Learning and Teaching: Revision & Exams: Revising for online assessments

Online Exams

Can you choose when to sit the exam (within a set period of time), or are you required to take it at a specific date and time? If you are not required to sit the exam at a specific time, choose a time which presents the least potential for distraction, interruption, and stress. You may also wish to choose a time where you feel your performance will be optimised.
Can you choose where to sit the exam, or should it be completed at a designated location on campus? An online exam can require high levels of concentration and effort, and so it is important to find a quiet test-taking spot with minimal distractions if you can. It is advisable to turn off notifications such as phones, emails and social media.

Some exams require computers to have specific hardware and/or software installed. It is advisable to verify the device you're using is equipped for the exam, particularly if you are using your own device. If is also advisable to check your internet connection is sufficient in the location you have chosen.

It’s common to feel anxious before an exam, and online exams can seem daunting at first. However, it is important to remain relaxed and focused before an exam so that you’re ready to complete it within the time permitted. Then, when you log in to sit the exam, take a moment to calm down and focus on the assessment.

If you are sitting the exam from home, there will be no invigilator to do time-checks though the exam, although some online-exams will feature a countdown timer if the exam is time-limited. Consider setting an alarm or alarms, if you can, during your exam to notify you when you have limited time remaining in your test.

If you have problems while submitting your answers, or experience technical problems during the exam, having a copy of your questions and answers could be useful.

During an online exam, you may be allowed to use the web to gather information. If you do so, it is advisable to do this in a separate tab or browser, as using the same tab could risk losing all of your completed work.

In the event of technical problems during the exam, remain calm and contact your instructor immediately with details of the problem which has occurred, and any error messages you may have received. If you are able to take a screen shot, then this could be useful for explaining and evidencing the problem which occurred.

Checking one's work is advisable in any exam. If you have time, review the accuracy of your answers, as well as your spelling and grammar. Depending on the format of an online exam, you may wish to check that every question has been completed and is answered as you intended.

Although this may seem obvious, during an exam it can be easy to forget to submit the exam once completed. Usually, one should only need to submit your work/answers once. If you have a problem submitting, try again and contact you instructor immediately if the problem persists. You may wish to take a screen shot of your answers, or send your intended answers to your instructor in an attached document.

After the exam, you may have an idea of how well you did, and may also remember which questions challenged you or which you got stuck on. You can review your personal notes and course materials to find the answers to the questions you got stuck on, if you find this useful.

Typically, exams with written answers will require time for your lecturer/tutor to grade, in which case you will likely need to wait to find out your score. In some cases, for instance multiple choice exam, you may be able to see your grade straight away.

Following an exam, you have an opportunity to assess how your exam and study strategies worked, and whether your plan for sitting an online test was successful. Consider writing down your reflections, and using these to help you when you prepare for future assessments.