Easy guide to good exam conduct

We want your exam to go as smoothly as possible, so read through this guide to ensure you know what the rules are and what is expected of you.

Be organised before your exams

Being organised before your exam can help with any worries or nervousness. We recommend that you:

• Check where your exam venue is in advance: your exam venue may be in a building that you are not familiar with.

• Remove any annotations, notes, paper, or post-it notes from texts: check your dictionaries, statute books or other permitted texts to ensure that they are clean.

• If you are permitted to take a calculator in to your exam, delete any stored items. Check with your school or department, whether you are allowed a calculator in the exam. 

• Put permitted stationery in a transparent pencil case: Pens, pencils and other permitted stationery items need to be in a transparent pencil case or clear plastic bag. Remove any correction tape/fluid (e.g. tippex) and notes from your pencil case as you cannot take these into an exam.

• Dress appropriately for the exam: some venues may feel warm and others may feel cooler, so consider wearing layers of clothing as you will not be allowed to wear a coat, jacket or scarf in the examination.

• Wear a simple (non-smart) wristwatch: if you think you may have problems seeing the clocks in the examination hall wear a wristwatch, as you won’t be allowed to use your mobile phone to check the time.

• Arrive at the examination hall early - this will give you time to sort out your belongings and go to the toilet before you go into the examination hall.

• Listen to the Invigilator’s announcements before you go into the hall – they are there to help you.

In the exam venue, before the exam starts

• Put your belongings in the designated area: This includes any scarfs, hats, coats or jackets. You are not allowed to keep your coat on the back of your chair.

• Make sure any phones or smart watches are completely switched off and place them under your desk or in a designated area: We would recommend that you do not take valuables such as a phone, smart watch, purse or wallet to the exam but if you do they must be stored correctly.

• Make sure that your hands/arms are clean and have no writing on them: if you have writing on your person, you MUST tell the Invigilator before the examination starts.

• Check your pockets: make sure you do not have any not permitted items, such as revision notes, papers, your phone, or any device that access or store information. If you do have something in your pockets that is not permitted or you are unsure about, you must tell the Invigilator before the exam starts.

• Listen carefully to the Invigilator’s instructions.

During the examination

• Raise your hand if there is a problem during the exam (for example, you cannot see the clock): the Invigilator will come to speak to you and support you with any issues. 

• Inform the Invigilator if you realise you have something on you that should not be permitted: you will usually be able to continue the exam but they may ask you some questions.

• Speak to the Invigilator if you are concerned about another student’s behaviour in the exam.

Further Information

For further advice on what you can and cannot take into an exam please visit the ‘What to bring into an exam' intranet page. 

You can also read more information about exam guidance.