The University offers help and support to students who are preparing for exams. We encourage you to access the support available to enable you to maximise your academic potential.
What is an exam irregularity?
An examination irregularity occurs when a student:
- Seeks to improve their performance in an examination by accessing, or attempting to access, material not listed on the front of the question paper (the rubric).
- Fails to follow the oral or written instructions for the examination, either given on the question paper or by the Invigilator.
- Possesses or accesses non-permitted materials during an examination, including mobile devices and notes
- Communicating or attempting to communicate with another party (except invigilators) during an examination
- Creates a disturbance during an exam.
Avoiding exam irregularities
We want your exams to go as smoothly as possible, so we have put together an easy guide to exam conduct to ensure you know what the rules are and what is expected of you.
Students often feel under pressure during exam time and may be concerned that they will not perform to their academic potential. The University encourages you to access the support services provided rather than risking a serious penalty by trying to get an unfair advantage in exams though the use of unauthorised materials.
If you are stressed about exams and find it hard to cope, the University Mental Health and Wellbeing Service has online resources to help you manage anxiety and overcome procrastination. The Academic Skills Centre offer advice on efficient revision and examination preparation. If you are experiencing other difficulties, you can speak to your Wellbeing Officer about the possibility of deferring the examinations, or the Extenuating Circumstances procedures.
The investigation process
Initial procedure
An independent Student Conduct Officer will investigate each allegation of an exam irregularity. You will have an interview with the Investigating Officer, who will make a decision, based on the evidence, about how to proceed. The Investigating Officer may decide to deal with your case in one of the following ways:
- By deciding that no further action is required
- By issuing an advisory letter (where a Minor Concern has occurred)
- By deciding that a Moderate Examination Irregularity has occurred and asking an academic member of staff to decide on an academic sanction
- By Referring it to the College Misconduct Committee where the examination irregularity is deemed to be serious
Our guidelines, Guidelines on exam irregularities (PDF - 65 KB), explain more about the initial investigation process.
During this process a 'Hold' may be placed on your student record. As a result, your marks may not be formally processed or released to you online and your progression or graduation may be affected.
If the Investigating Officer decides that a Moderate Examination Irregularity has occurred, one of the following sanctions can be imposed:
- allowing the examination mark to stand
- resubmission of, or another attempt at the assessment with the mark capped no lower than the pass mark
- reducing the examination mark and permitting a resit which may be capped at the pass mark or a mark which would enable progression
- reducing the examination mark with no opportunity to resit
If you do not wish to accept the outcome of a Moderate Examination Irregularity, your case will be referred to a College Misconduct Committee.
Referral to College Misconduct Committee
If, based on the evidence, the Officer considers that your case is serious it will be referred to a College Misconduct Committee. This Committee will hear your case in strict accordance with the Code of Practice on Misconduct and Fitness to Practise Committee to ensure fairness. We will send you a copy of this Code of Practice before the Committee and you should read it carefully so that you know what to expect. Further information about what happens and how to prepare for a College Misconduct Committee can be found on the College Misconduct and Fitness to Practise Committee webpage.
Sanctions
The University takes all instances of exam irregularity very seriously. A range of sanctions can be applied if you are found, based on evidence, to have committed an irregularity.
If your case is referred to a College Misconduct Committee and Academic Misconduct is found proven, a range of sanctions could be applied, which may include:
- engaging with appropriate remedial tuition
- allowing the examination mark to stand
- reducing the examination mark and permitting a resit which may be capped at the pass mark or a mark which would enable progression
- reducing the examination mark with no opportunity to resit
- reducing the module mark and permitting a futher attempt to pass the module (with the module mark capped at the pass mark or a mark which would enable progression)
- reducing the module mark with no opportunity of a further attempt to pass the module
- limit the award of a postgraduate certificate, diploma or degree to a pass or merit
- reduce the degree classification
- suspension for up to one year
- withdrawal from the University, with an award
- withdrawal from the University, without an award
Appealing the decision
You may appeal in writing within 15 working days against the decision of the College Misconduct Committee, specifying the grounds of appeal. Further information and the form to complete is on the Appeals to the University Misconduct and Fitness to Practise Committee page.
All cases will be recorded on the Student Conduct database and this information will be retained in accordance with the departmental record retention policy. Any documentation we receive will normally be held for a period of 7 years before it is confidentially disposed of. Your personal data will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation and our data privacy policy: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/privacy/students.aspx
We know that the investigation can be a very stressful time for you. Use our sources of help and support to find the help you need, whether it is advice on the process or simply someone to talk to.