Preparing for Exam Season as a Visiting Student at St Andrews
For our current visiting students, you will shortly experience your first exam season at St Andrews. As we near the end of Semester One at St Andrews final assessments are probably on many of your minds. The types of assessments you will have may vary between you and your friends depending on which modules you are taking. However, the majority of you will have exams, coursework, or a combination of the two to complete at the end of the semester.
In this post, you will find some tips for preparing yourself ahead of time as well as links to resources and support available through the University.
You should familiarise yourself with both the examination policy and the Good Academic Practice policy ahead of your exams.
In-Person Exams
These are completed in an examination venue with invigilators to ensure that examination rules are upheld.
- Remember your student ID card: Candidates must bring their St Andrews matriculation (ID) card to all examinations.
- Arrive at your exam venue in good time: Plan to arrive 20 minutes before the published start time of your exam. You will be told when you are allowed to enter the examination venue.
- What can I bring into my examination?
- Pens and pencils – these must be carried individually or in a transparent pencil case.
- Water in a transparent plastic bottle – non-transparent bottles and glass bottles of any kind are not permitted.
- Non-programmable calculator – if you require a calculator to complete your exam.
More detailed guidance for in-person exams can be found on the University website.
Online Exams
Online exams will often be ‘open book’, which means you can consult your lecture notes, books and other resources during the exam. Remember – don’t spend too long reading your materials instead of answering the questions!
- Prepare your space – set yourself up for your exam somewhere that you can work without being disturbed and make sure your Wifi connection and IT equipment are working properly.
- “Take home” long exams – if you have a longer “take home” exam, make sure to plan time away from your screen and give yourself breaks.
- Try a “walkthrough” – students can access dress rehearsals to practise submitting their exams ahead of time and can view a “walkthrough” of what the exam platform will look like.
You can find online exam guidance which covers exam procedure, how to manage IT related issues, and other topics on the exams webpages.
The main thing to remember is that it is completely normal to feel nervous or worried about upcoming exams. At St Andrews, there are lots of people here to help if you need support or advice.
- Academic Support and Study Skills – The Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development (CEED) offer advice on studying effectively and a variety of study resources.
- Wellbeing and Managing Exam Stress: The Advice and Support Centre can help you understand and manage any apprehension you may be feeling about your exams. They also provide links to other useful resources and support.
- Knowing what to Expect: Everything you need to know about Exams can be found on the University webpages including exam preparation, directions to exam venues, and alternative exam arrangements.
Remember, it is perfectly normal to find things challenging or to feel worried about exams. You have completed coursework and exams before – university exams and deadlines are no different.
If you need help finding the right information or support, you can contact the Global Office via [email protected] and we will signpost you to the right place.
Good luck for all your exams and deadlines!