Exam FAQs and guidance

To access your current exam timetable, access MyTimetable using your IT login and password. Click on the 'add timetable' button. Choose Exam from the list. You will find your exam details on your timetable, including whether it is online or on- campus. Your timetable will also be available via the MyExeter app. 

If you have an on-campus exam, the location of each exam will be shown on your exam timetable. It is important to check your timetable carefully before the day of your exam so that you know where you need to be and can arrive in good time. 

You must bring your University ID Card or another valid form of photo identification, such as a passport or driving licence, to every exam for checking by invigilators. 

If you have lost your University ID Card, you can obtain a replacement from the Student Information Desk in the Forum or via the University's online store. 

If you do not bring an approved form of identification, you will be required to complete an Identity Check Form, and your details will be checked against your registration records before your identity can be confirmed. 

Regulations for the use of Electronic Calculators during On-Campus Exams

1. Authorised Calculators: Only authorised, silent, cordless, non-programmable calculators are allowed in exams where the question paper permits their use. These calculators may contain simple memory functions for calculation purposes.

2. Approval Process:
   • Seek approval for your calculator from a representative of your Faculty prior to your exams. This can be done in person by visiting your Faculty Hub.
   • Approved calculators will receive a tamper-evident label for identification.
   • In emergency situations, calculators may be borrowed from the SID Desk located in the Forum during the main examination periods and mid-term examination periods only. Please ensure you bring your University ID card.
3. Candidate Responsibilities:
   • Bring your approved calculator to the exam room.
   • Ensure you have a spare battery available.
4. Calculator Conditions:
   • All calculators must be silent.
   • Remove any covers and place them under the desk before the exam starts.
5. Prohibited Devices: The use of any other calculator or electronic device capable of retrieving stored numerical or textual information is strictly forbidden, except in Open Book exams, or where your exam states that a programmable calculator (pink sticker) is permitted.
6. Consequences of Non-Compliance:
   • Failure to comply may result in confiscation of your non-approved calculator.
   • In extreme cases, candidates may be excluded from the exam.
   • Do not assume that a temporary replacement calculator will be provided.

Mobile phones, smart watches, exercise or fitness trackers, and any other device capable of sending or receiving messages are not permitted in the exam hall. This includes devices on or near your person. 

You must not have any unauthorised equipment that could give you an unfair advantage in an examination. This includes items on or near your person. 

Possession of unauthorised materials or electronic devices is considered a strict liability offence. This means that if an unauthorised item is found at your desk, you may be deemed to have committed an offence regardless of whether you intended to use it to gain an advantage. 

Any item considered to be causing a disturbance to other candidates may be confiscated by an invigilator. 

Exceptions may be made for approved medical devices or equipment where this has been agreed in advance with the Exams Office. 

A noise disturbance or other breach of the Examination Regulations may be treated as a disciplinary offence. Following an invigilator's report to the Student Cases Office, a minimum fine of £50 may be applied for a first offence. 

Valuables should NOT be brought to the exam hall – no responsibility will be taken for their safekeeping. 

Before entering the exam hall, make sure all prohibited items are switched off and stored as instructed by exam staff. 

If you are experiencing difficulties that may affect your studies, wellbeing or assessments, a range of support services are available to help you. 

Support may be available through: 

• Your department or Info Point. 
• Wellbeing Services. 
• The Students' Guild (Exeter) or Students' Union (Cornwall). 
• Your department's Pastoral Mentor, where available. Pastoral Mentors can provide support and help connect you with the appropriate University services. 
• The Study Skills team, which offer resources, workshops, drop-ins and online support to help you manage your workload and prepare for assessments. 

The option to sit examinations abroad is only available during the August reassessment period. Full information is available on the University's overseas examinations page: referred-deferred-overseas 

If your exam is scheduled at any other time of year, you would normally be expected to attend any on-campus examination in person at the University. 

If your exam is a reassessment and the original exam was delivered online, your reassessment will usually be delivered in the same format. However, you should await the release of your examination timetable to confirm the arrangements and should not assume that you will be able to complete it from overseas. 

As individual circumstances can vary, you should contact your College Hub for advice about your specific situation and any options that may be available. 

