What is an exam offence/online timed assessment offence?
You could be accused of an exam offence if:
- you obtain, or attempt to obtain, access to exam papers before the exam
- you take with you into the exam and/or use any of the following in the exam: books, notes, papers, or devices of any kind other than those specifically permitted in the rubric of the paper. If you are found to have notes in your possession, even if you do not make use of them in the exam, you may be found guilty of an exam offence
- you copy or attempt to copy the work of another student in the exam (which includes asking another student for information)
- you do not follow the invigilators’ instructions or the instructions printed on the exam answer booklet
- you remove an exam answer booklet from an exam room (whether the booklet is completed or not)
- you take the exam on another student’s behalf, or someone takes the exam on your behalf
- You make use of resources or materials during an exam (including online timed assessments) when it is in breach of the exam instructions
- You seek help or assistance from a third party or communicate with another student during an online timed assessment (via any communication method, including WhatsApp)
Note that if you use the words and ideas of another person in your exam answers, you must correctly acknowledge your sources to avoid any accusations of plagiarism.
See Section 7 of our academic regulations for details on candidates’ responsibilities during the exam process.
Online Timed Assessments
During Online timed assessments you are still expected to follow assessment instructions and have regard for the regulations as you would during a formal scheduled exam. You could be accused of an offence in an online timed assessment if you breach the guidance you were given in the timed assessment. For example, if you make use of unauthorised material, if you communicate with other students during the timed assessment, or if you share work with other students.
You can avoid being accused of an offence in an exam or an online timed assessment by:
- Reading the instructions carefully at the start of the assessment to understand what is expected. If the assessment is open book, then you may be allowed to use resources, however please ensure you understand what the requirements are before starting.
- If you have questions during the exam / online timed assessment, always ask these through the appropriate channels. For an online timed assessment, a discussion board will normally be set up by your Module Leader on Blackboard which is where you can ask questions. Do not contact other students asking them questions about the paper or where to find information. If the exam is in-person on campus, then you should always ask the invigilators present.
- Do not use your phone or social media to contact other students during the exam / online timed assessment, even if you are not discussing the paper.
- For an online timed assessment, if you submit your work before the deadline do not contact other students before the submission time has passed. Other students may still be working and communicating with them is an offence.
- If you experience any technical difficulties during an online timed assessment, then contact your Module leader and log a ticket with the IT Service Desk.