Exams

This article is a summary about how exams work. You'll find the specific details for your exam on your module website under the Assessment tab. Make sure you read that information carefully as it will include all the instructions you need for your exam.

Overview of key information

• Exams are completed at home (remotely), or at another location of your choice, using your own computer, stationery and equipment.
• You’ll need reliable internet access.
• Most exams are 'open book' meaning you can use your module materials and other online resources during your exam, but be aware that you may not have time to make extensive use of these resources if you're taking a timed exam.
• There are modules using 'closed book' exams where the use of materials is not allowed. See Online invigilation for a list of modules using closed book exams.
• You'll also be able use a calculator where necessary. Specific information about which calculator you can use in your exam can be found on your module website.
• The date and time of your exam is published in the Assessment area of your module website, usually within the first six weeks of your module start date. We'll email you to let you know that the date and time have been published.
• There will be specified times for you to access the exam questions and submit your answers. This is called a ‘submission window’. The submission window will vary depending on your module. You'll find this information in the Assessment area of your module website before your exam submission date.
• You’ll submit your answers electronically through the online TMA/EMA service (also referred to as the eTMA system) or the iCME on your module website. The service that you need to use will be clearly noted on your module website.

Key exam rules

We ask you to be aware of the following rules.

You must complete your work independently and using your own words

You should not copy content directly from a source or present someone else’s work as your own. This is plagiarism, which is a type of academic misconduct. Software to detect plagiarism will be used to check your exam answers. Unless specifically stated, you won’t be required to provide a full reference list or bibliography as you would in a TMA or an EMA. You’ll still need to acknowledge where key ideas, concepts or quotes have come from, as would be expected in a face-to-face exam.

You must not discuss the content of the exam with your tutor or anyone else

Starting from the day of your exam and for two days following your submission deadline. This includes discussing the exam in forums and, on social media. You must not post questions or ask for answers on websites or services offering help with assignment answers or use any content available from such sites..

Types of exams

The type of exam you’ll have depends on the module you’re studying. There are three main types.

1. Exams with a 24-hour or 3-day submission window – the exam can be completed in 3 hours, but you can use as much of the 24-hour or 3-day window as you like.
2. Timed exams – the exam lasts for a specified number of hours (usually 3-4.5 hours). The start time is flexible, usually within a 24-hour period or between 8am and 8pm on a specified day.
3. Timed exams with a fixed start time must be completed and submitted within a specified number of hours and will begin at a fixed start time or within a fixed starting time period. 

Your module website will tell you what type of exam to expect. There are different submission instructions depending on your exam type so it’s worth reading the information on your module website very carefully.

Extra support 

The University will do its best to provide additional support if you need to make a reasonable adjustment based on disability, illness or additional requirements. Taking your exam at home can often reduce the need for adjustments as you’ll be using your own equipment. However, you may be able to receive reasonable adjustments such as extra time to help you complete your exam.

For more information on eligibility requirements and how to make a request see Exam arrangements for disabled students or Exam arrangements for carers or during pregnancy. If you’ve already told us you have a disability, your Student Support Team (SST) will contact you in advance.

If something goes wrong on the day

You have two options. You can submit the answers you've been able to undertake and tell us about anything that negatively affected your performance by submitting a special circumstances form. This could be something that happened on the day or in the three weeks leading up to the exam. The form must be received before midnight (00.00), UK local time, four calendar days after your submission deadline. You can only submit special circumstances if you have submitted some answers for your exam. For more information see Special circumstances.

Your other option is to not submit your answers and instead postpone the exam to a later date. This process is called discretionary postponement. It's only an option in exceptional circumstances, and you'll need to provide third-party supporting evidence to postpone. You must make the postponement request no later than 24 hours following the exam submission deadline. You can still postpone your exam if you have started working on it, but you must not have submitted any answers through the Online TMA/EMA service or have clicked the ‘submit all and finish’ button in the iCME on your module website. For more information on eligibility and how to make a request see Discretionary postponement.

If you experience technical difficulties during your exam, then there are different options depending on when you contact us during the submission window. It's important to contact us straight away. If you have a technical problem with submitting your exam answers, contact the Computing Helpdesk.

If you have any other problems or difficulties, contact your SST.