Exam rules

As a student, it is your responsibility to understand and abide by the exam rules.

Exam compliance

It’s your responsibility to comply with these exam rules and all other assessment policies, student conduct policies and academic integrity policies. If you do not follow the exam rules and the instructions for your exam, you can be reported for alleged academic misconduct.

  • You must take your exam in the scheduled format and location (check your personal exam timetable for more details)
  • You must obey and observe all directions given by exam supervisors or communicated by written, audio or digital announcement
  • Do not communicate with other students during your exam
  • You can’t leave the venue in the first 30 minutes of writing/typing time or in the last 15 minutes of the exam
  • No part of the exam paper can be removed from the venue or photographed.

Exam entry

  • You must bring your University student identification card with you (Refer to What to bring for further detail)
  • Power off your mobile phones completely before entering the venue and place them under your desk
  • Only permitted materials are allowed on your desk and other items must be stored correctly (What to bring). All watches or digital devices must be stored under the desk
  • Possession of unauthorised materials in an exam may constitute misconduct.  Any unauthorised material or item on your desk, chair, person or in your pockets will be deemed to be in your possession and will be referred to the academic misconduct process under the University’s Student Academic Integrity Policy
  • Your identity will be checked during your exam. You may be asked to remove headwear to verify your identity or for other academic integrity reasons. If you wear a face-covering for religious reasons, you will be offered the option to complete your identification in a private area
  • Your student ID will be recorded if you arrive after the start of reading time
  • Writing related to exam content that is observed on skin, clothing, or personal items is prohibited and considered a breach of exam rules.

During exam time

  • During reading time there must be no writing, making notes, selecting answers or typing in any way, unless otherwise specified on your exam cover sheet
  • When directed, write your student number on the cover sheet, student declaration form, and on any script books or answer pages
  • Blue scrap paper is for informal working notes or correction clarifications only. These will be collected and destroyed at the end of the session
  • You must not leave your seat during your exam without permission from an exam supervisor
  • No sharing of notes or materials
  • You cannot receive any assistance from any type of 3rd party (person, software or other) to complete your exam
  • Take your identification with you when going to the bathroom as your student ID will be noted. Remove jackets and everything from your pockets before leaving your seat. If it is discovered you have taken anything (such as notes or your phone) to the bathroom, you will be referred to the academic misconduct process under the University’s Student Academic Integrity Policy
  • You must cease writing and typing when instructed to do so by a supervisor or venue announcement
  • Students must remain silent and seated in their place at the end of the exam until all exam responses have been collected and checked, and an announcement is made permitting students to leave the examination room.

Digital exam rules

  • Accessing your digital exam outside of your scheduled exam venue and time is a breach of exam rules
  • Accessing any links/information outside of the exam portal is a breach of exam rules
  • Raise your hand immediately if you lose connection to the Wi-Fi
  • Your screen brightness must be at a level which can be viewed by exam supervisors
  • Digital exams must be connected through UniWireless and no other Wi-Fi network when sitting your digital exam
  • Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is not permitted during your exam
  • All digital exams must be completed in English (unless it is a language exam). Device language settings must be set to English to ensure compatibility with exam instructions and supervisor monitoring.

Avoid academic misconduct

The University of Melbourne is committed to academic integrity across all forms of assessment.

Academic integrity means acting with core values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.

There are serious consequences for students who are found to have breached examination rules or directions or otherwise sought to gain an unfair advantage during an exam.

Cheating in an exam, either by copying or colluding with other students, by using unauthorised notes, devices (such as mobile phones), tools (such as unauthorised digital tools) or by deliberately attempting to undermine the exam rules in any way to gain an advantage, is considered academic misconduct.

The University is proactive in detecting cheating during exams. This includes:

  • Monitoring by staff and exam supervisors for suspected exam rule breaches
  • The use of technology to monitor and detect breaches
  • Collecting and using data about your presence or activity while you are attending University-controlled examination or assessment environments, including digital environments. Collected data may include data about your location or movement, authentication and authorisation of your presence and student credentials, and the presence, detection, or use of device(s) that are connected via your student account or attributed to you within that controlled environment.  The University manages your personal information in accordance with the Student Privacy Statement.
  • University staff may take photographic evidence of suspected rule breaches and will confiscate unauthorised materials such as notes.
  • Supporting students to confidentially report suspected breaches.

Any observed breaches of exam rules are reported to your faculty.

Further information