If you are not living in Reading during your exam period, it may be necessary for you to book temporary accommodation nearby to ensure you make your in-person exams in good time. You can book a temporary stay in one of the rooms in campus halls, via the Stay at Reading and then Book your room page. 

Alternatively, if you already live in University accommodation, it may be possible to extend your contract to stay on in halls longer, if required, to attend exams.  

Please get in touch with the Accommodation team for further information via the Book-now page

Arrive at your exam venue at least 20 minutes before the published start time, so by 8.40am for morning exams and by 1.40pm for afternoon exams. 

Check the seating list for each exam, which is posted at the entrance to the exam venue. This shows your room, seat, and candidate number (also posted on the relevant room door). You need to remember these numbers.

You may write your 5-digit candidate number on the back of your hand if you feel you will not be able to remember this. Nothing else can be written on you.

If your name does not appear on the seating list for a paper that you believe you should be taking, double check that you 

- are in the correct venue 

- have the correct date and time 

- are not timetabled for a special arrangement exam venue 

Once you have made these checks, speak to a Senior Invigilator as soon as possible. 

A Senior Invigilator will brief all candidates before opening the doors to the venue. Ensure you listen carefully to these instructions and have your exam equipment/ID ready in your hand.

Turn off all non-permitted items, phones, watches, ear buds/headphones, electronic devices etc and place them in your bag, including any notes or teaching materials. Have your ID out of any cases or lanyards and remove the lid of your calculator, if the use of one is permitted.  

If you do not have a bag, ensure you hand all non-permitted items to your room invigilator as soon as you enter the room.

Check your pockets to ensure you have nothing on you that you should not have.

For information on regulations, view our exam regulations page.

You can enter an exam venue up to 30 minutes after the exam has started, but you will not be permitted any extra time at the end of the exam.   

When you arrive, speak to the invigilator at the entrance who will sign you in and ensure you know your candidate number, room and seat number before you go to your room. Check you have removed all non-permitted items from your pockets and everything is turned off and in your bag.   

After the standard 30-minute threshold has passed you will not be permitted entry and will not be able to sit the examination. 

If you are going to be late for an exam and you think this may exceed 30 minutes, you must contact the examinations office as soon as possible for advice.

Students who are absent from an exam will receive a mark of zero for the exam, unless it is agreed that there is good reason for the absence see Assessment Adjustment form (PREC).

See Late for the exam FAQ 

If you are ill or feel unwell on the day of your exam and are experiencing symptoms that may be contagious to others, you should stay at home and you should not attend any in-person exams you have scheduled. You can submit a Post results Assessment Adjustment form following the publication of results, for any exams you were not able to sit.

It is not possible to move unwell candidates to individual rooms to avoid spreading illnesses, as an invigilator would still be required to be in the room with you. 

Students who are absent from an exam will receive a mark of zero for the exam, unless it is agreed that there is good reason for the absence based on an Assessment Adjustment form (PREC). 

Find Assessment Adjustments for more information.

Find Post Results Exceptional Circumstances (PREC) for more information