Rule-Breaking in Exams and Timed Online Assessments

You must not attempt to gain unfair advantage by accessing questions in advance; bringing unauthorised items into an exam; copying or accessing unauthorised information; communicating with other students, or any other breach of rules on exams and on-line tests.

Why is this a problem?

All forms of rule-breaking in exams and tests undermine the purpose of the assessment. Action against such behaviour is vital to ensure that marks reflect your ability to apply your knowledge to answer the questions set.

What can I do to avoid problems with my work?

1) Follow University rules about exam conduct. Listen carefully to invigilator’s instructions on the day.

2) Once under exam conditions, focus on your own work. Only communicate with the invigilators.

3) Remember that exam rules about not communicating with other students also apply to on-line tests.

4) During online tests, you may be able to check information in your notes or on-line, but never search for ready-made answers to the questions set.

5) If you include exact quotes in your work, name the author and identify the words concerned withquotation marks.

What are the penalties if something goes wrong?

Rule-breaking in exams or on-line tests is a very serious breach of academic integrity, for which the. normal penalty is permanent exclusion from the University. For more information, see the Academic Misconduct Procedure available on the Student Cases webpage.