Specific provisions for exams
Exam Adjustments: Ensuring Fair Access to Assessments
Exam adjustments are modifications to the way exams are conducted, designed to provide equitable access for students who may face challenges due to a disability, neurodivergence, or health condition. These adjustments aim to remove potential barriers and ensure that all students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills under appropriate conditions.
If you have previously received exam adjustments at school, college, or another university, please be aware that these do not automatically carry over to your studies with us. You must formally request adjustments to ensure they are applied to your exams.
Setting Up Exam Adjustments
If you require exam adjustments due to a disability, neurodivergence, or health condition, you should complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) Request Form via the Wellbeing Webpages.
Once your request and supporting evidence have been received, a Wellbeing adviser will review your information and create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Your ILP may include exam adjustments such as extra time, computer use or a specific exam setting, alongside other study support where appropriate.
If further information is required, the adviser will contact you directly. You are also encouraged to contact the Wellbeing Team if you would like to discuss your support needs.
Exam Adjustment Deadlines
To ensure exam adjustments can be put in place, your ILP must be confirmed by the relevant deadline below:
| Assessment Period | Registration Date |
|---|---|
| January Exams and Mid-Term 1 Exams | Monday 2 November 2026 |
| May Exams and Mid-Term 2 Exams | Monday 8 February 2027 |
| Mid-Term 3 Exams | Tuesday 4 May 2027 |
| August Referred and Deferred Exams | Thursday 24 June 2027 |
For mid-term assessments taking place before the relevant ILP deadline, exam adjustment requests must be received by the Exams Team at least one week before the assessment.
Please note that there is high demand for Wellbeing appointments. We strongly recommend requesting support as early as possible. Adjustments requested after the deadlines above cannot be guaranteed for upcoming examinations.
Conduct in the Exam Hall
- You must not talk or otherwise disturb other candidates in the Exam Hall, either before, during or after your exam.
- You must not do any of the following:
* Sit an exam in the name of another candidate.
* Have in your possession any unauthorised material, including notes, electronic devices (including smart watches, exercise and fitness trackers) and mobile phones, this includes on or near your person unless stipulated on your ILP.
* Have in your possession any unauthorised equipment which might give you an unfair advantage, this includes on or near your person. - Possession of any unauthorised material/electronic device is breaking the rules and is therefore treated as a strict liability offence. This means that where a student is found to have taken unauthorised materials or an electronic device to their desk, the student is guilty of an offence, irrespective of that student’s intent either to deceive or gain advantage.
- You must not take anything to your desk except those things that are permitted on the front of your exam paper.
- You must leave all coats, hats, bags scarves etc. in the designated space as instructed by the invigilators.
- You must not take any correction fluid or correction tape into the Exam Hall. Any corrections to the text on your exam answer sheets must be made by crossing out the error and rewriting.
- You must not attempt to look at the exam papers or start to write anything on the exam paper or the answer booklet, other than to complete the cover sheet of the answer booklet, before the exam has started.
- You must stop writing immediately at the end of the exam as soon as instructed.
- You must not try to communicate with any other candidate during the exam or try to look at any other candidate’s work during the exam.
- You must listen carefully and follow instructions given to you by invigilators.
- You must not take your script or any rough workings out of the exam hall.
- At the end of the exam you should remain in your seat, until your script has been collected and the Invigilators then release you.
- If your ILP states that you have Marking Guidelines your sticker should have already been applied to your answer sheet, if it is not, please inform an invigilator at the end of your exam. If you forget, you must go to your Hub to ask for the sticker to be applied to your exam within 24 hours, otherwise marking guidelines will not be considered.
- If you go to the toilet, please take your desk card with you and report to the Invigilator situated outside the room. (There may be a delay if another student is already absent.) You will be required to empty your pockets and show your arms. Failure to do this when asked will result in an official Incident Report being written. SP students are able to go to the toilet at any point during their examination.
- If you have been allocated timed breaks, you can take your break at any time within the exam period. If you want to take a break you should indicate to the invigilator that this is the case. You can leave the room or remain at your desk. If you choose to remain you must sit away from the desk. Indicate to the invigilator when you are ready to resume the exam.
