As we approach the Winter exam diet, the SRC Advice Centre have put together a list of Top Tips to help you prepare for both online and in-person exams. If you have any specific questions regarding exams or academic policy have look at our Academic Advice pages or get in touch: advice@src.gla.ac.uk

Our advice is divided into 3 parts: General guidance, In-person Exams tips and Online exam advice.

 

1 - Prepare, prepare, prepare 

Study and put in the same amount of effort that you would put in whether you are sitting an in-person or online exam. Work out what are the intended learning outcomes (ILOs) for the exam, don’t just plan to repeat everything you know, but select what is relevant and show critical thinking. Use past papers, take notes, draft answer plans, sit practice exams, read all course notes and contact your lecturers if you are unsure about anything. 

SLD (Student Learning Development) have a large number of study skill guides so don’t forget have a look there if you're struggling. The SRC and clubs and societies on campus are also running Destress events which you can find a list of here. 

2 - Avoid plagiarism 

Whether you’re undertaking an in-person or online exam remember that you cannot just copy and paste text from a source into your exam script or use “close paraphrasing” as the rules on plagiarism still apply!  Even if you are undertaking an “open book” exam online you still need to reference any text you use from sources. If you are struggling with referencing or are unsure on how to avoid plagiarism, then contact your lecturer or SLD (Student Learning Development). 

3 - Unforeseen circumstances 

If you are unwell or you experience unforeseen adverse circumstances, then you might be able to submit a Good Cause claim via your MyCampus within 5 working days of the affected assessment. If the claim is accepted, this has the potential to allow you to re-sit the exam uncapped at a later date (or for final years of study, where a resit is not possible, the work may be removed from GPA calculations).

We have some more advice on the Good Cause process, including information on possible outcomes if your claim is accepted, on our website here. The University also have some helpful FAQ’s with further information and advice.

 

 

 

1 - Before the exam 

The venue for any in-person exams you have will be included in the exam timetable published by the University’s Registry. Make sure you have familiarised yourself with this information before the date of your exams. 

The campus room finder is also available to help you navigate buildings. 

Each exam venue will be clearly signposted outside the door. This notice will include details of exam title(s), timings, and desk number allocations. 

2 - Prohibited items in exams 

 

Please avoid taking any prohibited items into your examinations.  If you are caught with a prohibited item in an exam, – even if you had it with you by accident – it will result in a penalty which could cost you your degree.

When entering the hall, please check carefully to ensure you have no revision notes or other materials on your person or in your pockets. This includes any notes written on your body or other objects, such as pencil cases or dictionaries. 

You are not permitted to take a dictionary into an in-person exam with you.

You are not permitted to keep any electronic devices on your person during examinations. Electronic devices include:

 

• Mobile phones
• Tablets
• Smart watches
• Fitness trackers 
• Music players

 

Watches - The exam venue should have a visible clock so you can keep track of the time but if you want to take in your own watch the University's regulations require that this is a "basic watch". This essentially means that it must not be a smartwatch or fitness tracker and only displays the date and time.  It must not have the ability (whether set up to do so or not) to store, send or receive data of any kind, or to connect to a phone. You cannot wear the basic watch on your wrist and must place this on the desk in front of you for the duration of the exam.

Calculators – if you are allowed to take a calculator to the exam, make sure your calculator is the permitted kind. Make sure there are no notes written on the calculator itself, and take it out of its calculator case before the exam.

Water Bottles — only clear plastic water bottles without any labels will be allowed into examination venues. Please ensure that you remove any labels from the bottles before you enter the examination hall.

Check the University’s Instructions to Candidates on Conduct in Written Examinations to make sure you know the rules.

3 - Nerves are normal

If you are panicking about exams or re-sits and don’t think you have prepared properly, don’t suffer in silence. Speak to a member of staff on your course to see if there is any last minute help they can give you with tricky topics. Try and practise past exam questions if you can.

If you have a medical condition which is made worse by exam stress, then speak to your GP or counsellor and see if there is anything they can suggest to help you cope. Make sure you notify your Head of School if you have a medical problem affecting your exam performance. 

If you are registered with the Disability Service, you should contact them if you have any concerns about your reasonable adjustments

 

 

1 - A quiet place 

If you live with flatmates or family tell them in advance about your exam. Put a note up on your door so that you won’t be disturbed and if you need to use a shared area of your home such as the kitchen table then negotiate with your flatmates well in advance of your exam day about this. Also have everything around you that is needed for the exam, rather than having to go hunting for it during the exam. 

2 - Timing is key 

Your exam might be due over a 24 hour period or within a set time. Make sure you know the rules for each exam and follow these. The different types of online exam can be viewed here.

3 - The IT crowd 

If you are worried about your laptop or internet connection before your online exam, contact your School or the SRC Advice Centre to find out what support is available. Your School should also have emailed you to say what to do if you have a problem during the exam. For example, this might be to contact a specific member of staff or the IT Helpdesk, so make sure you know who to contact if things go wrong. If anything does go wrong, make sure you make this contact during the exam’

If you experience any technical or IT issues during an online exam it is vital that you contact the University's IT Helpdesk to report this. Even if the IT Helpdesk are unable to assist or resolve the issue for you, if you decide to submit a Good Cause claim for the exam the fact that you have a record of contacting them could be vital evidence to support your claim.

Remember to leave yourself enough time at the end of the online exam to upload your exam submission. The University can be very strict on accepting any submissions that are received after the exam time has ended and you can refer to the University Online Exam and Late Submission Policy here.