Assessment
Whether you’re sitting an exam on campus or at home, the best ways to approach exams are the same – be prepared and make the most of your revision time
Don’t forget, there’s lots of genius advice in the Assessment and Feedback section of the Success Guide. We know that remote assessment will be a new experience for many of you and that the adjustment may be challenging, both for staff and students. We are doing everything to make sure that nobody is disadvantaged by the present situation. Here are our top tips to help you approach remote assessment with confidence:
Tips to help your approach remote exams with confidence
Know what to expect
Knowing what to expect will help you to feel more confident. Your Department will let you know how assessments will be managed and it’s important that you understand whether the exam is ‘closed-book’ or ‘open book’, the timings and any equipment that you’ll need. If your exam is ‘open book’ then your Department will let you know what materials you will be allowed to access. If you’re not sure, then ask.
Plan your revision
When you’re learning at home it’s even more important to manage your time effectively. Making a revision plan will help you feel prepared. Visit the revision pages for a range of helpful advice and techniques to help make the best of your revision time.
Get everything ready ahead of time
Your Department will let you know what materials you will need, and it’s a good idea to make a checklist and get everything together in good time. You will need an internet connection and a device which can access the relevant College systems. If you are expected to scan your exam script, you'll also need a smartphone or tablet with a camera as well as paper and all of the writing materials that you would usually use in an exam room. If you’re not sure, or you’re having a problem, please let your Department know.
Practice
Your Department should give you the chance to practice ahead of the exam. This will give you the chance to try out the submission system, make sure that any relevant applications and packages are working and familiarise yourself with the process. To make sure that everything goes smoothly on the day of the exam, ensure that you test the full submission process beforehand.
It’s also a good idea to practice creating, scanning and saving a sample of your writing to make sure that it’s clear and legible. If you're familiar with using your phone or tablet to scan and upload your work then you'll feel more confident and less stressed.
Ask for help
Remote teaching and assessment are new for many of us, but there is support available to help you achieve the best grade you can. If you have any concerns about being able to access the necessary equipment, software or to find a suitable quiet place to sit your exam, then you should raise these with your Department as soon as possible.