Moderators are the quality guardians of assessment. They verify that assessments were fair, valid and consistent before results are certified. Because every accredited programme needs moderation, good moderators are always in demand.
Prerequisite: be a registered assessor first
You generally cannot moderate assessments you could not conduct. Most structures require you to be a registered assessor in the field before you moderate it, so complete that step first.
Complete the Moderator unit standard (US 115759)
The standard is "Conduct moderation of outcomes-based assessments" (US 115759, NQF 6, 10 credits). It covers planning moderation, sampling assessment decisions, reviewing instruments and reporting findings.
Register against specific qualifications
As with assessors, you register with the relevant SETA/QCTO structure against the qualifications you will moderate. Keep your registration certificates and scope handy — providers will ask for them.
Costs and turnaround
The moderator course typically costs R3 000–R5 500. Moderation itself is often quoted as a flat fee per programme or per learner PoE sampled. Fast, clear moderation reports are what earn repeat work — see how to write a moderation report.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I moderate and assess the same learners?
No. To keep quality assurance independent, the moderator must be a different person from the assessor for the same learners.
Is moderation good money?
Per hour it can be excellent, especially on retainer for a provider that runs regular programmes. Reliability and turnaround matter more than volume.