- If you experience any issues during your exam such as technical difficulties, feeling unwell, or needing clarification you must inform the invigilator immediately at the time the problem occurs. It is important that we are made aware of any concerns as they happen so that we can provide support and, where appropriate, take action to ensure the integrity and fairness of your assessment. Please do not wait until after the exam to report a problem, as this may limit the options available to help you.
- Students sitting SP examinations may leave the examination venue at any time; however, once they have exited the venue, re-entry will not be permitted.
Important information
- You must ensure that you are on time for your exam, and ensure that you bring your Unicard or other photo ID.
- Should you inadvertently bring a mobile phone with you to the exam hall, it must be switched off and left at the back of the hall or handed to invigilation staff. Any device sounding or causing a noise will result in a minimum £50 fine being applied, for the disturbance to other candidates. Please ensure you have no pre-set alarms. Changing the phone settings to silent is not an option.
- You should carefully read the instructions on the front of your exam paper and answer booklet, and understand what you are required to do.
- Should you wish to go to the bathroom, or leave early, then please raise your hand and seek permission from an Invigilator.
It is very important that you read all of the following information carefully as the key points given above are just an outline of the exams process; it offers help and guidance on the whole exams process and hopefully answers any questions you might have.
Please note: Students are only permitted to use a completely clear case or clear plastic bag for their pens, pencils, etc in exam halls.
Jackets, coats, bags, brief cases, handbags and non essential headwear i.e. hats/caps/scarves, etc. are to be left in the designated area at the rear of the exam hall, together with books and notes not required for "open note", "open book" or "restricted note" exams.
Extra Time for Specific Provision Students
Some students are entitled to additional time in their exams as part of their ILP arrangements. This extra time is calculated based on the standard duration of the exam and is applied consistently across all scheduled exam times. To ensure clarity, the table below outlines how extra time is allocated depending on the start time of the exam.
| If the standard duration of your exam is: | And your ILP has rest breaks in exams, add: | And your ILP says 00:15 per hour extra time at the end, add: | Or your ILP says 00:30 per hour extra time at the end, add: | And your ILP says you have a scribe or a reader, add: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mins | +4 mins | +5 mins | +10 mins | +3 mins |
| 30 mins | +8 mins | +10 mins | +15 mins | +5 mins |
| 40 mins | +10 mins | +10 mins | +20 mins | +7 mins |
| 45 mins | +12 mins | +15 mins | +25 mins | +8 mins |
| 50 mins | +13 mins | +15 mins | +25 mins | +9 mins |
| 1 hour | +15 mins | +15 mins | +30 mins | +10 mins |
| 1 hour 15 mins | +19 mins | +20 mins | +40 mins | +13 mins |
| 1 hour 30 mins | +23 mins | +25 mins | +45 mins | +15 mins |
| 1 hour 45 mins | +27 mins | +30 mins | +55 mins | +18 mins |
| 2 hours | +30 mins | +30 mins | +1 hour | +20 mins |
| 2 hours 15 mins | +34 mins | +35 mins | +1 hour 10 mins | +23 mins |
| 2 hours 30 mins | +38 mins | +40 mins | +1 hour 15 mins | +25 mins |
| 2 hours 45 mins | +42 mins | +45 mins | +1 hour 25 mins | +28 mins |
| 3 hours | +45 mins | +45 mins | +1 hour 30 mins | +30 mins |
Please note this table is for guidance only, and exact timings may be subject to rounding.
You will be emailed within seven working days of the timetable release with confirmation of your total writing time.
You can find details of your ILP via the Student Record System.
