On-campus exams
Find out how on-campus exams work, including what you can and can't bring and how to manage if something goes wrong on the day.
Feeling a bit anxious about exams? You're not alone. But remember – end-of-semester testing is just one way to demonstrate how well you understand your course material. The secret to staying calm during this period is preparation. Knowing what to expect will boost your confidence and help you stay on track.
Exam tips
Read your exam timetable carefully and add the dates and times to your diary or calendar. You must be available for your exams as scheduled. Work, travel, exam stress, social or family events and minor illnesses aren’t valid reasons to apply for deferment, and off-campus arrangements are only for students enrolled online courses.
Check your exam timetable to find a list of specific items that you're required or permitted to have on your desk, chair or person.
Photo ID
You must prove your identity at every exam. If you forget your student ID, you can present your driver licence or passport. If you don't have any photo ID:
- a supervisor might photograph you and send the image to the Exams Office
- a note will be made on your exam materials
- a breach notice will be issued and sent to your Federation institute.
If you leave the exam venue without verifying your identity or having a photo taken, your exam might not be marked.
Phones and electronic devices
You’re not allowed to have a phone or other electronic device (except an authorised calculator) on your desk during an exam. If you do bring your phone by mistake, switch it off and place it on the floor under your desk, visible to supervisors.
Dictionaries
You're allowed to use a bilingual dictionary in any exam (except language exams), provided it's unmarked and a hard copy (not electronic).
Water
You can have a bottle of water on your desk during an exam, but supervisors may inspect it at any time.
Food
Snacks should not be eaten during exams unless you have a formal personal adjustment that's been approved by Accessibility Services.
Feeling unwell
If you start an exam, it will be marked (even if you don't finish it). So if you're not feeling well on exam day and believe your illness will affect your performance, you should stay home and apply for special consideration straightaway.
Running late
If you're late for a paper-based written exam, any missed time is forfeited – you won't get extra time at the end. And if you're more than 30 minutes late, you won't be allowed to start at all. If you're running late for a practical exam, you should email the unit coordinator immediately in case you need supporting evidence if you apply for special consideration.
Changing your exam location
Not happy with your allocated exam location? Once the timetable is published, you'll have a two-week window to request a change. Keep in mind that some location changes incur a fee – details are on the request form.
We'll recommend the nearest exam centre or Federation campus as your exam location (within 150km of your address as listed in my Student Centre). You should confirm this or request a different location (via email) before timetable publication. However, if you change your mind later, you can fill out a location change request form.
You'll be assigned your enrolled campus as the location for all of your exams. However, if this isn't suitable, you can request to sit your exam/s elsewhere.
You'll be assigned your enrolled campus as the location for all of your exams. However, if this isn't suitable, you can request to sit your exam/s elsewhere.
Blended enrolments are not considered 'online' for exam purposes, so you'll be assigned your enrolled campus as the location for all of your exams. However, if this isn't suitable, you can request to sit your exam/s elsewhere.
Flexible enrolments are not considered 'online' for exam purposes, so you'll be assigned your enrolled campus as the location for all of your exams. However, if this isn't suitable, you can request to sit your exam/s elsewhere.
You'll be assigned your partner campus as the location for all of your exams (or a different location if you have ODL enrolments). However, if this isn't suitable, you can request to sit your exam/s elsewhere.
