Examination format & arrangements

Check the location

Check your individual timetable via MySIS or the QM App to ensure you are heading to the correct venue. Your peers may be sitting the same exam in a different room to you so please do not make assumptions on the venue based on where your friends will be sitting their exam. 

Have you got your Student ID Card? You need it!

You will not be allowed into the exam room without your Student ID card so make sure you have it on you. If you have lost or forgotten your card, you should do one of the following before heading to the venue:

• Purchase a new card at a cost of £20. You can pay online and collect it from the Student Enquiry Centre (SEC) or pay at the Fees desk and collect from SEC. Please be advised that the SEC and Fees desks are next to each other on the Ground Floor of iQ East Court, Mile End Road, or;
• During the formal examination period, obtain a temporary permit from SEC on the day of your exam. Please note you can only have one temporary permit generated for each exam period (January, May and August) and it is only valid for examinations you have on the day it is printed.

Please make sure you leave enough time to get to SEC, queue to get your replacement ID card/temporary permit and get back to the exam venue before your exam starts.

Note that we cannot print temporary permits for exams/tests/mid-terms which are managed by your School or are held outside of the formal examination periods. If you have forgotten your ID card when sitting a locally run assessment, please contact your School for guidance on what ID they will accept.

During the main Queen Mary examination periods, SEC is open 09:00-16:00. 

Don’t be late!

Make sure you leave enough time to get to your exam - please arrive 30 minutes before the published start time. Particularly in our larger venues such as the Great Hall, Sports Hall, the Octagon and Bancroft Building, there are a lot of students that need to enter the room and be seated. If you arrive late you may be held outside whilst the invigilator makes important announcements before starting the exam. No additional time will be added to the end of the exam if you are late.

Wear suitable clothing

Especially in January, the exam venues may be fairly cold upon arrival but quickly warm up. Please wear sensible clothing and note that you are not allowed to wear your coat/jacket during the exam. Any coats/jackets should be left with your bag at the back of the room and not hung over the back of your chair. If you wear a hoodie/sweater with pockets, please remember to empty them before entering the venue as they will be checked.

Check your desk number

On the wall outside the room, candidate lists will be displayed on the wall. These show the student number, exam to be sat and the desk number. Double check you know where to sit before entering the room.

Turn your phone off!

It is extremely important to ensure that your mobile phone and any other electronic devices that you may have in your bag are turned off and all alarms are deactivated. If your phone sounds during an exam, even if it is in your bag, you may be investigated for Academic Misconduct and may face consequences. Don't leave your phone in your pocket - more information is in the section below about what you can take into the venue.

When entering the room, your Student ID Card will be checked and you should ensure that your ID card is visible on your desk throughout the exam.

Checks will also be made on your:

Stationery - Make sure you have necessary writing equipment and use a clear pencil case to store your items. If you have forgotten a pen or your pen runs out of ink, we will not be able to provide you with one so make sure you bring suitable (and enough!) writing equipment with you.

Calculator - You may use a calculator in your exam if it has been permitted and the cover should be removed and placed under your desk. Calculators should be non-programmable unless your School has specified otherwise on the question paper. If you are unsure which calculators are acceptable, please check with your School.

Food and drink - You may take in with you non-carbonated water in a clear bottle with no labels. Please do not bring opaque or steel bottles into the exam as they will be confiscated. No food, sweets or chewing gum or any other drinks apart from still water will be allowed unless this forms part of your exam access arrangements as recommended by the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS).

Face masks - If you would feel more comfortable wearing a face mask then you can. Please be advised that the inside of your mask will be checked periodically by Invigilators during the exam.

Coats, bags and hats - When entering the exam venue, the Invigilators will advise you where to put your coat, bag and hat. You should not take any large belongings to your desk and should not hang your coat over your chair. Queen Mary cannot be held liable for any of your belongings that go missing.

Small valuables - A clear plastic bag will be placed on each desk. If you bring small valuables into the venue (e.g. mobile phone, wallet, analogue or smartwatch etc.) you can place them into this bag which should then be stored under your desk.

Mobile phones - You absolutely must ensure that your phone is switched off and no alarms are set. You must not have your phone on your person so make sure you do not have it in your pocket. If you don't want to leave your phone in your bag, you may place it in the plastic wallet provided and keep it under your desk. If your phone is found on you or sounds during the exam, you may be investigated for suspected Academic Misconduct. Please triple check that you have turned it off and stored it as directed.

• Do not open your question paper or start to write anything until you have been instructed to do so by the Senior Invigilator.
• Before the exam begins, the Senior Invigilator will inform you that you are under examination conditions. Please listen to the announcements carefully. This is your final chance to tell an Invigilator if you have any prohibited items on you that you shouldn’t have.
• You cannot leave the exam in the first 30 minutes or the final 15 minutes of the exam and if you need assistance, please raise your hand and wait for an Invigilator to come to you.

• Do not remove the question paper or answer booklets from the venue.
• Make sure that you have collected all of your belongings (don’t forget to pick up your ID card or anything stored under your desk).
• Leave the venue quietly so you do not disturb any other students who may still have time remaining

If you have lost or forgotten your card, you should do one of the following before heading to the venue:

• Purchase a replacement card at a cost of £20. You can pay online and collect it from the Student Enquiry Centre (SEC) or pay at the Fees desk and collect from SEC. Please be advised that the SEC and Fees desks are next to each other on the Ground Floor of iQ East Court, Mile End Road, or;
• During the formal examination period, obtain a temporary permit from SEC on the day of your exam. Please note you can only have one temporary permit generated for each exam period and it is only valid for examinations you have on the day it is printed. Therefore, if you have multiple in-person exams, you should purchase a replacement card instead.