Example
Standard duration of exam
1 hour 30 minutes
ILP states
00:15 per hour extra time at the end
Rest breaks in exams
Time to add to your exam
25 minutes (extra time at the end)
23 minutes (rest breaks)
New total exam duration
2 hours and 18 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes + 25 minutes + 23 minutes)
Depending on individual needs, exam adjustments may include:
| Adjustment | Information |
|---|---|
| Extra Time | Extends your exam duration by the amount specified in your ILP. For example, 0.15 per hour equates to 25% extra time, while 0.30 per hour equates to 50% extra time. This adjustment is applied automatically and the extended exam duration will be shown on your exam timetable. You may leave the exam before the full allocation has been used. |
| Rest Breaks | Allows you to pause your exam. During a rest break you must not continue writing. To start or end a rest break, notify the invigilator who will record the time used. Typically, 15 minutes per hour is allocated and may be used in multiple shorter breaks. Rest breaks can be used at your desk, for movement outside a shared exam room, to access fresh air under supervision, or to use toilet facilities. Unused rest-break time does not need to be taken. This additional time will not appear on your exam timetable and will instead be communicated separately by email. |
| Computer Use | You will be allocated a room where a computer or laptop is available. You may also handwrite your answers by requesting an answer booklet from the invigilator. If using both handwritten and computer-based responses, clearly label answers so they correspond with the correct exam questions. |
| Assistive Technology Software | With the exception of text-to-speech or screen-masking software such as Read & Write Gold or ClaroRead, you are expected to bring your own device if you need to use specialist assistive software during the exam. |
| Additional Ergonomic Equipment | Equipment such as keyboards, mice, or gel wrist rests should normally be brought with you to the exam. Arrive in good time to ensure that everything can be set up to meet your requirements before the exam begins. |
| Adjustable Chairs | Adjustable chairs will be provided. Please arrive early to adjust the chair to your preferred settings before the examination starts. |
| Maximum Room Occupancy |
The maximum number of students you can expect in each Specific Provision room type is: SPCS / SPML – up to 30 students. |
| Earplugs / Ear Defenders | If specified within your ILP, please bring your own earplugs or ear defenders. No other audio equipment is permitted. |
| Medication or Medical Monitoring Devices | Medication and mobile-phone-based medical monitoring devices should be kept on your desk. Where possible, phones should be set to vibrate to minimise disruption. If this is not possible and is documented within your ILP, a separate room will be allocated. |
| Music or White Noise |
If your ILP includes music or white noise as an examination adjustment, an audio player will be provided and you will be allocated a separate exam room. Audio cannot be played through headphones, and only music without lyrics is permitted. |
| Room Codes | These room codes are used on your exam timetables to identify Specific Provision exam venues and arrangements.
MAIN - Main examination venue. Students without Specific Provision arrangements will usually sit their examinations here. SPML - Specific Provision Main Location. Shared examination venue for up to 30 students. SPCS - Specific Provision Computer Suite. Shared examination venue for up to 30 students with computer or laptop use. SPSR - Specific Provision Separate Room. You will sit your examination in a room on your own. SPSRC - Specific Provision Separate Room (Computer User). You will sit your examination in a room on your own with computer or laptop use. SPSSR - Specific Provision Smaller Shared Room. You will sit your examination in a smaller shared room with up to 6 students. If your ILP includes the SMALL-15 adjustment, this may increase to a maximum of 15 students. SPSSRC - Specific Provision Smaller Shared Room (Computer User). You will sit your examination in a smaller shared room with up to 6 students and computer or laptop use. If your ILP includes the SMALL-15 adjustment, this may increase to a maximum of 15 students. SPSW - Specific Provision Single Workstation. You will have an individual workstation within a shared examination venue. SPSWC - Specific Provision Single Workstation (Computer User). You will have an individual workstation within a shared examination venue with computer or laptop use. |
AccessAbility and Wellbeing Services are responsible for reviewing supporting evidence and determining appropriate adjustments. For information about evidence requirements, please visit: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/devon/support/disability/evidence/
If you develop an injury or medical condition after the exam adjustment deadline that may affect your ability to sit an exam, you should contact Accessability/Wellbeing Services as soon as possible and provide appropriate medical evidence.
Please be aware that the University cannot guarantee that specific provisions (reasonable adjustments) can be put in place if the relevant deadlines have been missed. If adjustments cannot be arranged and you believe your academic performance has been affected, you should contact your Hub for advice. They may recommend submitting a mitigation claim.
If you have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with approved exam adjustments, please check your exam timetable carefully to ensure your arrangements have been applied.
