Exam rules

What time do exams start?

Exams start at 8.30am, 1.45pm and 5.30pm.

Deferred exams start at 8.30am, 1.45pm and 5.30pm.

*Students with Academic Integration Plans may have other starting times.

Where can I find my exam timetable?

Your personalised exam timetable in PlatformWeb shows the location, date and time you have been allocated to sit your exams. You must ensure that you check your timetable regularly up to the exam as times and locations may change.

What if I go to the wrong campus by accident?

Unfortunately we won’t be able to accommodate you if you don’t follow your personalised timetable. If you are not on the exam attendance list, you will be directed to Student Central where you can check your exam timetable in PlatformWeb using the available computers. If you miss your exam because you went to the wrong exam venue, you will not be permitted to sit an alternative exam and you may fail your unit.

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Do I need my student ID card?

You must present your UWS student ID card for entry to the exam venue. You will not be allowed to enter the exam venue without your UWS student ID card. If you have lost your card, you may be admitted to your exam on presentation of a temporary ID card, which is only valid on the day of your exam.

To obtain your temporary ID card, you must pay a fee of $15 and produce photo ID (e.g. driver license) so Student Central can confirm your identity and enrolment. Student Central do not accept payments, so an encumbrance will be placed on your record that will be removed once payment (via iPay) is made.

Please note that Student Central will be open from 8.00am on exam days.

You must leave your student ID card displayed on your desk for the duration of the exam.

What can I take into the exam venue?

You must provide your own equipment and writing instruments such as pens, pencils, rulers and erasers as they will not be supplied. Writing materials should be contained only in a clear plastic bag. Pencil cases are not permitted.

You may also bring any other materials as specified on your exam paper. You can contact your Unit Coordinator for details of what material is specified on the exam paper. Please remember that if you bring anything that is not listed on the exam paper, it will be taken off you until the completion of your exam.

Any purses or wallets must be placed in your bag or placed on your desk visible to the exam supervisor at all times.

Mobile phones must be switched off (not to 'silent/vibrate' mode). Any purses, wallets and mobile phones must be placed on the desk visible to the exam supervisor at all times. See below for the consequences of breaching the mobile phone exam rule.

You may bring water in clear containers to the exam venue (but you may not bring food).

In order to minimise the impact of extreme weather, you are advised to take the following precautions:

  1. Wear loose fitting light clothing or loosen clothing before entering the exam venue (to minimise the risk of 'heat illness' or 'heat stress', which may be experienced on days of extreme heat) 
  2. In colder weather, make sure you have appropriate warm clothing

Please note: if you have any special requirements you think might breach any exam rule, you must contact the Assessment and Graduation Unit to organise written permission, before the exam period starts.

Where can I leave my bag?

Bags will be stored in each exam venue as directed by the exam supervisors. If no space is available in the exam venue, you will be asked to leave your bag outside. If this is the case, it is important to note that UWS takes no responsibility for items left outside exam venues.

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What can't I take into the exam venue?

The following items are not allowed to be taken into exam venues:

  • Textbooks and other reference materials are not allowed unless specified on the exam paper or the exam is identified as an open book exam. You should speak to your Unit Coordinator to clarify permitted items for exams
  • Rough working paper and notes of any kind (including those written on rulers, erasers and calculator covers). ‘Rough’ work should be done on the reverse side of the pages in the answer booklet during the exam
  • Any form of electronic device. This includes (but is not limited to) iPods, Mp3 players, iPads, tablets, PDAs, handheld computers or any electronic device capable of communication (other than mobile phones). See below for consequences of breaching the electronic device exam rule
  • Caps, hats and motorcycle or bicycle helmets. These items must be left in/with your bag or as directed by the exam supervisor. If you have any special requirements that may breach this exam rule, you must contact the Assessment and Graduation Unit on (02) 4736 0600 or by email to exams_progression@uws.edu.au before the exam period for written permission

What if I accidently bring an unauthorised item into the exam venue?

There will be an announcement at the beginning of each exam about unauthorised items. You can surrender any of these items at that time without penalty.

What happens if my mobile phone or other electronic device is confiscated?

All confiscated items will be returned to you on presentation of your Student ID card at the end of the exam.

The exam supervisors will also complete an incident report. The Assessment and Graduation Manager will review the incident report and determine if further action, in the form of academic misconduct will be taken.

Mobile phones

Please note: if you have a mobile phone confiscated during an exam, you will be sent a fine.

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Arriving and starting my exam

You should get to the exam venue at least 20 minutes before the start of your exam. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after the beginning of your exam, you will not be allowed into the exam venue.

You must comply with all directions given by the exam supervisor. This includes not speaking or communicating with another student.

Behaviour which disrupts an exam may result in your removal from the exam.

You are required to sit in the seat allocated to you by the exam supervisor.

Reading time

All exams include reading time in the total time allowed. No separate reading time will be allocated.

Reading the exam paper before you start answering questions allows you to:

  • compose yourself
  • read the examination paper
  • plan your answers

You should read the instructions and questions carefully before you begin writing.

You are allowed to begin writing straight away if you wish.

The exam supervisor will let you know of any changes to reading time allocations.

When can I leave the exam venue?

You will not be permitted to leave an exam venue during the first 30 minutes of writing time or the last 10 minutes unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Exam papers must not be removed from the venue (unless the exam paper states it can be removed). Answer booklets must not be removed from the exam venue.

Should misconduct or irregular practices be suspected by the exam supervisor an Alleged Academic Misconduct statement will be lodged. The incident may then be dealt with under the provisions of the Student Misconduct policy.

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