Frequently asked questions - Exams, Assessments, Progression and Awarding

Our main exam periods will take place in January, May and August during which exams will take place online and on-campus.

Online exams will usually take one of three online formats, called Options: 

• Option 1: 

An open-book non-invigilated paper that must be completed and submitted within a 24 hour period following the exam start time written on your paper and on your exam timetable. 

You can use as much of the available 24 hours as you wish, but we do not expect the paper to take the full 24 hours to complete. An indicative amount of time, and/or a maximum word count(s), will be stipulated in the exam rubric. 

You will need to download, complete, and upload/submit their paper within the specified 24 hour period. 

• Option 2: 

An open-book non-invigilated exam that must be completed and submitted within a fixed duration during a specified 24 hour period as defined on your paper and on your exam timetable. 

As soon as you begin the download of your exam paper it will be time stamped, and the fixed duration of the exam will begin. 

The duration will be adjusted, where appropriate, with respect to Individual Learning Plans. 

You are allowed an additional 15 minute window to submit your work to the Exams ELE submission point, please ensure you use the 15 minute window at the end of the fixed duration to upload and submit your work, contacting the Assessment Helpdesk should you have any problems during the exam. 

You will need to download, complete, and upload/submit their paper within the fixed duration and the specified 24 hour period. 

Take a note of the time you started the paper. It is your responsibility to note the time you access your Option 2 exam paper, and keep track of when you will need to submit. 

• Option 4: 

An open-note non-invigilated exam that will be available for a set period of time. 

The paper must be started at the time shown on your timetable (please note these times are in GMT) and completed within the set time displayed on the rubric at the front of your paper.  

The duration will be adjusted, where appropriate, with respect to Individual Learning Plans.  

You have an additional 15 minutes to upload your exam to the Exams ELE submission point. During this time, you should convert your document (along with any drawings/graphs) into a SINGLE PDF and submit it to the Exams ELE submission point. 

You must submit your exam by the time indicated on your Exams ELE submission point, which will have been adjusted to include any ILP timings (if applicable).  

Together, the exam time, technical upload time and extra time required as per an ILP (where applicable) constitute the ‘total fixed duration’, which we will monitor. 

On-campus exams will be held for some modules where this is a requirement of the learning outcomes. Exams are being held on-campus where invigilation is required, and submission formats are difficult to capture online, such as formula-based/graphical, practical and oral exams. 

The majority of on-campus exams are fixed-time, closed book and set in an invigilated room. For information about arriving to an on-campus exam, conduct in an exam room, and procedure after an on-campus exam, please read section 7 of the Student Handbook for Exams.

All Option 1, 2 and 4 exam papers will be posted to Exams ELE, a platform for remote exams; this looks and operates in the same way as ELE.

Please review the Student Handbook for Exams for detailed information on submission. 

For Option 1, 2 and 4 exams (where a pdf assessment paper is downloaded): 

During the main exam periods (January, May and August) all exams will be submitted to Exams ELE submission points unless otherwise informed by your faculty. 

You won't need to write your student or candidate number on your exam.

Make sure you don’t write your name anywhere on your answer. 

Please be patient, it can take a few minutes for your submission to upload to the Exams ELE submission point. If there are any known major system faults which could be affecting your ability to submit we will let you know by email on the day of your exam. 

After you submit your completed exam, double-check that you have submitted the correct document. 

For ELE Timed Quizzes – Option 2 (where the assessment is answered within ELE): 

Your answers will automatically be recorded and submitted when you select ‘finish attempt’ on the quiz. This will end your quiz and send your answers for marking. Keep an eye on the time, if you go over the allocated time the quiz will close itself and submit your answers up to that point. 

For all online exams 

Students who are encountering upload issues during their exam should contact the Assessment Helpdesk before their deadline has passed, and to ensure that the issue has been logged. 

In a small number of cases your assessment submission method may be different from the Exams ELE submission point. If this is the case, you will receive direct guidance from your faculty. 

Online exam will usually take one of three forms and be timed accordingly: 

All option 1 and 2 exams will be offered in a 24 hour period – either of no fixed duration, or a fixed duration. This will allow you to complete the exams at a suitable time, wherever you may be. The 24 hour period exists to allow you to engage with the assessment no matter in which time zone you are living. There is no expectation that these assessments should take longer than ‘normal’ exams. 

Option 4 exams must be started at the time shown on your timetable (please note these times are in BST, so we recommend using a time zone converter if you are outside the UK. 

We aim to make to make appropriate adjustments for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students who are eligible for additional specific provisions during exams or assessments in accordance with their Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Please see question 1.9 below for details of arrangements made for students who normally receive extra time or rest breaks. 

If you wish to discuss your ILP and your ability to complete the May 2024 exams please contact us before 5pm on Monday 12 February in order for any adjustments to be considered. 

If you are based in Exeter, please contact Wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk for any queries related to a mental health condition, and contact Accessability@exeter.ac.uk for any queries related to any other disability or health condition. 