You will receive your exam timetable in the usual way. In addition, students with approved exam adjustments will receive a separate email confirming their individual exam arrangements.
For on-campus exams, additional writing time will be reflected in your timetable. Timed rest breaks will not normally be shown separately. If you have a rooming adjustment, you should also check that you have been allocated the appropriate Specific Provision (SP) venue.
If you do not receive the email confirming your individual arrangements, or you believe your approved arrangements have not been applied correctly, please contact the Exams Office as soon as possible.
If you already have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with approved exam adjustments, these arrangements will continue to apply. If your circumstances change and you would like your ILP to be reviewed or updated, please refer to the AccessAbility webpages for information on how to request a review:
Online Exams and ILP Adjustments
We are committed to ensuring that appropriate adjustments are made for students with an approved Individual Learning Plan (ILP) undertaking online exams and assessments.
For information about how extra time and rest breaks are applied to online exams, please refer to the 'Understanding Your ILP Exam Timings' section of this FAQ.
Option 1 exams (24-hour open-book assessments)
Option 1 exams are available for a 24-hour period. The extended availability period is intended to accommodate the needs of students who would normally receive exam adjustments, including extra time and rest breaks.
Option 2 and Option 4 exams (fixed-duration online assessments)
Any additional writing time approved through your ILP will be applied to your exam. Details of your ILP can be accessed through the Student Record System, and you will receive an email confirming your individual exam arrangements following the release of the exam timetable.
If your Option 2 or Option 4 exam requires submission via the Exams ELE submission point, an additional 15 minutes will be added to the assessment duration to allow for submission and any unforeseen technical issues. This is provided in addition to any extra time approved through your ILP.
Completing and Submitting Your Exam
If your Individual Learning Plan (ILP) includes permission to use a computer and you are sitting an on-campus written examination, you will complete your work on a University computer (or your approved device, where applicable) and submit it online via Exams ELE. For mid-term assessments, submissions will be made through ELE via your module page.
You may complete your examination in one of three ways:
- Typed answers only – Complete your examination on a computer and submit all answers through Exams ELE (or ELE for mid-term assessments).
- Typed and handwritten answers (hybrid) – Complete some answers on a computer and some by hand. Submit your typed answers through Exams ELE (or ELE for mid-term assessments) and hand your handwritten answers to the invigilator at the end of the examination.
- Handwritten answers only – If you choose not to use your computer provision, complete your answers by hand and submit your answer booklet(s) to the invigilator as normal.
Exam Timing
Your allocated exam time includes:
Your standard exam duration
Any additional time approved through your ILP
A 15-minute submission window at the end of the examination
This additional time is specifically for uploading and submitting your work.
ELE Answer Cover Sheet
All ILP computer users must complete an ELE Answer Cover Sheet. This tells your marker whether your examination has been completed using typed answers, handwritten answers, or a combination of both.
The completed cover sheet must be uploaded through ELE as part of your submission.
Download the ELE Answer Cover Sheet
Uploading Your Exam
- Save your work using your candidate number.
- Open your ELE module page.
- Select "On Campus Online Submission Exam Submission (ILP Computer Users)".
-
Download and complete the ELE Answer Cover Sheet.
- Select whether your submission is:
- Typed only
- Typed and handwritten
- Handwritten only
- If you have selected Typed and Handwritten, record the question number(s) completed by hand on the cover sheet.
- Upload your completed exam file and cover sheet.
- If you have handwritten answers, submit your handwritten script to the invigilator at the end of the examination.
Important
Check that you receive a submission confirmation and verify that the correct file has been uploaded.
You are responsible for ensuring that your work is fully uploaded and submitted before the submission deadline. Work submitted after the deadline may be treated as a late submission.
Any additional materials (for example graph paper or diagrams) must be securely attached to your handwritten script, and answer books must not be removed from the examination room.
Further Information
For queries related to a mental health condition, please contact Wellbeing Services at Wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.
For queries related to any other disability or health condition, please contact AccessAbility Services at AccessAbility@exeter.ac.uk.
For general enquiries, please contact the Student Information Desk (SID) via the SID webpage.