Examination room regulations
Candidates must note the following examination regulations
Failure to comply will be deemed to be in breach of examination regulations and will be subject to the outcomes of an academic offence as set out in Part Q of the Rights, Responsibilities and Regulations.
- Candidates will only be admitted up to thirty minutes after the commencement of the examination. No extra time will be allowed. If any candidate arrives after thirty minutes has elapsed they will not be allowed to enter the examination.
- No candidate may leave during the first thirty minutes of the examination or during the last twenty minutes.
- Any candidate who finishes early must hand in their answer script before leaving their desk. They must leave the room quietly, in order not to disturb other candidates. Candidates will not be permitted to re-enter the room once their script has been collected.
- Candidates wishing to use toilet facilities may do so, one at a time, in an emergency only. They will be accompanied at all times by an invigilator. Any candidate who leaves the examination room unaccompanied will not be allowed to re-enter.
- If the fire alarm sounds during the examination candidates must follow the instructions of the invigilator. Candidates must leave the room in silence and must not take any papers or material from the room. Candidates must not communicate with each other or in any way attempt to take an unfair advantage of the situation. Any candidate positively detected consulting a book, for example, will be deemed to be in breach of examination regulations. Candidates must not re-enter the examination room before the invigilator has returned. Any candidates who do so will not be permitted to continue the paper.
- Candidates must provide evidence of their identity by prominently displaying their University of Derby ID card on the desk. The University will conduct identity checks. Candidates may not be permitted to sit the examination if they do not have ID with them.
- Strict silence must be observed at all times in the examination room. The examination is deemed to be in progress from the time candidates enter the room until all the scripts have been collected.
- All briefcases, bags, books, pencil cases etc. must be placed to one side of the examination room as instructed and not left beside the desks. All gangways should remain clear of obstruction. Candidates taking open book examinations may only use books, notes etc specified by the examiner.
- Candidates are to clear their desks of any notepaper, books or materials other than that provided. Dictionaries are not permitted unless specified otherwise on the examination paper.
- Candidates taking computer-based examinations must not attempt to access unauthorised resources, including web pages, instant messaging programmes, email and shared folders.
- No unauthorised electronic devices are permitted on a candidate's desk. All devices such as mobile phones and electronic pagers must be turned off and stored in bags at the side of the examination room, or face down under the candidate's chair. Candidates are responsible for any electronic device taken into the examination room. Retaining any unauthorised electronic device on the person will be deemed to be in breach of examination regulations. Candidates are permitted to use silent, non-programmable calculators. Candidates should ensure that such devices do not contain unauthorised material. If devices are found carrying such information the candidate will be deemed to be in breach of examination regulations.
- Candidates must not consult the question paper until instructed to do so.
- Candidates must not speak to or otherwise communicate with any other candidate throughout the examination. Sharing materials during the examination is also not allowed.
- Candidates may have sweets that are wrapped in foil such as mints or other similar confectionary. Students may also have bottled water which must be stored on the floor and not on desks.
- Candidates must read the "Instructions to Candidates" printed on the front sheet of the question paper and comply with them. No extra time is allowed for completing the entries required on the front cover of the answer book. When time is called at the conclusion of the examination all writing must cease immediately.
- All rough work must be done in the answer book provided. A line should be drawn through such rough work to indicate to the examiner that it is not part of the answer to be marked.
- Candidates must ensure that any additional sheets are securely tied inside the answer book with the tag provided and that their name or examination number is entered at the top of each sheet.
- Candidates must remain seated until all answer books have been collected and the invigilator gives the signal to leave the room. Any unused stationery should be left on the desk.
- Candidates are asked to observe requests for silence around the areas of the University where examinations are taking place.
New exam regulations - what you need to know
From September 2008 the University of Derby's Exam Regulations changed to include the introduction of a fixed penalty system.
What does this mean?
If found in breach of the regulations during your exam you'll receive notice of automatic failure. This will include a written warning and in more serious cases, you'll be investigated at an Academic Offence Panel Hearing. Further offences may lead to termination of your studies.
Examples of when a fixed penalty will be given:
- Talking in an exam
- Having unauthorised notes or documentation on your person or desk
- Having electronic devices on your person, for example in your pocket
- Sharing materials with another candidate during an exam
Don't panic, just make sure you're familiar with the regulations.
Key points to remember
- Don't take anything in with you that you shouldn't
- No mobile phones
- No MP3 players
- No other electronic devices
- No talking to other students on entry to the exam room until after the scripts are collected. This applies to other forms of communication too.
- Leave unnecessary items at home - if you need things with you (eg mobile phone) leave them turned off and at the side of the room.
- If you're more than 30 minutes late you will not be allowed into the exam.
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Bring your student card with you and place it on the corner of your desk! This will be checked by the invigilator.
For further information
A full copy of the regulations can be found at www.derby.ac.uk/academic-regulations.
If you're unsure and need advice please talk to us, you can contact either:
- Assessment and Awards - 01332 591170
- The Source (Students' Union) - 01332 591509
If you have any queries on the day you can always talk to the invigilator before your exam starts.
