Examinations

Sitting exams

Some courses require you to sit exams.

Check the course information for the course you are interested in to see if it includes an exam and when the exam is to make sure you can attend. An examination timetable which provides a full list of all exams times can also be found at the bottom of this page. Exam times cannot be changed.

Sitting exams overseas

If you are enrolled as a student living overseas, we will contact you 8 weeks before your exam to give you information to help you organise a venue.

The exam venue you choose should be at a reputable tertiary institution or government agency that offers invigilation as part of their normal business services.

You will also need to arrange a supervisor who should be someone who is employed at your chosen venue and is proficient in the English language. Your supervisor cannot be a relative, colleague or personal friend.

If you enrolled with a New Zealand address but have since moved overseas or will be overseas at the time of your examination, please contact the Academic Registry Services Team at least 6 weeks before the examination to ensure the necessary arrangements can be made.

You will be responsible for any costs relating to the overseas venue, supervision and for paying to have your paper returned to us by courier.

Exam venues

We have exam venues throughout New Zealand. If your course has an exam, we will allocate you to the venue closest to your home address.

About three weeks before the exam, we will send you information about where and when the exam will be. We’ll also let you know what you are permitted to bring with you.

Check date, time and venue details on the admittance slip carefully. If you have a query or need to change any details, contact the Academic Registry Services Team as soon as possible.

You will need photo ID to get in to the venue. You should bring one of:

• Your Open Polytechnic student ID card
• Your driver’s licence
• Your passport
• Your credit card with embedded photo.

Special assistance for exams

If you have a disability or specific need that prevents you from sitting an exam under normal conditions, we may be able to offer special help.

Fill in and return the application for special assistance form, which is in the back of your Student Handbook.  We will need your application form at least 6 weeks before your exam.

The more notice we receive, the more likely we may be able to assist you. Also, let us know if you will be in an advanced stage of pregnancy (36 weeks or more) at the time of your exam.  If you would like to discuss your needs, contact us.

Resitting your exam

If you have satisfactorily completed all your coursework but failed the exam, you may apply to resit it at the next available offering. To apply for a resit, you will need to complete and return an exam resit application form, this is located at the bottom of this page. Please note that a fee applies for this service.

The following rules apply:

• Your must meet any special requirements stated in the specific programme regulations.
• Your application must be received by the Academic Registrar not later than 20 working days after the date of official notification of course results.
• The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

Note: You have only one opportunity per enrolment in a course to resit a failed examination.

Applying for recounts and reconsideration of marks

A recount is a careful check of your completed paper to make sure all the questions have been marked and that all marks have been added correctly.

A reconsideration is a careful remarking of coursework or an examination. You may apply for a reconsideration, but you must submit the relevant coursework with your application.

You must apply for a recount or reconsideration within 10 working days after official notification of course results. Complete the form supplied with your final result notification, and submit it with the prescribed fee. The fee is refunded if there is a change in mark or grade as a result of the recount or a change in grade as a result of the reconsideration.

Applying for aegrotat consideration

If you are prevented from attending an Open Polytechnic examination because of illness, injury, trauma or exceptional circumstance beyond your control, you may apply to be considered for an aegrotat pass.

Note: The aegrotat process is not available for:

• students who have previously been unsuccessful in an examination and have applied for an examination resit
• students who have previously been unsuccessful in an aegrotat application for that course
• coursework assessments.

An application for aegrotat consideration will be included with your examination admittance slip.

You must:

• apply within 10 working days of the date of the examination
• supply a confidential report from an appropriate registered health professional who has examined you within 24 hours of the examination time.

In order to be granted an aegrotat pass, you must meet the criteria specified in the Open Polytechnic academic statute.

Return of marked exam papers

You may ask to get your marked exam paper returned by completing the application form supplied with your Final Result Notification.

You must apply within 6 months of the exam as we destroy exam papers after that time.