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Sitting Examinations

You should know some basic information and rules before sitting your first exam. Click on the bullet points below to read summaries of this information and rules.

Taking items into the exam

Exam Procedures and Conduct

Exam FAQ's

Extenuating circumstances

Assessment Regulations

 Taking items into the exam

Required Permitted Disallowed
  • University ID Card;
  • Stationery in a clear plastic bag/pencil case.
  • Wrist watch;
  • Non-programmable calculator;
  • Departmentally stamped dictionaries unless rubric states otherwise;
  • Non-fizzy drink.
  • Unauthorised material (including revision notes) or equipment relevant to the exam;
  • Coats and bags must be left in the designated area;
  • Mobile phone.

DO NOT bring valuables into your exam as the University is not liable for them – the designated area is not supervised. If you have any questions on the day please ask an invigilator.

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 Exam Procedures and Conduct

Do

Don’t

  • Check your venue and start time;
  • Arrive 20 minutes before the start of the exam;
  • Check the register for your name and seat number – speak to the Invigilation Supervisor immediately if you can’t see it;
  • Turn off your mobile phone and leave your coat and bag in the designated area;
  • Put your Student ID Card on your desk;
  • Complete your attendance slip;
  • Read the instructions on your answer books and complete the front;
  • Raise your hand if you need to speak to an invigilator.
  • Arrive late, you will not be given extra time;
  • Arrive 45 minutes after the exam has started, you will not be allowed to sit the exam;
  • Open the question paper or start writing in your answer book before the exam has started;
  • Talk to other students once you have entered the exam venue;
  • Continue writing once all students have been told to stop writing.

 

During the exam you must remain silent and seated and follow all instructions given to you by invigilators.  You cannot leave the exam room during the first 60 minutes or final 30 minutes of the exam, unless you are unwell.  If you feel unwell, raise your hand for an invigilator.

If the fire alarm goes off follow the Invigilation Supervisor’s instructions and remember that you are still under exam conditions.

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 Extenuating Circumstances - what are they?

You may occasionally experience personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement etc which can seriously disrupt your ability to study or affect your performance in assessment or examination.  These are known within the University as Extenuating Circumstances.

A leaflet, together with an Extenuating Circumstances Report form, is available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/regis/sfs/studentcases/extenuatingcircumstances.html and on the right hand side of this page. 

Very occasionally some students will need to report circumstances that occur in an examination venue.  In addition to completing an Extenuating Circumstances Report form, the matter should be reported to one of the invigilators who will then report the matter to the Chair of the Examining Board for appropriate action.

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 Assessment Regulations

If you want to know about all exam rules in detail you can read the Academic Regulations, 1.09 Assessment Regulations for Taught Programmes.


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