If you are based in Penryn, please contact Accessibility@fxplus.ac.uk. 

For Option 1 exams which are taken within a 24 hour time period with no fixed duration, you can take as long as you require within this 24 hour period to complete the exam. The expectation is that such papers will take approximately the same length of time as the originally-planned exams, and thus the 24 hour time period allows for any extra time or rest breaks you would take in an on-campus exam. 

If you are undertaking an Option 2 or 4 (fixed duration) exam and have an ILP requiring extra time then you can use this ILP Information table to calculate how much extra time you will be provided. You can find details of your ILP via the Student Record System here. You will also be emailed within seven working days of the timetable release with confirmation of your total writing time. 

If you have been allocated any exams falling under Option 2 or 4 (fixed duration) to be submitted to Exams ELE submission point, please note that you will be allocated an additional 15 minutes on top of the exam duration to support you to complete the submission process should you experience any technical difficulties. This is also in addition to any timed adjustments based on Individual Learning Plans. 

For on-campus exams, any extra time will be included in the duration(s) shown on your exam timetable and where appropriate, will be rounded up to the nearest 5 minutes in the exam room. Timed breaks are not included in any noted duration. If you have specific marking guidelines as part of your ILP, you must attach a sticker to your exam script. These Stickers will be made available to you during your exam. (Please be aware that you do not need to use these stickers for On Campus Multiple Choice Papers). 

Late submissions 

Option 1 exams are to be completed and submitted within a 24-hour time window. Option 2 papers are to be completed and submitted within a ‘total fixed duration’ within a 24-hour period.Option 4 exams are to be completed and submitted within a ‘total fixed duration’ based upon a set single start time. 

Late penalties for option 1 exams undertaken within a 24-hour window are as follows: 

Submissions exceeding the total fixed duration for an exam: 

For option 2 papers, it will be stipulated how much time you have to complete your paper from the moment you select the relevant link within ELE and start your exam. 

For Option 4 papers, it will be stated on your timetable how much time you have to complete your paper from the fixed single start time at which point you will be able to select the relevant link within ELE and start your exam. 

For both Option 2 and Option 4 exams, in addition to this specified ‘exam time’, you will also be given: 

• 15 minutes of ‘technical upload time’ in which to convert your document (along with any drawings / graphs) into the correct file format (usually pdf) and submit it; and, only where applicable, 
• any extra time required as a result of recommendations contained within your Individual Learning Plan (ILP). 

The ‘total fixed duration’ = (i) your exam time + (ii) your technical upload time + (iii) extra time required as per an ILP (only where applicable). 

The download of your exam paper and upload of your completed work within this ‘total fixed duration’ will be monitored. Students that have exceeded this total fixed duration will be penalised as follows: 

Where a student submits within the total fixed duration for their exam, but after the end of the 24-hour window, then the following penalties will apply: 

When is work late? 

Option 1 – work submitted more than 24 hours after the exam paper release time will be marked as late, and penalties will be applied. 

Option 2 - work submitted after the ‘total fixed duration’ available to complete and submit the exam will be marked as late. The total fixed duration for option 2 papers consists of: (i) the exam time (as specified on your paper); (ii) the technical upload time; and, only where applicable, (iii) the additional time conferred by a students’ ILP.

OR work submitted within the ‘total fixed duration’ but more than 24 hours after the exam paper release time. You should therefore make sure that you start the paper in plenty of time. 

Option 4 – work submitted after the ‘total fixed duration’ available to complete and submit the exam will be marked as late. The total fixed duration for option 2 papers consists of: (i) the exam time (as specified on your paper); (ii) the technical upload time; and, only where applicable, (iii) the additional time conferred by a students’ ILP. 

You can resubmit papers to Exams ELE submission point within the timeframe of an exam. For additional assistance contact the Assessment Helpdesk.

Where possible, you should complete your exam on a computer or laptop unless you have a specific reason not to. Some modules may require you to handwrite parts of your exam; in this instance, please refer to your individual discipline guidance for more information. If you must handwrite all (or parts) of your assessment, we recommend you scan or photograph your work using a mobile phone. The image must show your work as flat as possible and in good light, with no shadows overhead. 

There are mobile applications which can help you do this, but the simplest method is to photograph your work using your phone camera. Hold your phone over your work and make sure that all of it is in the image. You may find it useful to have the flash turned on. Ensure that the content is in focus. 

You can’t submit photos separately in Exams ELE, you need to insert photos of your handwritten work on to one document with your answers, in the correct order for the marker, and then convert it to a pdf. If you have an iPhone you can scan documents directly into the Notes app and then copy them into your work – further information is available on the Apple support site. 

If you need to handwrite all or parts of your assessment, please make sure you’ve tested scanning or photographing and uploading your work, and have the tools for this, in advance of your exam.

