Types of assessment

An exam is a formal in-person assessment that is carried out under timed conditions and under the supervision of invigilators or an academic member of staff.

It may be written, digital (for example, on a device) oral or aural. All exams are held according to the Examination Procedure.

Find out about preparing for your exams and what to expect on the day.

Coursework is a piece of work that has a clear assessment brief describing:

• the parameters of the work
• a defined period of time in which to complete it, and
• a clear deadline for submission.

Coursework can have a variety of formats such as essay, portfolio, report, presentation, group work and more.

Your school can give you more information about coursework.

Read about what to do you have technical difficulties with submitting coursework.

An OTLA is an assessment you complete online with a limited timeframe from the release of the work to the required submission time. It is not invigilated.

The specific assessment format can vary, in a similar way to coursework.

Generally, you have 48 hours (or less) to complete an OTLA, with guidance on the recommended amount of time to spend on it.

Your teaching school can give you more information about OTLAs, or you can read the OLTA page.

Practical work is an assessment of your practical skills or competence, for example, clinical skills or performance.

Practical work will either be an exam or coursework, depending on the particular parameters of the work. Your school will adhere to the Examination Procedure if it is an exam or give you an assessment brief if it is coursework.

Your school can give you more information about practical work.