Examinations

Exams are an important part of assessment for CQUniversity courses.  The University has six exam periods per academic year: February, April, June, August, October and December.

Exam procedures are in the Assessment of Coursework Policy on the CQUniversity policy website at http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do.

Definitions

Go to the exam definitions page for explanation of definitions used here.

Exam advice

All students have access to their own personalised exam schedule via CQUcentral.  If unable to access CQUcentral contact the Student Contact Centre on 13CQUni (13 27 86) for assistance.  Should any information appear incorrect, and/or changes be required, students should notify the Examinations Section immediately.  Failure to notify the Examinations Section of any changes and/or concerns may jeopardise a student's exam candidature.

Exam timetable

All formal exams prepared under the Executive Director (Corporate Services) directions will be conducted during the official exam periods as approved by Academic Board, and indicated on the calendar of principal dates.

Staff and students, when reviewing the draft timetable for each term, will have one week (five working days) in which to provide comment to the Co-ordinator, Examinations and Timetabling prior to production of a final timetable. For further information regarding exam timetabling, refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Publication of exam timetable

Draft and final exam timetables are published for standard exam periods. Only final exam timetables are published for deferred/supplementary exam periods.

The draft exam timetable is published on the CQUniversity website at http://timetabling.cqu.edu.au/  usually in Week 5 of the term. 

The final exam timetable is published on the CQUniversity website at http://timetabling.cqu.edu.au/ usually in Week 6 of the term.

Exam centres

All active exam centres are available for selection by students via CQUcentral. If unable to access CQUcentral contact the Student Contact Centre on 13CQUni (13 27 86).  If an active exam centre is not available within 150km of a student's residential address, a new centre can be established by completing a Nomination Form to Create an Examination Centre which can be accessed via the CQUniversity Student Forms website at http://studentforms.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=7821.

Selection of exam centres must be finalised six weeks before the exam period begins. In exceptional circumstances the Examinations Section will endeavour to make changes to an exam centre outside the above deadline, however, changes cannot be made within 14 days before the exam period begins.

Internal students, as defined by their program attendance, are required to attend exams at the campus of their enrolment. Requests for permission to attend exams at another CQUniversity campus or external exam centre should be submitted to the Examinations Section six weeks before the exam period begins and must be accompanied by full supporting documentation. Only in exceptional circumstances will an internal student be permitted to attend an exam at another centre.

Students wishing to change their exam centre must make their request in writing, with supporting documentary evidence, to the Co-ordinator, Examinations and Timetabling. The change of centre fee is $30 per examinable course and must be paid upfront before the request is processed.

Invigilator responsibility

Exam invigilators are empowered to give directions to students concerning the conduct of exams. They are, on behalf of the Executive Director (Corporate Services), in control of the exam room. Invigilators will instruct students when to enter the room, commence perusal, commence the exam and when the exam is finished.

It is important that invigilators are alert to any unusual situations in an exam to prevent students from gaining unfair assistance. Invigilators cannot physically search or otherwise bodily handle a student who may be suspected of having concealed unauthorised material. However an invigilator may quietly request a student to roll up a sleeve, stand up, lift a jumper, empty pockets etc. and will report any non-compliance with such requests, all instances of suspicious behaviour and alleged academic misconduct.

Exam times

The official start time for formal CQUniversity exams is 9.00 am and 2.00 pm.

Therefore, allowing a settling-in period and perusal time prior to the official start time, students may enter the exam room at 8.35 am and 1.35 pm. Students should arrive at their exam venue prior to 8.35 am for morning sessions and 1.35 pm for afternoon sessions.

Perusal time

Perusal time for all exams is 15 minutes. Perusal time is held before the designated official start time of the exam.

For further information regarding perusal time refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Settling-in period

A ten-minute 'settling-in' period is permitted, prior to perusal time, for students to make themselves comfortable and to read the notices around the room.

During this period the students may complete the front of their exam answer booklet and attendee card, if required.

Students should arrive at their exam centre in sufficient time to allow settling in and perusal prior to commencement of exams at 9.00am and 2.00pm (i.e. 8.35 am and 1.35 pm).

