Check what to bring for an exam and know the rules you need to follow.
Arriving on time
You must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your exam.
This gives you time to find your desk and get settled.
A room plan will be displayed near the entrance. Seating is grouped by exam paper, arranged in candidate number order. If you cannot find your desk, ask an invigilator.
Arriving late to an exam
If you arrive late, but within 30 minutes of the start of an exam, you can take the exam but you won’t get any extra time.
If you miss an exam, or arrive after the first half an hour, you will not be allowed to sit it or take it at any other time during the same assessment period.
What you need for an exam
You have to bring the following things to an exam.
Proof of identification
Important: You must bring photographic proof of identity to all exams. This can be your student ID card, passport or driving licence. You cannot use an NUS card.
Display your ID on your desk at the start of each exam.
If we cannot confirm your identity, you need to go to the Student Systems and Record Office after the exam where you provide a handwriting sample before your work can be marked.
If you don’t, you receive a zero mark for each exam you attend without ID and an access block is put on your IT account until you confirm your identity.
You can get replacement ID cards from the Print Unit.
Candidate number
Find your candidate number on the front of your student ID card and on your Course page in Sussex Direct. It stays the same throughout your course.
You need to write this on your answer book and/or MCQ sheet.
Stationery
Bring a pen, pencil and eraser with you – and bring spares.
Use a clear plastic pencil case for any stationery.
Calculators
If your exam involves using a calculator, make sure it’s a Casio model from this list:
- fx-50
- fx-82
- fx-83
- fx-85
- fx-115
- fx-350
- fx-365
- fx-570
- fx-991.
Any suffix of these models is fine, excluding P or any other programmable calculator.
These calculators are approved by the University and are the only ones you can use in an exam.
You cannot:
- use instruction notes or booklets for your calculator
- share calculators.
We cannot guarantee you a calculator if you:
- forgot your own
- brought an unauthorised calculator with you.
Food and drink
You can bring a bottle of water with you but the label must be removed.
You can also bring snacks such as bananas. Don’t bring hot food or anything which will be noisy to eat, such as a packet of crisps.
Exam room conduct and rules
You are not allowed:
- any kind of electronic device (such as your phone)
- watches of any description
- unauthorised books, dictionaries or notes – unless the question paper rubric specifically allows it
- blank paper – any rough work or working out must be written on the question paper or in the answer book.
When you arrive, you must leave all these items in your bag and put it in the bag drop area. Make sure any electronic devices are turned off.
If you don’t have a bag, put these things under your desk for the duration of the exam.
All items are left at your own risk.
Do not:
- read the question paper before the exam starts
- talk in the exam room (except to an invigilator)
- ask invigilators to explain words or phrases in the question paper
- use correction tape or fluid – anything you don’t want marked must be crossed through
- leave to smoke or use a vaporizer
- leave during the first 60 minutes or the last 10 minutes of your exam
- keep the question paper at the end of the exam.
Be considerate
Avoid disturbing other candidates; wear soft-soled shoes as some venues have wooden flooring.
Remain seated at the end of your exam while answer books and question papers are collected and leave quietly as other students may still be working.
Misconduct
Make sure you’re aware of academic misconduct around exams.
Regulations
Find out about regulations for exams and assessments.