Preparing for and attending your exams
Before you attend your face to face or online assessments and examinations it is important that you are prepared and know what is expected of you during this time.
Face to face
If you are sitting a face to face examination at a Curtin Campus you must show your Curtin student ID card, which is to be placed on their desk for Invigilators to check during reading time. If you are unable to obtain a student ID card, acceptable forms of identification include a Driver’s License, Passport or Government issued National Identification Card.
If you do not have any identification you will not be permitted entry to the examination venue, and will be directed to Curtin Connect to verify your identification. No additional time will be provided to sit the examination after your identification is verified, nor will you be admitted into the examination after the first hour has elapsed. Curtin Connect will operate extended opening hours during the examination period to facilitate this process, and provisions will be made for students who are unable to pay for their ID card at the time of issue.
If the examination is held at a location other than Perth Campus, a driver’s licence or passport is acceptable as photographic identification until an ID card can be obtained.
Online invigilated exams and eTests
You must display approved photo identification to the device camera for recording and confirmation by the invigilator.
You will need to clear show your Curtin Student ID card to verify your details throughout the authentication process. If you are unable to obtain a student ID card, acceptable forms of identification include a Driver’s License, Passport or Government issued National Identification Card.
Failure to display your approved photo identification to the device camera for recording and confirmation by the invigilator may result in misconduct, integrity warning and/or exam breach, as the invigilator needs to identify you.
To find out how to obtain your student ID card go to the student details and ID page.
Face to face examinations, practical and invigilated online exams will be conducted in venues that are conducive to the examination process.
Face to face
You are responsible for attending the correct venue for their examination as advised in the final timetable. You will be reminded to check that you are in the correct room at the commencement of every examination. If you do not identify themselves at that time to the invigilator, they may be in breach of the examination regulations.
Invigilators will permit students entry to the venue with sufficient time to be seated prior to commencement. You may complete the cover page of the answer book and the attendance card but will not make notes or write in the examination answer book until advised by the Invigilator.
In all examinations, a Valid Curtin Student Identification will be placed on the desk where it will be visible to Invigilators.
If, for any reason an examination commences late the students will not be disadvantaged. The full reading time and duration will not be reduced.
Online invigilated exams
Use a quiet room, that is well lit with limited background noise. No other people should be in the room (this may not be possible if you are taking the test in a public space such as the library for example). You should have clean desk or table, nothing on the desktop except the computer and the authorised material as per the Unit Outline or specified in the disclaimer statement for each test no other electronic devices.
Headwear (e.g., hats, caps, headphones, earmuffs, earpods) will not be worn during an
examination except those for medical, disability or obligatory religious requirements. Failure to follow these rules may result in misconduct, integrity warning and/or exam breach.
Do not leave the room during the test unless it is urgently required. Please contact your unit coordinator as soon as possible after the assessment if this was necessary.
Face to face
You will not:
- Be admitted into the venue after the first hour (including reading time) has expired,
- Leave the venue until one hour of the exam has expired,
- Leave the venue during the last 15 minutes of the exam,
- Be re-admitted to the venue after you have left unless, during the full period of their absence, they have been under approved supervision,
- Be granted additional time to complete the examination if you have arrived late.
In the event you are unable to complete a final examination due to illness or some other valid reason, you may apply for an Assessment Extension (refer to Inability to Complete a Final Examination procedure), along with supporting medical documents as Exam Invigilators call Curtin Security to escort you to Curtin Medical Facility B109.
You must hand in your examination script with your name and student ID number written on it even if you have not completed any of the paper.
Face to face
All examination durations will be stated in the Unit Outline.
Face to face examinations will normally be limited to a maximum of two hours duration, but may be approved to a maximum of hours.
Students with a Curtin Access Plan (CAP) will receive approved reasonable
adjustments, including modifications to examination duration, which will take precedence over standard or extended time durations.
There is an optional additional ten minute reading time for each examination in addition to the duration of the examination. If your exam has reading time, you may:
- use this time is to think, plan and organise your response to the examination paper
- make notes or highlight text, as directed on the front cover of the examination paper.
If you are sitting a face to face exam, you should arrive at your exam venue at least 20 minutes prior to the exam.
Invigilated online invigilated exams
Unless specified by accreditation requirements or approved, online invigilated examination/eTest durations will not exceed two hours and 15 minutes, of which 15 minutes will be allocated for student identity verification and test initialisation purposes.
Students who request an alternative arrangement based on a Curtin Access Plan (CAP) will be managed in accordance with approved reasonable adjustments, which may include modifications to examination duration.
You may be required to submit answers via a multiple choice answer sheet. Instructions will be provided on the answer sheet.
An information document [.pdf 197KB] has been established to assist you.
Conduct
You must adhere to examination instructions. Such instructions may define permitted
reference materials and expectations regarding academic referencing. During an examination, you will not:
- Communicate with any other student (unless required to do so);
- Obtain, or endeavour to obtain, unauthorised assistance in their work;
- Give, or endeavour to give, assistance to any other students; and
- Behave in such a manner inconsistent with the Student Charter or the instructions provided.
