Need to know information about exams| University of Reading

What do I need to know?

We know that sitting your exams can be stressful and we want to help and support you as much as we can, so we have produced a comprehensive document that details everything that you will need to know about exams.

Please familiarise yourself with the content of the examination arrangements document, and take a look below for some key information.

Sitting your exam in a different location

You are expected to be available in Reading to sit your exams for summer and resit periods. In highly exceptional cases you may be permitted to sit your exam overseas. This requires submitting a case to your Director for Teaching and Learning.

The administration fee for sitting exams overseas in exceptional circumstances is £220 plus local invigilation costs (e.g. via the British Council) and the normal University of Reading reassessment fee.

What do I need to do before my exam?

Exam timetable

Ensure that you familiarise yourself with your personal exam timetable. More details are available here.

Location of exams

Make sure you familiarise yourself with the location of your exam. Written papers will be held at the venue shown on your personal timetable, published on the RISIS portal. If you are unfamiliar with the campus, make sure you arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to find the venue. More details are available here.

Know what is and isn’t allowed

Every year, we catch students breaking the rules. Ignorance is no excuse. If you are caught breaking the rules for whatever reason, it will be considered cheating and you will face academic misconduct procedures. More details are available here.

Your candidate number

You should print or save a copy of your timetable for reference. You will need your 5-digit candidate number (which is shown on the top right-hand corner of your timetable) in all of your exams.

What happens on the day of and during the exam?

When you get to the exam venue your desk number will be shown on the seating list for each exam at the entrance to the exam hall. If your name does not appear on the seating list for a paper that you believe you should be taking, don’t panic. You should ask to see the Chief Invigilator as soon as possible. They will make sure that you are in the right place, and that you will then be allocated a seat.
You will be admitted to the exam room 10 minutes before the start of each exam.
You may read the question paper once you have sat down before the exam starts, but you may not write anything until the scheduled time for the paper to begin.
You must display your University Campus Card on your desk as a means of identification. If you do not have your Campus Card, you should bring a passport or driver’s licence instead.
You must not wear outdoor coats during the exam. Coats and jackets must be left at the front of the room, along with any bags. You must not have a mobile phone or smart watch on you during an exam, even if it is switched off.
If you need to speak to an Invigilator for any reason, you should raise your hand and wait for an Invigilator to come to your desk.
Please write answers in ink, not pencil. You may only use pencil for graphs and diagrams.
No candidate will be permitted to enter the exam room after 30 minutes from the beginning of any exam, and no candidate will be permitted to leave until 30 minutes has elapsed.

What should I do if I can't attend the exam because I am unwell?

If you are due to sit an exam but feel ill, you should go to your doctor for treatment; please advise the doctor that you are due to sit an exam. Contact your Support Centre who will explain the next steps you need to take, and guide you through the ECF process.

If there are circumstances which you think might affect or have affected your performance in exams or assessment, please complete the University’s Notification of Extenuating Circumstances Form and inform your Academic Tutor. Please see further details regarding how to submit Extenuating Circumstances forms here.