Sitting an exam

Take the time to make sure you know which exams are taking place when so you can plan your revision accordingly. It is your responsibility to know when your exams are taking place.

Take the time to check your timetable and seating lists posted on Surreylearn carefully and know where each of your exams is taking place.

If you are unsure of the room location, take the time ahead of your exam to find out where the room is and visit it if that helps. Do not leave it until the night before or on the day in case there are any issues.

Most exams are closed book which means you are not permitted to bring any additional materials into the exam with you.

Mobile phones or other electronic devices are not permitted in the exam room. If you do bring them with you they should be switched off and left in a bag at the front/back of the room.

Please take the time to read our instructions to candidates (PDF).

Before you leave your house/room, make sure you have everything you need to take your exam. This would include:

• Your student ID card
• Pens
• Pencils
• Water in a small, clear bottle
• Any other additional exam materials such as a non-programmable calculator.

Please bring spare pens and pencils with you as the exam venue does not supply these for you.

You are advised to wear layers as coats are not permitted to be worn during the exam and some venues can be colder than others.

If you do not have your ID card for your exam, you will need to download and print an exam slip using Surrey Support:

1. Visit Surrey Support
2. Select "I need a letter from the University" > "Autogenerate exam slip now"
3. Bring the printed slip to your exam. Please note, the slip must be printed - we cannot access digital slips on phones or other devices.

Please ensure you do this well in advance of your exam, including allowing time to access a printer if you need to, as you will not get the time back if this causes delays.

If you have any problems accessing your exam slip, please contact MySurrey Hive. If you would like to request a new card you can do so online ready for future exam periods.

If you are travelling to campus, make sure you allow plenty of time to get there.

If you are driving, check the traffic reports ahead of time and allow more time than usual for your journey. If you are travelling by public transport, check times of buses/trains and consider catching an earlier one to allow time for delays and cancellations.

Please make sure you go to the correct venue, in good time for the start of your exam.

You will need to allow time to:

• Turn your phone off and put in your bag
• Get your exam stationery, student ID card and water out
• Put away your bag (and coat).

Once in the exam venue you should remain silent.

Place your bag and coat as instructed by the invigilator, then make your way to your seat. Once seated, check you are sitting in front of the correct paper. If you do not think you are in front of the right paper please raise your hand and an invigilator will assist you. 

Please read the front cover of your exam paper to make sure that you understand the instructions and if you are permitted additional materials, that you have those on your desk.

Once the room is quiet the invigilator will read some instructions out to you. Please LISTEN carefully to what is being said.

Once the invigilator starts the exam you may begin. You should remain silent at all times. If you need to leave your seat for any reason, or have a question, please raise your hand and wait for the invigilator to come to you.

At the end of the exam, please make sure you have handed in your completed exam script. You should remain seated until the invigilator instructs you to leave.

Please note that in addition to our external invigilators, members of university support staff are invigilating some exams so you may see some staff that you recognise.

Take the time to make sure you know which exams are taking place when so you can plan your revision accordingly. It is your responsibility to know when your exams are taking place.

You will be taking your exam remotely so ensure you have access to a computer or laptop that you are comfortable using and has everything you need such as keyboard, mouse etc.

You may find your exam requires a lot of typing so if you are using a tablet without a keyboard you may want to consider an alternative.

Is your computer set up correctly for you? Do you know how to adjust the font size / screen size if you need to?

In advance of your first exam make sure you have a place where you can take the exam that provides an environment you are comfortable with. Take into account the following:

1. Lighting - is it sufficient for your needs?
2. Ventilation - can you open a window if you want to?
3. Temperature - is the room at the right temperature for you?
4. Do you have a comfortable workstation, is your chair adequate for your needs?
5. Noise - are you able to work somewhere that provides you with minimal distractions and noise?
6. Internet access. Do you have a stable internet connection?
7. Have you done everything you can to minimise your stress and anxiety and give yourself the best environment in which to work in?

In most cases you will have a 4-hour window in which to take your exam. Choose a start time that works for you and will allow you enough time to complete the paper without rushing.

Before you start your exam make sure you have to hand everything you need and that any other household members are aware you are about to begin and not to disturb you.

Switch your phone off/to silent so you are not distracted by alerts or unexpected phone calls.

