monitoring the classroom environment, crafting visual aids and informative presentations, preparing laboratories and equipment, grading papers, recording data, and organizing schedules. An instructional assistant may also teach short courses when a teacher is not around, and provide tutorial sessions to small groups. Furthermore, they may also perform administrative tasks such as producing progress reports and necessary documentation, taking attendance, and responding to calls and correspondence.

Test proctor vs instructional assistant salary

Test proctors and instructional assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Test ProctorInstructional Assistant
Average salary$41,915$32,170
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $78,000Between $23,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSalem, OR
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyPace UniversityKern Community College District
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between test proctor and instructional assistant education

There are a few differences between a test proctor and an instructional assistant in terms of educational background:

Test ProctorInstructional Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Test proctor vs instructional assistant demographics

Here are the differences between test proctors' and instructional assistants' demographics:

Test ProctorInstructional Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 34.6% Female, 65.4%Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 8.2% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between test proctor and instructional assistant duties and responsibilities

Test proctor example responsibilities.

  • Manage incidents of unacceptable identification or authorization-to-test documentation according to Prometric and the clients expectations
  • Assist adults with disabilities in completing their GED certification.
  • Administer reading, math and writing assessment tests to new students.
  • Instruct students on material need in order to earn their GED.
  • Provide students with the proper materials or supplementary work in order to improve their math and reading skills.
  • Administer industry standard testing to nuclear employees, troubleshoot computer system errors, resolve data mismatch issues, other tasks as assigned
  • Show more

Instructional assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist teachers in the classroom environment for Pre-K-6 students with class materials, photocopying, correcting papers, clerical duties etc.
  • Substitute for Pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Assist lead teacher in a certify Montessori program.
  • Assist students in grades from kindergarten to high school.
  • Administer tests to determine if student continues in ESOL program.
  • Provide training skills to students to administer CPR safely and accurately.
  • Show more

Test proctor vs instructional assistant skills

Common test proctor skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Standardized Testing, 11%
  • Test Security, 8%
  • Computer Lab, 8%
  • Check-In, 7%
  • Computer Software, 6%
Common instructional assistant skills
  • CPR, 17%
  • Math, 8%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Behavioral Issues, 7%
  • Instructional Support, 5%

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