Exam attendance

Students, when attending an exam, will be deemed to have attended (sat) the exam if they enter the exam room and are present during perusal time or any time after that.

Students must decide before entering the exam room whether or not they are able and well enough to attend the exam.

For further information regarding attendance at an exam, refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Exam room entry/exit restrictions

When attending formal exams, students are allowed to enter the exam room up to 30 minutes after the official start time of the exam. That is, students may enter the exam room up until 9.30 am for morning sessions and 2.30 pm for afternoon sessions. Conversely, any students who are already in the exam room are not permitted to leave until one hour after the official start time of the exams.

Students are not eligible to apply for a deferred exam on the basis of missing the formal exam due to factors within their control such as, misreading the exam timetable/advice or poor planning leading to failure to get to the exam on time.

For further information regarding late entry to exams refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Student conduct

Students may only take basic writing materials and authorised materials into the exam room, as indicated on the Exam Cover Page. Unauthorised materials, such as bags or briefcases of any description, may not be taken into the exam area. Items of this nature will be stored, at the student's own risk, in an area established for this purpose by the invigilator.

All students must have a current CQUniversity student identification card to enter the exam room.

Students are not to leave the exam room without the invigilator's permission and are to remain seated until the invigilator has granted permission to exit the room.

Mobile phones and other electronic devices capable of circumventing the objectives of exams are not permitted in the exam room and are to be surrendered in accordance with the invigilator's instructions.

Students are not permitted to eat or smoke during an exam.

Students may only bring drinking water into the exam room in clear, plastic, non-labelled bottles.

For further information regarding student conduct refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Student responsibility

Students must be aware it is their responsibility to ensure correct knowledge of exam dates, times and locations. Such information should be taken from their personal exam schedule on CQUcentral. Failure to do so, including misreading the timetable, will not under any circumstances constitute grounds for granting a deferred exam.

Students must attend their exam at the scheduled dates and times. Requests to attend earlier or later will be refused other than in exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control (e.g. subpoenaed to appear in court).

Students should not arrange marriage or other ceremonies, vacations or special occasions, which will coincide with CQUniversity formal exam periods. These events will not be accepted as the sole grounds for granting a deferred exam. Students must ensure they check the University's calendar of principal dates and the final timetable before making any arrangements.

Students who have a dual enrolment with another university and find they have a clash with that university's exams may not be granted deferred exams, if this is the sole reason. Students with exam clashes should contact the Examinations Section immediately to discuss options.

Students must not purchase tickets for overseas or vacation travel before completing their exams.

Students with a pre-existing disability or chronic illness who require special exam conditions must register with the Student Support Centre no later than Week 3 of the term. The only exception to this would be those students who can demonstrate that there had been a change in their circumstances warranting late registration. This advice must be provided no later than 21 days before the exam period begins. Failure to notify the Examination Section of your circumstances will result in your attendance at the exam without accommodation. Supporting documentation from a doctor, therapist or another appropriate professional must be provided upon registration.

Students have a responsibility to pay any outstanding CQUniversity debts that they have incurred, including change of exam centre fees. Sanctions will be applied to all students who are debtors of the University (i.e. students will not receive any academic documentation, including exam results).

Exam papers

Instructions given to students on the cover page of the exam paper, under the title of 'Special Instructions to Students' are to be strictly adhered to. These instructions are binding regulations for the exams. Any variation, by the student, from these instructions may result in the forfeiture of marks.

Exam papers are not released directly to students at the end of their exams. All exam papers are collected and accounted for by the invigilator at the end of the exam.

Copies of past years' exam papers (subject to release by the course coordinator/lecturer) will be available through the CQUniversity Past Exam Papers website at http://examinations.cqu.edu.au .

Deferred exams

Before lodging an application for a deferred exam, students should familiarise themselves fully with the definitions of 'misadventure' and 'normal risk' as outlined in the Examination Definitions in this handbook. Students should note that only those applications for deferred exams which satisfy and comply with the deferred exam procedures will be considered.