Further information about the regulations for the conduct of examinations and invigilated tests is available in the Assessment and Student Progression Manual (Consolidated Policy and Procedures).
If you undertakes any action that may be considered potential misconduct the matter may be dealt with as misconduct in accordance with Statute 10 and the relevant Rules.
Headwear (e.g., hats, caps, headphones, earmuffs, earpods) will not be worn during an
examination except those for medical, disability or obligatory religious requirements.
If an invigilator cannot determine a student’s identity owing to facial coverings for religious reasons, identity can be verified if a private space and same-gender invigilator are available. If the private space and same-gender invigilator are not available, the student will be permitted to continue the assessment and identity verification will be conducted retrospectively.
Unless explicitly authorised for the purposes of an examination, you will be prohibited from:
- Accessing, being in possession of, or using any mobile phone or unauthorised
electronic device; - Accessing, being in possession of, or using any device capable of storing information
or connecting with another device; - Accessing, being in possession of, or using any unauthorised notes, software or
materials; - Accessing, being in possession of, or using any device capable of communicating with
another person that are not required for the examination; and - Interacting or colluding with any other person
- Wearing a smartwatch or headphones
All prohibited items must be completely switched off using the power down function. If any prohibited item makes a sound, this may result in potential misconduct. Prior to a face to face examination commencing, instructions will be provided to students as to where mobile phones, electronic devices and notes/materials will be stored.
In possession means on, next to, near or under your desk or chair, in or on your clothing, on your body, or in your wallet or purse.
Misconduct, integrity warning and/or exam breach will apply if you are found to be accessing, being in possession of or using any prohibited devices or materials.
Face to face
If you think there is an error or omission in the examination paper, they may bring this to the attention of the invigilator, who will contact the Unit Coordinator for clarification. No ruling regarding the question will be given by the Invigilator. All reasonable efforts will be made to contact the Unit Coordinator.
Online
If a student thinks there is an error or omission online, they may bring this to the attention of the Unit Coordinator via e-mail.
Curtin is transitioning to Respondus Monitor with Lockdown Browser for remote invigilation of online tests and exams. Staff members can find information on how to set up and use Respondus Monitor with Lockdown Browser in the staff portal under Using learning and teaching technologies.
Download & Install
- Download the student software
- Read these instructions on how to download the software
- PC: Watch this video for a demonstration for Windows computers
- MAC: Watch this video for a demonstration for MACs
- Chromebook: Watch this video for a demonstration for Chromebooks
- iPad / iOS: Not allowed for use
Note that multi-finger swipe gestures should be disabled before undertaking a test using Lockdown Browser. To avoid being prematurely removed from an online test, disable multi-finger swipe gestures [.pdf 302kB].
Test Your Setup Early
It’s essential to test your setup at least one week before your exam:
- Self-enrol in the Respondus Monitor System Check Test via the Blackboard “Organisations” tab. Guide (.pdf)
- This will help confirm your webcam, microphone, and internet connection are working correctly.
Taking an Exam
Once the exam has started, students are locked into the exam. They’re unable to print, copy, go to other web addresses, or access other applications on the computer. Web searches, instant messaging, minimizing the browser, and hundreds of other functions are also prevented. Once the exam is completed, students are permitted to exit the browser and their computer will return to its normal state.
Make sure your entire face is visible
- Ensure your workspace is well lit and that no one else is present or likely to walk past.
- Your facial features should always be visible within the camera view. Your head should be distinguishable from the background.
- Don’t wear a hat or anything that can darken or obscure your face.
- Face the computer screen and camera, and avoid looking around.
- Avoid covering your face with your hands.
Avoid noise
- Use a quiet room with limited background noise.
- Do not wear headphones, Respondus needs to hear what you hear.
- Don’t have music playing.
Make sure your entire face is visible
- Ensure your workspace is well lit and that no one else is present or likely to walk past.
- Your facial features should always be visible within the camera view. Your head should be distinguishable from the background.
- Don’t wear a hat or anything that can darken or obscure your face.
- Face the computer screen and camera, and avoid looking around.
- Avoid covering your face with your hands.
Avoid noise
- Use a quiet room with limited background noise.
- Do not wear headphones, Respondus needs to hear what you hear.
- Don’t have music playing.
Review the quick start guide for students
1) Download & Install
- Download the student software
- Read these instructions on how to download the software
- PC: Watch this video for a demonstration for Windows computers
- MAC: Watch this video for a demonstration for MACs
- Chromebook: Watch this video for a demonstration for Chromebooks
- iPad / iOS: Not allowed for use
Note that multi-finger swipe gestures should be disabled before undertaking a test using Lockdown Browser. To avoid being prematurely removed from an online test, disable multi-finger swipe gestures [.pdf 302kB].