Contact your Hub 

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to schedule all examinations on separate days due to the wide range of modules offered by the University and the need to accommodate different programme and module combinations. 

If you have more than one exam scheduled on the same day, it is important to plan your time in advance. Make sure you understand the format and timing of each exam and allow sufficient time for breaks, rest periods and submission requirements between assessments. 

If you have concerns about your exam timetable, please contact your Info Point or Hub for advice. 

This keeps the explanation positive, acknowledges the issue, and gives students a clear action without implying that having multiple exams in one day is unusual or an error. 

We understand that, after the exam timetable is published, you may find that an exam clashes with an existing commitment. However, exam dates and times are finalised as part of the exam scheduling process and it is not normally possible to offer alternative exam dates or times for individual students. 

If you believe you may be unable to attend an exam, you should contact your Student Information Point or Hub as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances and seek advice. 

Contact your Hub 

Please note that exam timetables are final once published, and requests for alternative sittings cannot normally be accommodated. 

Dictionaries are not permitted in exams unless the examination paper specifically states otherwise. 

International and Erasmus students may be allowed to use a foreign language to English dictionary, but only if they have received written authorisation from their Faculty using the appropriate blue form. A copy of this authorisation must be brought to the exam. 

Please note: 

• Electronic dictionaries are not permitted in any exam. 
• It is your responsibility to ensure that your dictionary does not contain notes, annotations, or other additions. 
• If notes or unauthorised material are found in a dictionary, further action may be taken. 
• No dictionaries are permitted in any examinations set by the Business School, regardless of authorisation. 

If you are unsure whether you may use a dictionary in your exam, please check your exam instructions or contact your Faculty before the exam date. 

If you have an approved Individual Learning Plan (ILP), any examination adjustments will be applied in accordance with the recommendations recorded in your ILP. Adjustments may include additional time, rest breaks, computer use, alternative venues, or other support arrangements.

You should arrive at your exam venue at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. When planning your journey, allow extra time for potential delays, such as traffic or adverse weather conditions. 

If you arrive during the first 30 minutes of the exam, you will normally be allowed to enter the exam hall. However, you will not be given any additional time to complete your exam. 

If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, or if you are not well enough to begin the exam, you should report to your Info Point or Hub. Staff will record your arrival and advise you on the appropriate mitigation process. 

If severe weather prevents you from travelling to your exam, you should contact your Info Point or Hub and the Exams Office as soon as possible for advice on mitigation procedures. 

If you are unable to travel to your exam due to severe weather or other adverse conditions, you should contact both the Exams Office and your Student Information Point or Hub as soon as possible. 

They will advise you on the relevant mitigation procedures and any next steps available based on your individual circumstances. 

If weather conditions are affecting your ability to attend an exam, please make contact as soon as possible rather than waiting until after the scheduled start time. 

Main examination venues 

Specific Provision (SP) venues 

If you are sitting your examination in a Specific Provision venue, you may leave the venue at any time. However, once you have left the venue, you will not be permitted to return. 

Toilet breaks in Specific Provision venues 

You may leave a Specific Provision venue at any time to use the toilet facilities. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator before leaving. You must take your University ID card with you and may be subject to additional checks when leaving and returning to the examination room. 

If you feel ill during an exam, you should inform an invigilator immediately. Similarly, any other form of distraction, e.g. excessive noise causing an adverse effect on your performance, should also be reported at the time of occurrence 

If you are unable to finish your exam and then wish to mitigate your exam, you will subsequently be asked to complete a mitigation form by your Faculty, who may require record of this prior notification as part of the mitigation process.  

In the event of a fire alarm or other emergency necessitating the evacuation of the exam room, the following procedure is to be followed:   

1. On instruction from the principal invigilator, all students will cease writing and leave their answer booklets on the desk.  
2. Evacuate the exam hall as quickly as possible. Do not stop to collect bags/coats, etc.  
3. Leave the building and assemble at the appropriate assembly point (follow the instructions of the principal invigilators).  
4. Do not return to the exam room to collect personal items until advised by the invigilators that it is safe to do so.  
5. You will be sent an email within 24 hours confirming the incident, and this will be followed by an official email notification giving details of the decision relating to the incident, providing further arrangements if required for that exam.  

You must follow all examination regulations and instructions given by invigilators throughout your exam. 

