Information for learners who need to sit an exam

As well as the specific materials listed in your exam admittance email you can also take:

• Writing supplies – pens (black or blue), ruler, highlighter
• Any drawing instruments you may need (for example, drawing set, scale, flowchart template). 

Note - check the admittance email to see if you are required to bring a laptop to answer your exam questions. 

For information about the rules of what you can take into exams, and materials such as calculators, dictionaries, Government Acts or other materials refer to:

Approved examination materials (PDF, 87KB, opens in new window)

We will supply the examination paper and booklet to complete your answers, and additional sheets of paper if you fill your answer book.

You cannot have any of the items listed below with you or on your desk during your exam. They must be placed with your personal belongings when you enter your exam.

• Watches - You need to remove your watch. This is to eliminate the possible use of smart watches in examinations. All venues have clocks that are visible to learners.
• Mobile phones – these must be switched off.
• Electronic devices capable of storing, transmitting, or receiving information (electronic diaries, personal organisers, pagers, electronic translation devices, etc). 

• Remove any headwear. If you cannot for any reason, for example, religious reasons, contact the Services Team, Academic Registry before your exam at ResultsAndExams@openpolytechnic.ac.nz.
• Switch off your mobile phone and other electronic devices and remove your watch. Leave these with your personal belongings. 
  Remove your watch and put it with your personal belongings.

Note: If you breach these requirements during the examination, there may be consequences under Te Kawa Maiorooro and the Academic Statute. 

When you enter the examination room 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 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 get 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. 

You will have 10 minutes’ reading time where you may make written notes on the question paper, but you cannot write in the answer book.  

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 ask that you leave the examination room, and your examination may be cancelled with possible further action under Te Kawa Maiorooro and the Academic Statute. 

Answering questions

• Write all answers in the answer book or exam paper provided.
• Write your answers legibly, using a black/blue pen unless otherwise specified. Do not use red ink or pencil. Other colours may be used for illustrations.  
• 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.  

15 minutes before the exam ends

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.

At the end of the exam

When the examination supervisor announces the end of the examination:

• Stop writing immediately.
• Ensure 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 answer sheets from the examination question paper and tied them to your answer book.  
• Remain seated at your desk until the examination supervisor says you may leave.
• Do not take any paper from the examination room except your admittance details.

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.