Online exam guidance

Preparing for the exam

• Read all guidance provided in advance and know who to contact in case of any technical issues during the exam.
• Read the University's exam rules and regulations - these apply during online timed exams.
• Make sure you have the internet browser recommended by your School - some exam platforms perform better on certain browsers.
• Where possible, close all other applications on your computer to ensure the exam runs smoothly and doesn't crash.
• You may find it helpful to replicate exam conditions in your environment - clear your desk, ensure comfort and privacy, and have a clock / timer in easy view.
• Your course should give you access to a mock exam. If you're unsure where this practice area is, contact your programme team.

During the exam

Timed Blackboard exams will usually be available for at least 24 hours. Your exam time starts when you click 'Begin' and once you start there is a fixed period of time to complete the exam. You must do it in one sitting - you cannot pause, or leave and re-enter later. 

Throughout the exam, the remaining time appears on a status bar. Timer warnings appear when half the time, 5 minutes, 1 minute, and 30 seconds remain. If you prefer, you can minimise the timer.

If the questions appear one at a time, you need to click 'submit' before moving on to the next question. If you move on without clicking submit your answer will be automatically saved (even if you haven’t chosen an answer). You may be able to go back and review your answers, and make changes, before completing the exam.

Do not close the text window before you’ve finished, as your exam will be automatically submitted even if you haven’t answered all the questions. The guidance provided by your programme team should include details of when the exam will be available and how long you have to complete it.

When the timer ends

Some exams will allow you to continue after the timer has ended, while others will automatically submit your exam when the time is up - this is set in advance by your instructor. The guidance provided before your exam should tell you whether you can continue after the timer ends.

• If you are allowed to continue after the timer ends (for example, to allow for any technical difficulties), note that any submissions made after the timer ends will be flagged as late and you will need to provide evidence of the reason for that lateness.

• If you are not allowed to continue after the timer ends, your exam will automatically submit when the time is up - even if you haven’t answered all the questions. In this case you should make sure to allow yourself time towards the end to review and submit your answers.

If you experience technical difficulties during the exam and Blackboard allows you continue beyond the time limit, you must choose 'Cancel' when you see the message "The time has expired. Press OK to save and submit. Click Cancel to continue the test." If your exam is affected by technical difficulties, evidence will be required if you decide to make a mitigating circumstances request.

DASS adjustments

If you are registered with the University's Disability Advisory and Support Service and have exam adjustments, any extra time will be added to your Blackboard timer automatically. This extra time will apply to the time period of the exam, but not the availability window. For example, in a 2 hour exam available for 24 hours:

• If you are allowed 25% extra time, then you would have 2 hours 30 minutes to complete the exam within the 24 hour window.
• If you are allowed rest breaks and/or toilet breaks, these are applied as an extra 10 minutes per hour for each. So if you have both types of break, this is 2 hours plus 20 minutes plus 20 minutes - a total 2 hours 40 minutes. You must still complete the exam within the 24 hour window.
• If you are allowed extra time, rest breaks and toilet breaks, this would be 2 hours plus 30 minutes plus 20 minutes plus 20 minutes - a total 3 hours and 10 minutes.

If you haven't been given extra time when you believe you should have, please contact your programme team as soon as possible.