Examples of exam misconduct include: 

• Taking unauthorised books, notes, mobile phones, electronic devices or other materials into the exam room. 
• Giving assistance to, or receiving assistance from, another candidate. 
• Impersonating another candidate. 
• Behaving in a way that disrupts or disadvantages other candidates. 
• Opening the exam paper before being instructed to do so. 

Exam misconduct may result in penalties under the University's academic misconduct procedures. In serious cases, the Principal Invigilator may stop your exam and require you to leave the exam room. 

If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, you should check before entering the exam hall and follow all instructions given by invigilators.

Your exam results are usually made available through MyExeter. 

For further information about your results, or if you have questions about your marks, you should contact your Info Point or Hub. The Exams Office is not able to provide detailed information about examination results. 

You can access your results through MyExeter and find further information about results from your Info Point or Hub. 

Yes. You can apply for mitigation if unexpected circumstances, such as illness or significant personal difficulties, affect your ability to complete an assessment. 

For information about eligibility, deadlines and how to submit an application, please see the Mitigation Guidance page. 

Students have the right to appeal to the Senate of the University in relation to examination results and the consequences of academic failure. Information about the grounds for appeal, eligibility criteria and the appeals process can be found in the University's academic appeals procedures. 

For full details, please refer to the University's Student Academic Appeals Procedures: 

View the Academic Appeals Procedures 

Before submitting an appeal, you should read the guidance carefully to ensure you understand whether your circumstances fall within the permitted grounds for appeal. 

At the end of each examination and assessment period, results are reviewed and scrutinised at both module level and individual student level through the University's Assessment Progression and Awarding Committees (APACs). These committees are responsible for considering assessment outcomes and confirming progression and award decisions. 

You can find more information about Assessment Progression and Awarding Committees (APACs) on the University's webpages - Assessment Progression and Awarding Committees (APACs).  

Completed exam scripts and answer booklets are sent to your Student Information Point or Hub for marking and administration. If you would like information about viewing your script or have any questions about the marking process, please contact your Hub for advice and guidance. 

Contact your Student Information Point or Hub 

If you are looking for revision materials, you can access the University's archive of past examination papers: 

View past examination papers 

Please note that the availability of completed exam scripts is subject to University processes and guidance from your department or Hub. 

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly for a referred or deferred assessment, please contact your Student Information Point or Hub. They can review your fee charge, confirm whether it is correct, and arrange for any necessary amendments. 

• Information about referred and deferred assessments and fees 
• Contact your Hub 

Your Hub is best placed to investigate any concerns about assessment-related charges on your student record. 

Exams ELE - Access Option 1, 2 and 4 exam papers and complete ELE Online Quizzes. 

ELE - Access course materials, in-class tests, mid-term exams and oral examinations. 

Watch the Introduction to Exams ELE video for guidance on accessing Exams ELE, downloading exam papers & submitting your work. 

All option 1 and 2 exams will be offered in a 24 hour period – either of no fixed duration, or a fixed duration. This will allow you to complete the exams at a suitable time, wherever you may be. The 24 hour period exists to allow you to engage with the assessment no matter in which time zone you are living. There is no expectation that these assessments should take longer than ‘normal’ exams.  

Option 4 exams must be started at the time shown on your timetable (please note these times are in BST, so we recommend using a time zone converter if you are outside the UK.  

• Email: examshelp@exeter.ac.uk 
  Phone: +44 (0) 1392 726800 
• Availability 
• During the main exam periods (January, May and August), the Assessment Helpdesk is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Saturday. 
• During live mid-term assessments, the Assessment Helpdesk is available Monday to Friday. 
• The Helpdesk email account is only monitored during live examination periods. 

If you are unable to access your exam, experience technical difficulties, lose your internet connection, or submit the wrong file, contact the Assessment Helpdesk as soon as possible. 

Option 1 

Your work will be considered late if it is submitted more than 24 hours after the exam paper release time. 

Option 2 

For Option 2 exams, work must be submitted within both: 

• The total fixed duration available for the assessment; and 
• The 24-hour window following the exam paper release. 

The total fixed duration consists of: 

1. The exam duration specified on the paper. 
2. The technical upload time. 
3. Any additional time approved through an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). 

