On-campus written exams

Information about how your on-campus written exam will run, including venue details, what to bring, and what to expect on the day.

Venue

Your personal exam timetable in my.unimelb will list the venue for your exam.

Further information about facilities and services for each venue are listed below.

Locations and seat numbers

  • Royal Exhibition Building (REB)
    • The Royal Exhibition Building (REB) is in the Carlton Gardens next to the Melbourne Museum.
    • All exams enter via the north entrance (opposite the museum). Doors open 15 minutes prior to the official exam start time.
    • Your timetable will show which side of the building your exam will be (East on Nicholson Street, or West on Rathdowne Street), but venue staff will direct you to your seat.

    Maps



    Download seating map (PDF 246.9 KB)

    Facilities and services

    • Bathroom facilities: Toilets are available in the building once doors open.
    • First aid and medical assistance: There are medics onsite at the venue should you need assistance.
    • Parking: There is no parking at the REB, but paid parking is available in the Melbourne Museum carpark located in Carlton (enter via Rathodowne Street or Nicholson Street).
    • Public Transport: The closest tram stop is Melbourne Museum/Nicholson St #11 on tram route 86 and 96, which stops directly outside the REB. The closest train station is Parliament Station, approximately seven minutes walk away from the REB. Bus routes 250, 251 and 402 travel to Melbourne Museum/Rathdowne St. View nearby stops and stations here.
    • Bags: Limited bag storage will be available outside the venue. We recommend only bringing essential items as there is limited storage space and often lengthy wait times to collect items.

    Many rows of individual chairs and tables for exams, with signs reading "West"

  • Kwong Lee Dow Building
    • The Kwong Lee Dow Building is located at 234 Queensberry St, on the corner of Leicester St and Queensberry St. It is a five-minute walk from Gate 10 of the main Parkville Campus.
    • The entrance for exams is off Leicester St. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the official exam start time.
    • Bathroom facilities are available in the building.
    • Field and medical assistance is available; medics will be on site at the venue.
    • Public Transport: There are multiple public transport options, check the stops and stations nearby to 234 Queensberry St.
    • Bags: Bags will be stored in the foyer area of the building. As this area is unsecured, we recommend only bringing essential items as there is limited storage space and often lengthy wait times to collect items.

    Many rows of individual chairs and desks for exams.

  • Wilson Hall
    • Wilson Hall is located on campus at the corner of Monash Road and Wilson Avenue. It is a five-minute walk from Gate 10 of the main Parkville Campus.
    • The entrance for exams is via the northern doors, which face Raymond Priestly Building. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the official exam start time.
    • Bathroom facilities are available in the building.
    • Field and medical assistance is available; medics will be on site at the venue.
    • Public Transport: There are multiple public transport options, the closest tram stop is Melbourne University/Swanston St #1.
    • Bags: Bags will be stored in the foyer area of the building.  As this area is unsecured, we recommend only bringing essential items as there is limited storage space and often lengthy wait times to collect items.

    Many rows of individual chairs and tables for exams, facing a huge mural in Wilson Hall.

  • Clash and Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEAs)

    Clash venues and Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEAs) for written campus exams will be held at an available venue on the Parkville campus. Venue details will be included in your personal timetables where applicable.

  • Seat numbers

    Check for your seat number (for each exam) on your personal exam timetable via my.unimelb.

    If you can’t see a seat number for one or more of your exams, don’t worry! Seat numbers are released closer to the date of your exam – just keep checking your timetable.

    Seating plans are also displayed at the exam venue on the day.

What to bring to your exam

Bring your student card

You must have your student card at your exam. If you don’t have a student card, you will need to order a student card here.

If you have lost your student card, you can bring a hard copy of your Statement of Enrolment (available via my.unimelb) and acceptable photo ID as proof of your identity.  You must have other photo ID – this cannot be a photo or a copy. Your acceptable photo ID must be one of the following:

  • Passport
  • Australia state or territory issued drivers licence
  • Australian state or territory issued proof of identity card

Permitted materials

Only permitted materials are allowed on your desk and other items must be stored correctly, as per the University’s Assessments and Results Policy. Exam supervisors will confiscate unauthorised materials if it appears that you are using them improperly.

  • Items you can use during your exam
    • Something to write with, including pens, rulers, either loose or in a clear plastic bag. Pens are strongly preferred. Liquid pens and correction tape can be used; however, bottles of whiteout are not permitted.
    • Mathematical instruments including stencils to draw shapes, protractors, either loose or in clear plastic bag. No pencil cases permitted.
    • Water can be in a clear or unlabeled bottle, with no writing or text allowed.
    • Pharmaceutical medications.
    • Valuable items (including wallets, passports, keys, mobile phones and laptops) are permitted but must remain under your desk and switched off throughout the entire exam.
    • Other items approved by the University under special examination requirements, such as ergonomic supports, heat packs, diabetes testing kits and technology customised to individual student needs (eg Braille note computer). Food can only be brought into the venue if required for medical reasons.
  • Items you can’t use during your exam