• Exams may be open book exams but will be subject to the same academic scrutiny as any other assessments you have taken.
• Take a few minutes to read the instructions on the exam carefully and be clear in your mind what is being asked of you.
• During the exam, where possible, save your work frequently.

When you have completed your exam make sure you have submitted it correctly. If possible, save a copy to your computer.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have submitted the final version of your exam to the correct place, before the deadline.

Exams are scheduled to be available from 11am (GMT) for a period of 4 hours. Please check your online timetable as usual.

It is your responsibility to know when your exams are taking place and to ensure you will have access to a suitable electronic device with reliable internet connection on which you can take your exam.

Not knowing when your exam is taking place is not a reasonable excuse for missing your exam and getting another first attempt.

Exams will either be:

• 4 hours which means you have 4 hours to complete the exam and can spend as long on it as you like
• For a set period of time (usually two hours) within a period of 4 hours.

For those who normally receive additional time for writing or have rest breaks, as approved by the Disability and Neurodiversity team, these adjustments will be added to the duration of your exam where it is over a set period of time.

You need to check the SurreyLearn pages for each module you are taking.

The length of time you have for an exam may differ from module to module, so do not assume that because one of them is a 4 hour open book exam, they all will be.

If you are undertaking a 4 hour exam then no, you will not have extra time for writing or rest breaks as this type of exam gives you 4 hours to complete what is designed to be a two hour exam.

If you are taking a timed exam then yes, you will have your extra time.

If you normally have rest breaks then you will be given these in the form of extra time to allow you the opportunity to self manage. If you usually have a reader, scribe or other adjustments not mentioned, the Disability and Neuroinclusion team should have been in contact with you. If not, please email disability@surrey.ac.uk urgently to discuss your options.

You can handwrite your answers if you prefer but you will still need to upload them and submit via SurreyLearn.

If you need to submit your exam via Turnitin you are strongly advised to type the exam to ensure your document is accurately read through that system.

If you submit your exam late you will be given a mark of zero, non submission.

The late penalty you are used to for coursework does not apply, there is no option to submit late and receive a mark of anything other than zero and the need to resit at another opportunity.

If your exam is open book then yes, all these resources are available to you, but if you are taking a timed exam remember that your exam has been designed to be completed in a specific timeframe, so do not get caught up in looking for answers to the first question as you will run out of time.

Some exams are not open book, you need to check the exam thoroughly.

Your exam will be available over a 4 hour period starting at 11am (GMT). You can start the exam at any point from 11am (GMT) on the day the exam is timetabled but please make sure you allow enough time to complete and submit the exam. For example, your exam has been timetabled to start at 11am on 1 June and will be available until 11am on 2 June. It is a 2 hour timed exam and you have no additional time. 

You can start the exam at any time from 11am on 1 June to enable you to find a 2 hour window when you will be able to fully concentrate on the exam and at a time of day when you feel you will be able to perform at your best. Remember to allow yourself time to complete the exam. You can start it on 2 June at 9am if you want to but this will only just give you the 2 hours you need.

No, you cannot get someone to help you. If your exam is open book you will have access to your notes, textbooks and the internet, but the work you submit must be your own.

Contact your module tutor for assistance.

Contact your module tutor for assistance.

• If you are unable to access the assessment, contact the module lead immediately.
• If you have started the assessment and then experience technical issues, contact your Academic Hive Helpdesk/Assessment Team immediately to register the issue. (They will response during normal working hours)
• Please remember to continue trying to submit the assessment as the technical issue may be temporary.
• If you later require Extenuating Circumstances because you were unable to submit your assessment, your communication with the Academic Hive/Assessment Team will be required as part of your evidence, along with any screenshots you may have.
• Please familiarise yourself with the Extenuating Circumstances process (PDF) and please note the possible outcomes, should you submit an EC application. 

Save your work frequently to avoid losing it, or handwrite your answers and upload when you have finished.

If you are sitting a face to face exam on campus then you will need your student ID card or an exam ID slip from MySurrey Hive. Please see the instructions above in the guidelines for taking face-to-face exams on campus section under 'what to do if I don’t have my ID card.'

If you are sitting remotely then you do not need your ID card. By signing into SurreyLearn using your personal account (which should be confidential information) you are verifying your identity and that you have adhered to all academic integrity regulations.