You should ensure that you start the exam in sufficient time to complete and submit it within both limits. 

If you exceed the total fixed duration 

If you submit within your total fixed duration but after the end of the 24-hour window 

Option 4 

For Option 4 exams, work submitted after the total fixed duration available to complete and submit the assessment will be considered late. 

The total fixed duration consists of: 

1. The exam duration specified on the paper. 
2. The technical upload time. 
3. Any additional time approved through an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). 

Where possible, you should complete your exam using a computer or laptop unless you have a specific reason not to. Some modules may require you to handwrite part of your exam. In these cases, you should follow any guidance provided by your discipline. 

If you handwrite all or part of your exam, you should scan or photograph your work and include it in a single document with your typed answers before converting the document to PDF for submission. Make sure that: 

• Your work is clearly visible, flat and well lit. 
• All pages are in focus and easy to read. 
• Pages are arranged in the correct order. 
• Question numbers are clearly labelled. 

You cannot submit individual image files through Exams ELE. Any photographs or scans must be inserted into your submission document before it is uploaded. 

If an answer sheet is provided, you may choose to handwrite your answers on separate paper, but you must clearly indicate which question each answer relates to. 

It is your responsibility to ensure that any handwritten work is clearly legible. If examiners are unable to read your script, you may be asked to provide a typed transcript. This must be an exact copy of your original work. Any alterations or additions may be treated as suspected academic misconduct. 

If you plan to handwrite any part of your assessment, you should test your method of scanning, photographing and uploading your work before the exam.

Whether you can use Generative AI (GenAI) tools in an assessment depends on the AI category specified in your assessment brief. 

The University uses four categories: 

• AI-Integrated – use of GenAI is required as part of the assessment and linked to the module's Intended Learning Outcomes. 
• AI-Assisted – you may use GenAI tools to support your work, but only in the ways permitted by the assessment brief. 
• AI-Minimal – GenAI may only be used for limited purposes, such as checking spelling and grammar. 
• AI-Prohibited – GenAI tools must not be used because their use would prevent achievement of the Intended Learning Outcomes. 

If you use AI in an AI-Assisted or AI-Integrated assessment, you must include details of the AI tools, prompts and links to outputs used as part of your references. You should also keep copies of any AI outputs, as you may be asked to provide them later. 

Direct copying of AI-generated content without appropriate acknowledgement may be treated as plagiarism or academic misconduct. 

When submitting an assessment, you will be required to confirm that you have complied with the University's academic conduct requirements and any AI-related instructions provided in the assessment brief. 

For detailed guidance on the ethical and responsible use of AI in assessments, please see the University's Generative AI guidance: 

• Student AI guidance 
• Guidance on referencing AI-generated content 

Always check your assessment brief carefully, as it will explain whether AI use is permitted and any restrictions that apply. 

PDF Exam 

Once you have completed your online exam, upload your work through the same ELE Coursework activity where you accessed the exam paper. 

Before submitting: 

• If your work consists of multiple files (for example, photographs of handwritten answers), combine them into a single document. 
• PDF format is recommended, as it is often easier to upload and review than multiple files. 
• Ensure your file size is below 100MB. 
• Check that all pages are included and can be read clearly before submission. 

To submit your work: 

1. Open the relevant Coursework activity in ELE. 
2. Scroll to the submission area and select Upload your submission. 
3. Upload your file by dragging and dropping it into the upload box or selecting it from your device. 
4. Agree to the submission terms and select Submit. 
5. Check that your submission status shows the correct date and time. 

After submission, open the uploaded file to confirm that it displays correctly. You can edit and resubmit your work as many times as needed before the submission deadline.  

ETQ Exam 

To submit an ELE Timed Quiz, select Finish attempt and then Submit all and finish. You can usually review and amend your answers before final submission, provided you are still within your allocated time window. If you reach the end of your allotted time, the quiz will automatically submit your saved answers. 

If you realise that you have submitted the wrong file, or your file is corrupted, you should submit the correct file as soon as possible. You may be able to resubmit your work to the Exams ELE submission point while the exam submission window remains open. 

If the replacement file is submitted after the deadline, the applicable late penalty will be applied based on the time the correct file is submitted. 

