Digital exam - WISEflow

Here you can find information and guidance on digital exams at Aarhus BSS.

Guidelines for WISEflow

Technical guides


Before the exam


Flow overview

In WISEflow, exams are called "flows", and the "Flow overview" gives you an overview of your exams. Here you can see the status of the individual exams and the type of exam in question.

You can try out the different exam types by using the test function (“Demoflow”).

Try the tutorial below to find out more about the flow overview and demoflows.

Find more information about your exam

By clicking the individual flows in the flow overview, you will get more information about the exams e.g. exam date and other important information.

Find out more in the tutorial below.

Before written on-site exams

Download the Device Monitor

When the Device Monitor is activated, the programme will automatically take screenshots of your screen during the exam.

It will depend on the individual exam whether you have to activate the Device Monitor. You will be notified about this before the exam.

You can read more about Device Monitor here.

Minimum requirements to run Device Monitor: https://wiseflow.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12151266178844-Minimum-Requirements-for-Applications

Download the lockdown-browser

The lockdown browser is used in written exams with no aids. It ensures that you cannot access any other material than the exam assignment and any permitted external ressources during the entire exam.

It's important that you download, install and try out the lockdown-browser well ahead of the exam. See how in the tutorial below.

During the exam - tutorials


Withdraw a submission

In WISEflow, you are able to withdraw your submission – however only in case of ordinary take-home assignments and only until the submission deadline has passed. If a withdrawal is not possible, you will be notified of this before submitting your exam paper.

Find out how to withdraw your submission in the tuturial below. 

Submit an exam paper

Group formation

If your exam flow has been set up to Group submission, you may submit your paper as a member of a group or alone in a one-person group.

To be able to submit your assignment, you (or another person from your group), must form a group in WISEflow. Please note that you need to form a group even if you're in a one-person group and that you cannot form the group until the exam flow has started.

See how you form a group in the tutorial below.

During written on-site exams

FLOWlock - the basics

FLOWlock is a special type of flow in WISEflow, which is tailored to on-site examinations with limited or no aids permitted.

A FLOWlock exam takes place entirely in a designated lockdown browser, where you will get access to a built-in text editor which limits your access to all other than the allowed programmes on your computer while the flow is active.

To take a FLOWlock exam, you must download, install and test the lockdown browser before the exam (find out how here).

In the tutorial below, you can see what you need to do in WISEflow when taking a FLOWlock exam. Before the exam, you can test the various FLOWlock elements in a demo flow, which you access from the bottom of your flow overview

Dispensation from the use of compensatory IT aids under FLOWlock

Read here if you have been granted a dispensation to use compensatory IT aids during a FLOWlock Exam.

External ressources in FLOWlock

In some FLOWlock exams, you will be permitted to access e.g. your own notes and selected websites. In WISEflow, these are referred to a "external ressources".

Find out how to use external ressources in the tutorial below.

Text formating in FLOWlock

In FLOWlock exams, you will get access to a text editor in WISEflow. See how you format your text in the tutorial below.

Digitizing appendix material in FLOWlock

In FLOWlock you may add various appendix materials. See how you digitize your material in the tutorial below.

Exam using Device Monitor

FAQ - before, during and after the exam

Before the exam

Checklist: What do I need to do before a written on-site exam?

Before a written on-site exam, it’s a good idea to go through the following checklist:

  • Can you connect your computer to the Eduroam wireless network?
  • Can your word processing programme open docx files?
  • Do you know how to work with tables, headers and footers, page numbers, font sizes, and the copy-paste function in your word processing programme?
  • Do you know where to save your exam assignments so that you can find them easily when you need to submit?                     
  • Do you know how to make your exam assignment into a single PDF file?                                                                          
  • Do you have access to the relevant exam flow in WISEflow (approximately one week before the exam)?                                              
  • Do you need to use the Device Monitor and/or Lockdown Browser applications in your exam?

Can I try WISEflow before my exam?

As a student, you have access to a demo exam (Demoflow), which you will find in the flow overview. The Demoflow allows you to try uploading and submitting an exam paper in WISEflow.

What are the requirements for my computer?

Your computer must meet certain requirements when taking an exam in WISEflow. It’s important you check WISEflow's own support page regularly to stay on top of these requirements. 

What browser should I use?

We recommend that you access WISEflow using Chrome or Firefox. WISEflow supports the two latest major versions of these browsers.