The faculty with academic ownership of the course is responsible for assessing deferred examination applications in that course. In the first instance the lecturer of the course is to acknowledge completion of all other assessable coursework prior to a final decision on approval of the deferred examination being undertaken by the Executive Dean (or nominee) of the respective faculty.

Following faculty approval, deferred exams are to be attended at the next exam period scheduled on the CQUniversity academic calendar.

Students will only be permitted one attempt at a deferred exam for a course.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure their deferred exam application is referred to the relevant faculty with supporting documentary evidence.

Students, whose applications are based on medical or allied health grounds, are to complete Form 1, Application for Deferred Examination - Medical . Students, whose applications are based on circumstances other than medical or allied health grounds are to complete Form 2, Application for Deferred Examination - Other.

Although CQUniversity may grant a deferred exam to its international students, the Australian Government, not the University, determines student visa requirements. International students could breach their visa requirements if they attend a deferred exam date beyond the period of their visa. Students should check their visa status with the relevant Australian Government authority.

For further information on deferred exam applications refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Special consideration

Students who consider their performance in an exam has been adversely affected by illness, disability or other exceptional circumstances and believe they would have failed the course may apply for special consideration.

Students must lodge an Application for Special Consideration in Exam form with the invigilator on the day of the exam or with the faculty no later than five working days (i.e. seven consecutive dates) after the exam. All applications must be supported by documentary evidence.

Applications will be referred to the Executive Dean (or nominee) for a decision.

Special consideration will only be applied where the student would have failed the course as a result of their performance in the exam. In this situation the student may be given an opportunity to undertake further assessment, normally a supplementary exam.

Students should refer to the procedures for completing a medical certificate or statutory declaration in the section on special consideration in the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Special exam arrangements

Permanent disabilities

Consideration will be given to requests for special exam arrangements for students with permanent disabilities. All enquiries regarding special exam arrangements for students with permanent disabilities should be directed to the Student Support Centre.

Temporary incapacity

Consideration will be given to requests for special exam arrangements for students who may be temporarily incapacitated or hospitalised during the exam period (i.e. students have a condition which has occurred at the time of the exam period not an ongoing medical condition or disability).

All requests for special exam arrangements resulting from a temporary incapacity or hospitalisation should be directed to the Student Support Centre, accompanied by a medical certificate or other documentary evidence as may be appropriate.

Use of dictionaries during exams

All students will be permitted to use one unannotated, concise, bilingual translation dictionary in exams. The dictionary must be an original print, not a photocopy. Electronic dictionaries are not permitted in the exam room.

All students, whether English speaking or from a non-English speaking background, are not permitted to use standard English dictionaries or thesauruses.

For further information on use of dictionaries in exams refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Use of calculators during exams

Students are not permitted to take a calculator into an exam room, except in those exams where permission for its use has been given and has been stated on the Exam Cover Page. The calculator shall be non-programmable and of non-communicable type with no alphanumeric capabilities, unless otherwise specified on the front of the exam paper. Students are not permitted to use their calculators during perusal time.

For further information on use of calculators during exams, refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Restricted materials and open/closed book exams

The exam cover page will advise one of the following:

Open book - any materials may be brought into the exam room, except English language dictionaries, which are not permitted.

Restricted materials - certain materials are permitted into the exam room and are listed on the Exam Cover Page. Materials not listed on the Exam Cover Page are not permitted into the exam room.

Closed book - no materials are permitted in the exam room.

Note: ‘materials' refers to paper materials only (either handwritten or typed). Any electronic device which is capable of circumventing the exam process is not permitted.

For further information on restricted material or open and closed book exams, refer to the Assessment of Coursework Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do.

Misconduct

Alleged instances of student academic misconduct during exams will be dealt with according to student discipline provisions in CQUniversity's Academic Misconduct - Student Policy (http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do).

Non-enrolment in course

No student shall be permitted to attend, or be entitled to receive a grade for, exams in courses for which they are not enrolled.

Further CQUniversity academic policies can be accessed on the University policy website at http://policy.cqu.edu.au/Policy/policy_list.do.