If you need assistance, contact the Assessment Helpdesk as soon as possible. 

If you submitted your work to the wrong location within a University of Exeter system (for example, the wrong assessment submission link), you must provide details of where the submission can be found within the relevant timeframe. If the submission can be accessed, it will normally be marked without penalty. If you do not provide this information, or the submission cannot be accessed, any applicable late penalties may be applied when the work is submitted to the correct location. 

No. If your assessment is an online exam (Options 1, 2 or 4), you do not need to submit your paper separately to Turnitin. 

Once you submit your exam, your work will be automatically uploaded to Turnitin for a plagiarism and originality check. 

There is no additional Turnitin submission required for online exam papers. 

To ensure exams are conducted fairly and efficiently, all candidates must follow the instructions below. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in disciplinary action or academic misconduct procedures. 

Before the Exam 

• You must not talk or otherwise disturb other candidates in the exam hall, either before, during, or after the exam. 
• You must not sit an exam in the name of another candidate. 
• You must not have in your possession any unauthorised materials, including notes, electronic devices, mobile phones, smart watches, exercise or fitness trackers, or any other equipment that could provide an unfair advantage. This applies whether the item is in your hand, pocket, clothing, bag, or otherwise on or near your person. 
• Possession of any unauthorised material or electronic device is a strict liability offence. This means that if such an item is found on or near your person at your desk, you will be considered to have breached the regulations regardless of whether you intended to use it or gain an advantage. 
• You must not take anything to your desk except the items specifically permitted on the front of the exam paper. 
• Coats, hats, bags, scarves and other personal belongings must be left in the designated area as instructed by invigilators. 
• Correction fluid and correction tape are not permitted in the exam hall. Any mistakes should be crossed out neatly and rewritten. 

Finding Your Seat 

For January and May examinations held in the main exam halls: 

1. Check the floor plan displayed outside the venue (Sports Hall, Great Hall, Tennis Centre or The Sanctuary) to identify the seating area for your examination. For other venues, enter when directed and locate your assigned desk. 
2. Locate the desk displaying your name and candidate number. Desk cards will correspond to the colour shown on the floor plan and are normally arranged alphabetically within each module area. 
3. If you have difficulty finding your seat, ask an invigilator for assistance. You must not sit at a desk that does not display your candidate card. 
4. Once seated, place your University Card on the desk where it can be easily checked by an invigilator. 
5. For referred and deferred examinations, seating arrangements may be organised by exam duration, module code and family name, with different colours indicating different exam durations. 

Starting the Exam 

• You must not attempt to look at the exam paper or begin writing in the answer booklet before the exam starts, other than completing the cover sheet of the answer booklet where instructed. 
• The question paper must not be turned over until the Principal Invigilator instructs candidates to begin. A penalty may be imposed for candidates found looking at the paper before they are permitted to do so. 
• When instructed to start, carefully read all instructions and the rubric on the question paper before beginning your answers. 

During the Exam 

• You must listen carefully to and follow all instructions given by invigilators. 
• You must not communicate with any other candidate or attempt to view another candidate's work. 
• If you have a question about the content of the exam paper, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator. The invigilator will liaise with the Exams Office to ensure your query is addressed. 
• Candidates are responsible for reading and following the rubric of the examination. 
• Where the rubric instructs you to answer a specific number of questions, only the number of answers specified will be marked unless the rubric states otherwise. 
• You should clearly indicate on the front of your script which questions you wish to be marked. 
• Any answers that should not be marked should be clearly crossed through. 
• If it is unclear which answers are intended for marking, answers will be marked in chronological order until the required number of responses has been reached. Any subsequent answers will be disregarded. 

Scripts and Legibility 

• It is your responsibility to ensure that your script is clearly legible. 
• If an examiner is unable to read your script, you may be required to produce a typed transcript. 
• Any transcript must be a true and accurate copy of the original script. 
• Any additions, alterations, or embellishments made during transcription may be treated as suspected academic misconduct. 
• Where a candidate is unable to produce a transcript themselves, a transcription may be arranged. Any associated costs will normally be the responsibility of the candidate. 