In the event that you hand write your answers for an exam, it is your responsibility to provide a script that is clearly legible. Candidates who submit scripts which examiners are unable to read will be invited to produce a word-processed transcript. This transcript must be a true copy of the original. If any embellishments are found, this will be treated as suspected academic misconduct following guidance under Chapter 12 – Academic Conduct and Practice. 

If an answer sheet is provided on the exam, you can choose to handwrite your answers on separate paper but make sure you clearly label which question you are answering. 

If you experience IT issues during your exam, you must contact the Assessment Helpdesk, so they can log that the issue has occurred and give you urgent assistance. You can email the Helpdesk on examshelp@exeter.ac.uk 

Mid-term exams 

On the days where Mid-term exams are running, you can telephone the Helpdesk on +44 (0) 1392 72 6800. The Helpdesk will be open between 9am – 6pm. 

May exams    

From Monday 5 May you will be able to telephone the Helpdesk on +44 (0) 01392 72 6800 if you are in a live exam. The Helpdesk will be open between 8am - 6pm Monday to Saturday and 8am - 3:30pm on Sunday.

If you experience IT issues (including internet problems) that prevent you from completing your exam, you can also apply for mitigation once you have contacted the Assessment Helpdesk. Be aware that the only mitigation offered on May 2024 exams is a deferral to August 2024.

You should complete the you can download a copy here.‌ within one working day of the affected assessment submission date. 

Illness/Disruption during an exam 

If you feel ill during an exam you should inform an invigilator immediately. Similarly, any other form of distraction, e.g. excessive noise causing an adverse effect on your performance should also be reported at the time of occurrence. 

Exam paper queries 

Should you feel the need to raise a query concerning the content of an exam paper, you must first raise your hand to obtain an invigilator’s attention. 

Academic honesty is fundamental to the values promoted by the University and no student should be allowed to obtain for themselves, or for someone else, an unfair advantage as a result of academic dishonesty - whether this is by plagiarism, collusion with another, cheating, or other means. Students are expected to do their own work and abide by the University’s Code of Academic Conduct and Practice. In the process of submitting any examination paper, students will be asked to declare their acknowledgement of, and compliance with, this code. 

These assessments will be subject to our normal processes for the detection of plagiarism, such as the use of plagiarism detection software. We are aware, however, that online exams present the potential for an increase in academic misconduct, particularly around authorship issues. Due to this, the University has introduced a viva process to support academic staff in marking assignments where they have concerns over the authorship or originality of the work. 

The primary purpose of the viva voce is to ascertain whether the work submitted by a student is based on their knowledge. This is achieved by assessing the student’s understanding of the submission, and their ability to explain and justify its contents using their knowledge of the subject, by way of a video interview as part of the moderation process. If there are any concerns about a submission, students will be notified and invited to attend a viva. 

You can apply to defer an exam you experience unexpected situations that affect your ability to complete an assessment, such as illness or a family crisis. 

Please note extensions are not offered for exams. To find out about how to apply for a deferral, and whether or not it is the right option for you, view the information on our mitigation webpages. 

We ask you to carefully consider any decision to apply for mitigation. You can seek impartial and confidential advice from the Students’ Guild (Exeter) and Students’ Union (Cornwall). 

Mitigation application must be received either before the exam or up to 24 hours after the start time.

To support you as you prepare for the exams there’s lots of guidance available via the Study Zone Digital. 

The Study Zone (Exeter) and Study Hub (Penryn) have many resources to help you manage your workload, including drop-ins and online support.

We have published a Student Handbook for Exams, which we advise all students read before the exam period. 

The Assessment Helpdesk will be available to offer students support during exams on things such as submission difficulties, clarification questions on paper content, problems with locating papers or students experiencing IT issues. 

During live exams you can contact the Helpdesk on examshelp@exeter.ac.uk or by telephoning +44 (0) 1392 72 6800.  

If you have queries about your dissertation or coursework items, please speak to your relevant Hub Info point. 

Assessment Helpdesk is run by a support team able to respond to queries on all online exams whilst they are taking place and open. You can email the Helpdesk on examshelp@exeter.ac.uk 

Mid-term exams 

You can telephone the Helpdesk on +44 (0) 1392 72 6800. The Helpdesk is open between 9am – 6pm on the days where Mid-term exams are running. 

The Helpdesk can advise on queries about the exam question or rubric, as well as IT- related queries during your assessment, liaising directly with the IT Helpdesk if necessary. They will also log that you have experienced an issue during an exam should you need further assistance. 

This Helpdesk is only available for students taking current online exams. If your exam is sitting on-campus and you have any queries or concerns, please contact your Hub Info Point. 

If you have a question concerning the content of an exam paper during an on-campus exam, you should raise your hand to obtain an invigilator's attention; they will then liaise with the Exams Office, who will ensure your query is addressed.

If bringing your own computer to University is financially difficult, you can apply for funds to buy computer equipment through the University's Success for All Fund. If you are disabled and need help to buy specialist equipment, we may also be able to help. You can find out more and apply on our website. You should investigate these routes of assistance well in advance of the exams week.