Exam Rules

What you need to do and take to your exam

You must find out before the exam when and where it will be held, and what you may and may not bring into the examination room. You will not be admitted into an exam if you do not have your Student ID card, or if you bring materials or equipment which are not allowed.

What time do exams start?

Examinations commence at 8.30am and 2.45pm. Your personalised examination timetable on PlatformWeb shows the location, date and time you have been allocated to sit your examinations.

Deferred examinations commence at 9am and 2.30 pm.

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Arriving and starting my exam

It is advisable to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start time of your exam.  Once the exam has been in progress for thirty (30) minutes after the commencement of writing time, you will not be permitted entry.

You must comply with all directions given by an examination supervisor. This includes not speaking to or communicating with another student. Behaviour which disrupts an exam may result in your removal from the exam venue.

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

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What if I come to the wrong campus by accident?

Unfortunately we won’t be able to accommodate you if you don’t follow your personalised timetable. This means that you will be re-directed to the correct venue – even if it’s at another campus. If you miss your exam because of this, 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 Identification card?

You must present your UWS Student Identification (ID) card for entry to the exam venue. Your Student ID must be displayed on your desk during the exam.

If you have lost your Student ID card, please go to the campus Student Centre for a replacement. Student Centres are open from 8.15am on examination days. Alternatively you may produce other photo ID (e.g.  driver's licence) and once the Student Centre have confirmed your identity and enrolment they will produce a confirmation of your enrolment and eligibility to sit the exam prior to the exam.

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What can I take into the exam venue?

You must provide your own equipment and writing instruments such as calculators, pens, pencils, rulers and erasers as they will not be supplied.  Writing materials should be contained only in a clear plastic bag - NO PENCIL CASES.

You may take other material specified by your Unit Coordinator or listed on the exam paper.

Any purses, wallets and mobile phones and electronic pagers must be placed on the floor under your desk upon entry to the exam venue. 

In order to minimise the risk of "Heat Illness" or "Heat Stress", which may be experienced on days of extreme heat you are advised to take the following precautions:

1. Bring iced water in clear containers to the exam venue (BUT you may not bring food).
2. Wear loose-fitting light clothing or loosen clothing before entering the exam venue.

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What can't I take into the exam venue?

All bags are to be left outside the venue unless the exam supervisor states otherwise.  The University accepts no responsibility for personal items left outside the exam venue.   Please make alternative arrangements for the storage of your valuables or do not bring them with you.

No textbooks or other reference material is permitted into the examination venue unless specified on the exam paper or the examination is identified as an open book exam.  Students should consult their Unit Coordinator for clarification on permitted items for open book exams.

You may not take a motorcycle or bicycle helmet or wear a cap in the exam room. 

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When can I leave the exam venue?

You will not be permitted to leave an exam venue during the first thirty (30) minutes of writing time or the last ten (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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Can I use a bilingual dictionary?

If you wish to use a bilingual dictionary you must complete a Bilingual Dictionary Application form and submit it to a Student Centre for approval. In order for you to be eligible to use a bilingual dictionary you must have indicated that English is not your first language at the time of your initial enrolment.

You will need to do this prior to the exam period as you must produce this authorised form at the exam venue.

The dictionary must be printed, and not in electronic format. The dictionary must be word-to-word translation only and must not include any English word definitions.

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Related Links

• Student Administration Forms