Answer Booklets and Exam Materials

• You will find answer booklets and any other materials required for your examination on your desk.
• You should read the instructions on the answer booklet cover carefully and complete all requested details, including your registration number and candidate number for each booklet used.
• The top corner should be completed, signed and fully sealed. Failure to complete the corner flap will not invalidate any misconduct proceedings, if required.
• Rough work can be written on the inside back cover of each booklet used.

End of the Exam 

• You must stop writing immediately when instructed by the Principal Invigilator. 
• Before your script is collected, ensure that: 
  • All required details have been completed on the answer booklet or cover sheet. 
  • All additional materials, such as graph paper, are securely fastened using the tag provided. 
  • Any rough work that should be submitted has been attached to the back of the answer booklet. 
• Failure to attach materials correctly may result in work not being submitted for marking. 
• You must remain seated until your script has been collected and an invigilator has given permission for candidates to leave. 
• Once released, you should leave the venue promptly and quietly. 
• Out of consideration for other candidates who may still be sitting examinations, you should not create noise or disruption in or around the exam venue. 
• Do not begin talking until you are well away from the exam hall. 

Taking Materials Out of the Exam Room 

• You must not remove any examination materials, whether used or unused, from the exam room.
• You must not take your script, rough work, answer booklet, answer sheets, or any other examination materials out of the exam hall. 

Cheating in a University assessment is a very serious academic offence, which may lead ultimately to expulsion from the University.   Cheating can take one of a number of forms, including: 

• (i) The use of unauthorised books, notes, electronic aids or other materials in an exam 
• (ii) Obtaining an exam paper ahead of its authorised release 
• (iii) Acting dishonestly in any way including fabrication of data, whether before, during or after an exam or other assessment so as to either obtain or offer to others an unfair advantage in that exam or assessment 
• (iv) Collusion, i.e. the representation of another's work or ideas as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement or referencing, where the owner of  the work knows of the situation and both work towards the deceit of a third party 
• (v) Plagiarism, i.e. the act of representing another's work or ideas as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement or referencing.   There are three main types of plagiarism' which could occur within all modes of assessment (including exams) 
• (a) Direct copying of text from a book, article, fellow student's essay, handout, thesis, web page or other source without proper acknowledgement 
• (b) Claiming individual ideas derived from a book, article etc. as one's own, and incorporating them into one's work without acknowledging the source of these ideas 
• (c) Overly depending on the work of one or more others without proper acknowledgement of the source, by constructing an essay, project etc. by extracting large sections of the text from another source, and merely linking these together with a few of one's own sentences 

(Faculties may wish to extend these definitions for specific subject areas and provide students with examples as appropriate.   The correct referencing system for making quotations explicit and acknowledging sources should be available through personal tutors or supervisors, specific tutorial sessions in Faculties, and Faculties' student and research handbooks.) 
 
Contravention of the above Regulations will be treated under the Procedures for Handling Cases of Suspected Cheating, including Plagiarism, in University Assessment which can be found on the University Website. 

A candidate may be liable to such penalties as the Senate may determine for: 

• taking into the exam room, or possessing whilst in that room, any books, notes or other material or mobile device which has not been authorised 
• aiding or attempting to aid another candidate, or obtaining or attempting to obtain aid from another candidate 
• passing yourself off as another candidate 
• such repeated behaviour as may in the view of the Principal Invigilator prejudice the performance of other candidates. 

It should be noted that the Principal Invigilator is empowered to discontinue the exam of a candidate suspected of misconduct and to expel that candidate from the exam room. 

All cases of suspected misconduct will be reported at once by the Principal Invigilator to the Student Cases Office's representative. Any notes or similar unauthorised material introduced into the exam room by the candidate must be handed over to the Principal Invigilator who will attach them to the report.

Academic honesty is fundamental to the values promoted by the University and no student should be allowed to obtain for themselves, or for someone else, an unfair advantage as a result of academic dishonesty - whether this is by plagiarism, collusion with another, cheating, or other means. Students are expected to do their own work and abide by the University’s Code of Academic Conduct and Practice. In the process of submitting any examination paper, students will be asked to declare their acknowledgement of, and compliance with, this code.  

These assessments will be subject to our normal processes for the detection of plagiarism, such as the use of plagiarism detection software. We are aware, however, that online exams present the potential for an increase in academic misconduct, particularly around authorship issues.