Exam checklists

Familiarise yourself with what to expect from online and in-person exams, then use these checklists to make sure you've got everything ready.

For 1:1 advice on exam preparation, how to interpret exam questions, or to discuss improving any aspect of your academic output, make an appointment or attend an online class with an adviser in SLD.

More information

For a fuller description of what each day will involve:

Online Exam Checklist

Before the exam

Study as you would for an in-person exam. You will need the same skills, knowledge and understanding.

In advance of the exam, make sure you know:

  • the University's position on AI and academic integrity
  • the date, time and duration of your exam (Exam Timetables)
  • how and where to access your exam on Moodle (your School will provide this information)
  • the exam paper format (essays, short answers, MCQs etc)
  • whether you are permitted to have any study materials with you at your computer, and any restrictions on what these must not include (contact your School if you are unsure)
  • where the online exam simulation Moodle is, what the submission process involves, and whether your device allows you to go through the simulation without problems
  • how long you should spend on your exam (see guidance on the four types of online exam)
  • whether your device has any pending software updates or connection issues that will need to be resolved
  • the Helpdesk telephone number, in case of internet connection problems on the day: +44 (0)141 330 4800 (available 8am - 11pm)

On the day

  • Make sure you eat a healthy meal and stay hydrated
  • Prepare your workspace to be tidy, quiet and with enough room to work
  • Make sure your laptop / device is charged and that you have the charger to hand
  • Make sure you have the necessary programs/documentation you will need for your exam (e.g. Word, Excel, written notes where these are permitted, etc.)
  • Have paper for jotting down plans
  • Have water and snacks to hand
  • Have a clock or timer so you can keep an eye on time throughout

During the exam

  • Ensure that you click on the Declaration of Originality option to declare your work as your own
  • Ensure that you can download and see the exam paper, and that you understand what the questions are asking you; read the instructions/information on the front page
  • Craft your answers as you would in an in-person exam: if permitted by your subject area for this exam, you can use notes, materials and information but do not dedicate large amounts of time to looking for quotations or information. A stronger exam submission is one that displays a solid grasp of concepts and ideas; an exam answer that is obviously a collection of quotations or facts, without any of your own interpretation, will not do well
  • If you do use any source materials in your exam, you need to provide in-text references in the appropriate style for your subject; your subject area can advise on whether a reference list is required at the end
  • Double-check your answers and that you have answered the correct number of questions
  • Double-check that you have provided the correct question numbers beside your answers,and that your document has page numbers
  • Double-check that you have uploaded the CORRECT FILE, that it is readable, and that it is the version that you want to be marked
  • If you use a word-processing package other than Microsoft Word, you are advised to convert and upload as a pdf
  • When you are happy with your answers, upload your document via the exam paper upload area on Moodle
  • Ensure that you upload files to the correct course Moodle assignment

If you experience technical difficulties with accessing, completing, checking or submitting an exam you should immediately contact the IT Helpdesk at www.gla.ac.uk/help, where live help is available from 8am to 11pm. All help requests received outside these times will be logged for a response as soon as a technician is available. To ensure timely responses and that all students receive the same information, you should not contact academic staff directly but instead use the Helpdesk.

If you are unable to access the helpdesk via the internet, call +44 (0)141 330 4800. (A reminder of these contact details will be provided on the exam front page.)

In the event of submitting a Good Cause claim for late or non-submission owing to severe technical issues (e.g., prolonged loss of internet connection), you could support your claim with reference to the IT Helpdesk Incident Number, if you logged the issue with the IT Helpdesk. Note, however, that if it is a University-based technical issue impacting a whole group or cohort of students, IT will publish a Spotlight Alert which will provide updates (you can sign up to the alert email list). In this case, your School should communicate with you about mitigations they will put in place, which may include advice that there is no need to submit a Good Cause claim. If, however, you feel there are reasons that you were disproportionately impacted by the disruption, you may still submit a Good Cause claim. If the technical difficulties occur in an invigilated online exam, seek initial guidance from an invigilator or attending staff member in the first instance. If the issue cannot be resolved, you may then be advised to submit a Good Cause claim.

In-Person Exam Checklist

Before the exam

In advance of the exam, make sure you know:

On the day

  • Make sure you eat a healthy meal and stay hydrated
  • Make sure you have water to bring into the exam venue. However, please make sure all labels have been removed from the bottle: this is to ensure you cannot be accused of cheating
  • Give yourself plenty of time to get onto campus and to find the exam venue, whether it is on campus or elsewhere
  • Don't forget to have pens/pencils/rulers etc. in your bag (answer papers will be provided)
  • Bring your student card

Just before the exam

  • Remember that exam conditions apply as soon as you enter the venue.
  • Ensure you have turned off and put away all electronic devices (phones / tablets / smart watches / fitness trackers / earphones) and put them out of reach either in a closed bag or on the floor. The invigilator will direct you to whether you can store your belongings: either at the front of the hall, or under your desk.
  • You may place a basic watch - i.e. one that shows the time and date only - on your desk. No watches of any type are to be worn or kept in pockets
  • Put away any notes / dictionaries in your bag and close it
  • Ensure you have all the stationery you require to hand on your desk. You will not be allowed to access your belongings during the exam
  • Complete the front of your exam answer booklets
  • Do not turn the exam paper over until the invigilator tells you to do so

During the exam

  • Read all the exam questions thoroughly, and make sure you allocate sufficient time to each question in order to complete the paper
  • Double-check your answers and that you have answered the correct number of questions
  • Keep an eye on the clock, so you know how much time you have left