Examination and Assessment Question Papers

What information will show on my question paper?  How will I know if I am allowed a calculator or a dictionary?

Types of Question Paper

All question papers are based on, one of three, University templates:

• White paper template – this template is printed on white paper.  For on campus examinations, if the question paper is on white paper it informs you and the Assessment Staff, such as the Invigilator, that the question paper can leave the examination venue at the end of the examination.  (You are allowed to take the question paper away with you after the examination).
• Blue/yellow paper template – this template is printed on blue or yellow.  For on campus examinations this indicates that you are required to answer some or all of the questions on the actual question paper, rather than in a script book.  In some cases you may need to answer some questions on the question paper and others in a script book.  Clear instruction should be given on the front of the question paper.  There will be a place on the front of the blue/yellow question paper where you should write your student number and your seat number.  These papers cannot leave the examination venue and must be handed in for marking at the end of the examination.  If you have used one or more script books, it is your responsibility to ensure your blue question paper and your script books are attached together, using the treasury tag which should be on your desk.
• Pink paper template – this is printed on pink.  For on campus examinations this means that the question paper must not leave the examination venue.  All question papers must be handed in at the end of the examination.  There will be a note on the front of the question paper stating “Please do not remove this paper from the examination venue”.

Rubric

All question papers have a rubric.  The rubric is a set of instructions or an informative list to aid the completion of the assessment.  The front page of the assessment question paper will show:

• The module code (this should show on every page)
• The module title
• The school responsible for the assessment
• The time you are allowed to complete the examination/assessment
• The number of pages the question paper is made up of
• Any additional materials needed, such as graph paper, MCQ card or a Cambridge Statistical Table
• Information relating to whether or not calculators and/or dictionaries can be used in the examination/assessment.

(For more information about materials permitted in examinations see the Examination Materials web page.)

The rubric may also include information specifically about the examination/assessment such as:

• If the examination/assessment is made up of more than one section
• What marks each section is worth
• If a section is to be answered on a blue paper, or on a multiple choice answer card
• If there are more questions on the examination/assessment question paper than you need to answer
• If you need to answer a certain amount of questions from one section

Read carefully the front of the question paper before you start the examination/assessment.  During an on campus examination, do not turn over the question paper and start reading until you are instructed to do so by an Invigilator.  Check carefully that the module code and title match that which you are expecting to take.  Make sure your question paper does not have a module code with a different last two digits to what you are expecting.  Note: Resit papers may have a module code ending in 09, if you are taking the paper for the first time you will need a different paper.  For on campus examinations, if you believe you have an incorrect paper raise your hand and tell the Invigilator.  For an online assessment, contact the teaching school as quickly as possible.