Information for exam day

This page includes what you need to know and must do on the day of and during your examination.

Please read this information carefully and check it before your examination.

 

What to bring to your exam

On the day of your exam, you need to bring your admittance letter and one of the photo IDs listed below so you can enter the exam:

  • driver licence
  • passport
  • credit card with your embedded photo.

If you can’t supply one of the approved forms of identity, you will need to fill in an honesty declaration form. Your signature will be compared with an authorised signature such as a bankcard.

You should also bring any specific materials as advised in your admittance letter.

Exam admittance information and approved materials 

 

Before you enter your exam

Ensure that you have plenty of time to reach the examination venue.

  • You can enter the examination room 10 minutes before the examination is due to start.
  • You cannot enter the examination room 30 minutes after the start of the exam.

Before you go into the examination room:

  • Remove any headwear. If you you cannot remove your headwear for any reason, for example, religious reasons, contact the Services Team, Academic Registry before your exam.
  • Switch off your cell phone and other electronic devices. Leave these with your personal belongings or give them to the examination supervisor.
  • Remove your watch and put it with your personal belongings. This is to eliminate the possible use of smart watches in examinations.

Note: If you breach these requirements during the examination, there may be consequences under the Open Polytechnic statute.

 

When you go into the exam room

When you enter the examination room you need to show the examination supervisor your photographic proof of identity. They will direct you to the desk allocated to you, and tell you where you can store your personal belongings.

You will need to:

  • display your photo ID and admittance details on your desk so they are clearly visible to the examination supervisor
  • place all permitted reference materials on your desk. You will not be able to access them from elsewhere once the examination has started
  • check that the answer book on your desk has your name label on it, and that the examination question paper is the correct paper
  • complete all the information on the front cover of the answer book, including the honesty declaration section. 

During your 10 minutes reading time you may make written notes on the question paper, but you cannot write in the answer book. 

 

When the exam starts

Once the examination has started:

  • you must stay in the examination room for at least 45 minutes
  • you cannot leave the examination room in the last 15 minutes under any circumstance.

During the examination you must not:

  • look at or copy other candidates’ answers
  • communicate with any other candidate in the examination room
  • leave or return to the examination room, without the permission of the supervisor
  • cause any distraction or disturbance to other candidates in the examination room, including talking, eating, etc.

Note

  • Unreasonable conduct that distracts or impedes other learners in the examination room is not allowed.
  • If you leave the examination room without the examination supervisor's permission you will be deemed to have completed the examination. You cannot re-enter the room.

If you breach any of these requirements the examination supervisor has the right to request that you leave the examination room, and your examination may be cancelled with possible further action under the Open Polytechnic statute.

Answering questions

  • Write your answers legibly, using a black/blue pen or ballpoint unless otherwise specified. Do not use red ink or pencil. Other colours may be used for illustrations. 
  • Write all answers in the answer book provided.
  • Start each question, but not parts of a question, on a new page. Your examination supervisor will have spare paper if you need it. 
  • Do rough working in the answer book and cross it out. 
  • Do not use correction products (e.g. Twink/tape) on your answer book.
  • If you answer more than the required number of questions cross out those you don’t want marked. 

 

At the end of the examination

The examination supervisor will make an announcement 15 minutes before the end of the examination period. You cannot leave the room for any reason during this time. 

When the examination supervisor announces the end of the examination:

  • stop writing immediately 
  • ensure that you have written the numbers of the questions you have answered on the front of the answer book
  • tie any extra writing paper to the answer book, ensuring you have detached any multi-choice question sheets and tied them to your answer book 
  • remain seated at your desk until the examination supervisor advises you may leave
  • do not take any paper from the examination room except your admittance details and the examination question paper (some exceptions may apply).

Before you leave, check your papers carefully. If you take a multiple-choice answer sheet from the examination room, it cannot be accepted later if you try to hand it in. 

 

Aegrotat consideration

If you are unable to attend your examination, or you sat your examination and think that your performance was impaired due to injury, illness, trauma or an exceptional circumstance beyond your control, you may apply to be considered for an aegrotat pass.

The aegrotat consideration process is not available if you have previously failed that examination and are resitting the exam.

Learn more about how to apply for Aegrotat consideration

 

Need help?

If you have any questions or concerns on the day of your exam, contact the Services Team, Academic Registry:

 

Related information

Exam timetables and exam centre information

Sitting exams overseas 

Exam assistance