Read the exam rules and the University assessment regulations (PDF, 258kB) before an assessment period.

Check what you need to bring with you on the day, and what you should leave at home.

Arriving at your exam

• You should arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the start of your exam and enter the exam hall when instructed.
• Leave bags, coats and any electronic devices (including mobile phones and smart watches) at the back of the hall before finding your seat.
• If you have a seat number on your timetable, you must sit at your allocated desk. Otherwise, you could be marked as absent from the exam.

Late arrivals

• If you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the exam, you will not be allowed into the hall and will be directed to speak to your School/Department.
• If you arrive late, enter the hall quietly and alert an invigilator.
• No additional time will be allowed for students arriving late.

During your exam

• If you have any questions during an exam, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator to help you.
• You must stay silent at all times in the exam hall unless you are quietly talking to an invigilator.
• If you open your exam booklet, read the exam questions, or start writing before you are told to do so by the invigilator, you will be reported for cheating.
• At the end of the exam, you must stop writing when the invigilator tells you to do so. If you continue to write, this will be considered cheating.
• When you have finished your exam, remain seated and silent until the invigilator permits you to leave.

Leaving your exam

• You are not allowed to leave the exam hall during the first 30 minutes and last 15 minutes of an exam.
• You are not allowed to leave the room and return at other times during the exam unless accompanied by an invigilator. This includes toilet breaks. If you leave the room unaccompanied, you will not be allowed to return.

Cheating

Suspected cheating incidents will be reported to your school/department and dealt with under the University disciplinary regulations.

If you are suspected of cheating:

• you will be handed a 'Notice of Suspected Malpractice' during the exam and must explain to the invigilator at the end of the exam
• your exam answer book and any unauthorised material will be removed
• you will be given a new answer book so that you may finish the exam.

Read the guidance on academic integrity.

Online exams and timed assessments

If you are taking an online exam or timed assessment, make sure you know what the submission rules and deadlines are.