If Things Go Wrong

What to do if you experience problems before or on the day of your exam.

Forgotten Student ID

You cannot take your exam without a valid form of photo ID. If you do not have your student ID (smartcard) you can show your driving licence or your passport instead.

If you do not have any photo ID, you should report to one of the following ID Checking Points before your exam:

Student Services Helpdesk, Level 2, King's Gate Building (Level 1 for Saturday exams)
Castle Leazes Reception

Late Arrival

You will not be allowed to enter the exam venue more than 15 minutes after the start of an exam. If you miss your exam you should tell your School Office.

Extreme Weather Conditions

If weather conditions make it impossible for you to attend an exam, then you will need to complete the Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC) Form and produce a copy of a weather report and/or travel warnings covering the route and time frame. In these circumstances, contact your School Office for further advice.

Injuries, Illness and Other Unforeseen Circumstances

Visit Alternative Arrangements if your ability to take an exam is affected by:

temporary injury
short term medical condition
unforeseen and unavoidable personal circumstances

If you become unwell during your exam and this results in you needing to leave without completing the paper, you are advised to notify your personal tutor or other appropriate staff of this within the same day wherever possible.

Know the Rules

To prevent assessment irregularities, familiarise yourself with the university Exam Rules & Guidance.

If you don't follow the exam rules you may lose marks, receive a fine or even face suspension.

Some examples of exam misconduct, as well as possible penalties, are detailed below.

View the Assessment Irregularities Procedure.

Examples of exam misconduct

Before the exam has started:

Opening the exam paper
Writing notes/formula on the exam stationery or paper
The possession of any non-permitted items at your exam desk (see What to take to your exam desk (PDF: 392kb))

During the exam:

Failing to follow any instructions given by an invigilator
Impersonating another candidate or allowing yourself to be impersonated
Attempting to pass work off as your own (ie not providing appropriate acknowledgements)
Looking at or copying the work of another candidate or allowing another candidate to copy from you
Communicating with other candidates whilst in the exam venue (including after the exam has finished)
Leaving the exam venue during the first 60 minutes or the last 30 minutes of your exam

After the exam:

Continuing to write after the end of the exam has been announced
Removing official Newcastle University stationery from the exam room or the exam paper (unless permitted to do so)
Leaving the exam venue without the permission of an invigilator

Examples of Penalties

Sanctions

Some sanctions that can be applied for exam assessment irregularities include, but are not limited to, a:

mark of zero for the whole assessment
mark of zero for one or more modules
mark of zero for the future calculation of stage averages and degree classification
referral to a Disciplinary Committee (who have the power to suspend or expel a student from the University)

In addition to the above, or for less serious cases, students may also be issued with a caution (if the irregularity is deemed insignificant), or a written/final warning. Please note that any sanctions imposed may be recorded on your student file and could potentially be included in any future references you may require from the University.

Possession of a mobile phone/device or unauthorised notes:

The University normally regards the possession of a mobile phone/device or unauthorised notes to be a serious assessment irregularity, even if the device is switched off and there is no evidence of use or intent to use. The minimum penalty is usually a mark of zero for the exam.