    Unless otherwise authorised, i.e. advised by your subject coordinator and it is stated on the exam cover page as a permitted item, you can’t access the following during your exam:

    • Food (unless approved for medical purposes).
    • Drinks other than water. Coffee and energy drinks are not allowed. Water can be in a clear or unlabeled bottle, with no writing or text allowed.
    • Calculators (unless permitted by your subject coordinator. If permitted, calculators must not be used during reading time). The University-approved calculator is the Casio FX82 (any suffix). No other models of calculators will be permitted unless otherwise specified on your exam paper or by your subject coordinator. You are required to purchase your own calculator and are responsible for ensuring your calculator is in good working order with fresh batteries.
    • Dictionaries (unless permitted by your subject coordinator. If permitted, dictionaries must not be used during reading time).
    • Pencil cases.
    • Notepads or loose sheets of paper.
    • Textbooks or course notes.
    • Diaries.
    • Analogue and digital watches. No watches are permitted to be worn during your exam.
    • Personal electronic devices, including mobile devices, music players, computers, iPads and smart watches, except the University-approved Casio FX82. These items must be switched off and placed on the floor under your desk for the duration of the exam.
  • Open book exams

    If you have an open book exam, your lecturer will advise what materials you can use during the exam. This information will also appear on the cover page of the exam.

    You must keep large textbooks under your desk when they are not in use.

    Electronic devices containing reference material are not permitted.

  • Lost property

    Lost property will be held at the exam venue until the next business day. If you can’t collect your items the next business day, they will be passed on to the UMSU Info Centre at the end of each week.

Exam rules

  • You must follow the Academic Integrity guidelines.
  • No talking to other students during your exam.
  • Turn off­ your mobile completely and place it under your desk.
  • 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.
  • Only permitted materials are allowed on your desk and other items must be stored correctly (refer to what to bring).
  • No sharing of notes or materials.
  • You must not leave your seat during your exam without permission from an exam supervisor.
  • Remove everything from your pockets before going to the bathroom. If you are caught taking anything (such as notes or your phone) to the toilet, you will be reported to your faculty.
  • You can’t leave the venue in the first 30 minutes of the exam or in the last 15 minutes of the exam.
  • You must not take any paper materials with you when leaving the venue.

What happens during your written campus exam

  • Arriving at the exam venue
    • Arrive at the exam venue at least 15 minutes prior to the official exam start time.
    • If you’re unsure of your seat number, confirm it via the printed exam seating charts available
    • Get your student ID ready. If you’ve lost your ID, get your acceptable form of photo ID and an electronic copy of your Statement of Enrolment ready.
    • Make sure you have the materials you need. Once you enter the venue, you can’t leave.
    • Take out your phone/electronic devices and switch them off. This includes smart watches.
  • Entering the exam venue
    • Doors open 15 minutes before the official exam start time.
    • Walk in and take your seat. If you can’t find it, speak with a staff member wearing a vest (any colour). Remember once you’re in, you can’t leave the venue!
    • Read the sticker on your desk. There are instructions on what can and can’t be on your desk. Place only permitted items on your desk. This includes your ID, which must be placed next to your seat number on the desk.
    • Store your valuables under the desk, including laptops, phones, tablets and smart watches. All your electronic devices must be switched off. Your phone must remain switched off until you are outside the venue.
    • Do not open your exam paper or touch your exam until you are given permission to do so by an announcement over the loudspeaker.

    Example of a desk with exam paper, multiple choice answer sheet and script books.

    Example of desk arrangement with exam paper and script books.

  • Start of your exam: reading time
    • Most exams have a reading time of 15 minutes. If you've been allocated 30 minutes, you will be given separate instructions before your exam. Reading time allows you to familiarise yourself with the exam paper before the exam officially begins.
    • The start of reading time will be announced over the loudspeaker.
    • If you have a question about the content of your exam paper, put up your hand and the examiner for your subject will be on hand to answer your question.
    • Unless otherwise indicated on the front cover of your exam paper, do not use calculators or write on your exam paper or forms during this time. Otherwise, your papers will be replaced and you may be reported to your faculty.
  • Start of writing time
    • Write your name and student ID on every form – this takes about 2 minutes. You will not be given extra time at the end of the exam to fill this in, so do this at the start.
    • If you have questions, feel unwell, need water or want to go to the toilet, raise your hand for assistance.
    • It will be announced when you have 15 and then 10 minutes left of the exam.
    • If you finish early, put up your hand and a supervisor will come over to you. Please note you cannot leave in the last 15 minutes of the exam.
  • End of your exam
    • There will be an announcement which will instruct you to stop writing. You must stop immediately or you will be reported to your faculty. This includes writing your name and ID on your forms.
    • Place every paper that you have been issued with, including question papers, script books, answer sheets, graph paper and formulae sheets inside the cover of a single script book. A supervisor will collect these from you shortly. You're not allowed to take any exam papers with you.
    • You need to wait in your seat until it is announced that you can leave. During this time you’re not allowed to talk or use your phone.
    • Once you can leave, collect any belongings and exit quietly.

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