Exam Tips

Exams are a stressful time of the semester, and it’s easy to forget the basics amongst all the cramming! Make sure you’re organised with:

Student ID

You must display your UWA student card on your desk for the duration of the exam. If you’ve lost it, visit Student Central for a replacement as soon as possible.

Student cards cost $15 (excluding GST). You can go to the Student Central's website to see their opening hours.

Unauthorised materials

Taking unauthorised materials into an exam can result in you not receiving a mark for the exam. Save yourself the trouble of being penalised for academic misconduct by knowing what you can and can’t take in with you:

You CAN take:

  • Your campus card (REQUIRED)
  • Clear pencil case or plastic bag (containing only items required for the exam, such as pens, pencils, erasers and rulers)
  • Clear bottle of water (labels removed)
  • A calculator if required (with an Approved sticker obtained from Student Administration, your Faculty office or the Co-op)
  • Your mobile phone (you must switch it off before entering the venue and leave it under your desk for the duration of the exam)
  • Pharmacy medications and other items in accordance with alternative exam arrangements
  • In the case of open book exams, additional items as indicated by your lecturer

You CANNOT take:

  • Textbooks, course notes, diaries, dictionaries or other study materials (unless the exam is open book)
  • Laptops, tablets, audio equipment or smart watches
  • Notes of any kind, including those written on rulers, calculators or calculator covers, on your body or anywhere else
  • Blank paper
  • Any other item or material that may cause disruption or provide you with an unfair advantage.

Time & location of your exam

There may have been some last minute changes to the exam time or location – always triple check your personal exam timetable on student Connect. If you miss your exam due to misreading your timetable you will NOT be given special consideration. Allow plenty of time for travel/parking, and if you’re not familiar with the venue make sure you find it in advance on the campus map.

If you’re late to an exam

If you arrive less than 30 minutes late, you will be still be allowed to take the exam (but will not be granted extra time). If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you should go to Student Central immediately and seek advice.

If you become sick during an exam

Stay seated and raise your hand to get an Invigilator’s attention. They will take you to the University Medical Centre, where a medical practitioner can assist with your application for special consideration.

Exam enquiries

During examination periods, Student Administration is open from 8.30am to 5pm weekdays, plus 8.30am to 4.30pm Saturdays to help you with any exam related enquiries. You can visit them in Student Central (next to Oak Lawn) or phone 6488 3235 and select the exams option from the menu.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions on askUWA.

Need advice?
If you are unable to sit an exam due to ill-health (or other factors outside your control), you may be able to apply for deferred exams using the Special Consideration process. You will need to make sure that you see a Doctor (or Counsellor) on the day of or the days leading up to your exam as medical certificates are unable to be back-dated. You have three days to lodge this application your Faculty, but your supporting documentation will need to cover you for the day of you exam(s). If you are too unwell to sit your exam we recommend that you do not sit your exam and instead apply for special consideration to defer your exam as you will not be allowed to re-sit an exam you have already completed. Read more about the special consideration policy.