Exam preparation and support

Prepare for your exams to ensure you maximise your success and discover the services and support available to you during the exam period.

All of our key exam and assessment resources can be found under our Exams and Assessment pages. Here you’ll find information about exam timetables and venues, as well as more tips for exam preparation and success.

Don't Worry Surrey: Exam Support Hub

The Don't Worry Surrey Exam Support Hub is your ultimate one-stop shop for everything you need during the revision and exam period.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to study or need additional support, we’ve got you covered. You can also find events, budget-friendly food and drink offers, and expert advice all in one place.

Don't Worry Surrey: Exam Support Hub

Academic Advice and Development 

To discuss quick queries about your work, you can visit one of the Learning Development Adviser or Learning Development Librarians during a drop-in session. For more information on when these take place, please visit your SurreyLearn module: my Learning Development at Surrey.

For more detailed queries, you can book an appointment which can take place online or in-person. To book an appointment, please visit the booking page. 

Academic integrity

Academic integrity refers to the University’s policy on suspected academic misconduct. The University takes academic misconduct very seriously, and if you are found to have given yourself an unfair advantage in your assessments, e.g. through plagiarising work or collusion, then you may be asked to attend a meeting with the University to discuss your work which can lead to penalties being applied.

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Communicating with others
  • Copying from the script of another student
  • Introducing unauthorized notes
  • Failing to acknowledge the work of others

A student who engages in academic misconduct is subject to the penalties set out in full in the Regulations for Academic Integrity. Penalties include receiving a mark of zero for the unit of assessment or module, or termination of registration.

Extenuating circumstances

If you feel that your academic performance in your upcoming exams will be impacted by circumstances outside your control, you may need to consider applying for extenuating circumstances (ECs).

The Students’ Union academic advice team are available through the summer exam period to support students with their EC applications. You can email all your questions and queries to ussu.advice@surrey.ac.uk and they will always get back to you within 2 working days (this excludes weekends and bank holidays).

Exam adjustments

The disability and neuroinclusion team provides a wide range of support and advice.

If you are a student with a disability or specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia) you may require additional support and examination adjustments. This may also apply to you if you are pregnant or have a short-term incapacity such as a broken arm.

To find out how to apply and deadlines for applications, visit the exam adjustments page.

Study spaces to help you prepare

It's vital to find a study space that works for you and helps you get into the right mindset during your exam preparations. 

If you have online exams, you should also start to think about where you will sit these and create the perfect environment to minimise disruption and maximise your focus.

Our favourite revision spots

Everyone has their go-to study spots on campus, but if you are looking for a change of scenery then here are some of our favourites:

  • MySurrey Dot Spaces - located in various places, there are five MySurrey Dot spaces to choose from. These are dedicated spaces for studying, revising and group work. Find out more about MySurrey Dot Spaces on our study spaces page.
  • MySurrey Hive – flexible seating, booths with TV screens, and bookable rooms – all available 7 days a week between 8:30am – 11:30pm.
  • IT labs in Austin Pearce – you can find them all via the live availability viewer. There are 100s of PCs available across campus and they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Our study spaces page may also be useful as a reminder of the facilities that we have available all year round.

Extra study spaces during examination periods

There are plenty of spaces on campus to revise. On our study space page you’ll find our favourite revision spots as well as tips for sitting your online exams.

The perfect online exam setup

It’s important to have a space that you feel comfortable in to sit your exam, with lots of privacy and peace and quiet:

  • Put your phone on do not disturb to stop endless WhatsApp and TikTok notifications distracting you. Plus, communicating with your peers during online exams could put you at risk of collusion.
  • Have a TV in your room? Turn it off!
  • Grab a bottle of fresh water before you start – hydration is key to keeping your mind fresh and focused.
  • Tidy your desk or workspace. If you have some nice plants around then consider moving them next to your laptop to create your zen zone.
  • Consider putting a note on your door to let everyone know that you are in an exam and need some space (and peace and quiet).

Check out our other top tips for sitting online exams.

If home or your room is not the ideal place to sit an exam, then there are also bookable private options for you on campus:

  • Individual study rooms in the Library - all our group study rooms can be booked on an individual basis for up to six hours. Rooms can be booked online and availability is shown two weeks in advance.
  • Silent study spaces in the Library which can be used on a first come first served basis. There’s even priority silent spaces for final year students, and these can also be booked in advance!
  • Other spaces in the Library – if you can’t find the space that you want online then please contact the Library team.
  • Top tip - when making your room booking, and an hour before your exam starts so that you have time to get your exam setup spot on!

Something to think about: whilst individual study spaces in the Library are quite quiet, we do not enforce silence in these areas and you can expect some background noise in these areas. Silent study spaces are our quietest space but even here we can’t guarantee absolute silence. This is the same for bookable rooms in MySurrey Hive. 

Learning Development team

The Learning Development team (including Academic Skills and Development and Maths and Statistics Advice) run drop-in sessions for any academic queries such as referencing, revision and exam techniques, essay writing, mathematics or statistical queries.

All drop-ins take place in the Learning Development Zone on Level 1 of the Library.

Maths and Statistics Advice appointments 

For any mathematical or short statistical queries, you can visit one of the Maths and Statistics Advice drop-ins. Please see the SurreyLearn module: my Learning Development at Surrey for more information on the days and times the team are running these drop-ins.

You can also book and appointment for any longer, more detailed queries, such as statistical analysis questions. To book an appointment, please visit the booking page.

Past exam papers

Past exam papers are available online. 

Past exam papers may not be available where they would be of limited use, for example if the assessment has changed, or it is inherent to the module that there would be little distinction between each paper. If you are unable to locate past papers please contact your module leader.

Support for your wellbeing

Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you without judgement or pressure. You can call them on +44 (0)1483 505555 (local rates apply) or 116 123 (free any time, any phone). For more information on their services visit the Guildford Samaritans website.

For a summary of all of the support resources available to you beyond the exam period, visit our support services page. 

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