If you are planning to use a Linux computer, please check whether your operating system is compatible with the Device Monitor. Read more on your study portal.

When can I see my exam in WISEflow?

When your exam is ready in WISEflow, you will receive a notification from the system – sent to your AU email. You can then sign in to WISEflow and see your exam.

If your exam is not visible in WISEflow approx. one week before the exam begins, you should contact your studies administration.

Have you remembered to download the lockdown browser?

If you are taking an exam using FLOWlock or FLOWmulti, remember to download and install the latest version of the lockdown browser well in advance of your exam.

Have you remembered to download the Device Monitor?

If you need to use Device Monitor in your exam, remember to download and install the latest version well in advance of your exam.

What do I need to know about how Device Monitor will be used and how my data will be processed?

What is Device Monitor?

At Aarhus University, written on-site exams taken in WISEflow are digitally monitored by the Device Monitor application.

Device Monitor takes screenshots of your computer at random intervals and registers all applications opened on your device from the beginning to the end of the exam. The screenshots and application list will be available to relevant administrative staff.

If you need to use Device Monitor for a particular exam, this will be stated in the description of the exam.

  • Read more about Device Monitor on the WISEflow support page
  • Read more about how to install the Device Monitor on this page

Why does AU use Device Monitor?

The purpose of Device Monitor is to collect data on what has happened on the student's computer during the exam. This data is collected so the university can monitor exams to make sure no one is cheating.

It can also be used in connection with applications for exemptions; for example, if you need to document a system error that prevented you from handing in your exam on time.

In other words, the data collected by Device Monitor is also the student’s documentation of what happened on their computer during an exam.

What are the browser and operating system requirements?

The supplier supports commonly used browsers and operating systems. Check the WISEflow support webpage details. 

You can find a guide to solving the most common problems with Device Monitor here.

If you are planning to use a Linux computer, please check whether your operating system is compatible with Device Monitor.

What data does Device Monitor register?

When you take an exam at which Device Monitor is used, the following data will be registered:

  • That you, the examinee, have registered for the exam
  • Screenshots that are captured throughout the exam at random intervals  
  • Applications and processes that are running on your computer (registered continually) 

The data collected from your computer will be stored for 180 days, after which it will be automatically deleted. 

Note: If any screenshots containing sensitive personal data are found when the data from your computer is reviewed, they will be deleted if they have no relevance to the exam itself. 

Who has access to the data?

Only a limited group of staff members at each faculty and a few administrative employees from AU Student Administration and Services have access to data from Device Monitor. 

During the exam, the exam supervisors can access the data that is collected. They need access to this data in order to supervise the exam.

Who can access the data?

The data collected by the application can be used by the administration for case-processing in connection with the exam during which the data was collected (such as complaints about grades, investigations for cheating, etc.)

Only the limited group of staff members with direct access to the data can retrieve and forward data to other administrative staff in the event that they need access to it in connection with a case.  

No lecturers, examiners or co-examiners can access the data collected by Device Monitor.

How long does Device Monitor collect data?

Device Monitor collects data from the moment you start the application until the exam is over.

Remember that you need to activate Device Monitor yourself right before the exam starts. You won’t be able to access your on-site exam until you do so.

As soon as you click ‘submit’, Device Monitor will stop collecting data – even if the application is still running. 

Remember that it’s your responsibility to make sure that Device Monitor is running for the duration of your on-site exam. Contact the exam supervisor if the application stops running or gives you problems during the exam.

How long will the data be stored?

The data will be stored for 180 days, after which it will be deleted automatically.

Where will the data be stored?

The data will be stored securely and confidentially by the data processor, the supplier of Device Monitor.

Read the supplier’s privacy and cookie policy here: https://europe.wiseflow.net/account/privacy (Note: You must be signed in to WISEflow to access the page).

What data can students access?

You can access the data that have been collected about you and your exam by signing in to WISEflow. You’ll see a button labelled ‘View screenshots’ on your exam.

During the exam

Do I need to use my mobile phone to sign in to WISEflow?

You must sign in to WISEflow using two-factor authentication. So remember to bring your mobile phone to your written on-site exams.

Once you have signed in, you must turn off your mobile phone and place it in the right corner of the table. Please contact the exam supervisor if you need to use your mobile phone during the exam (for example, if you need to sign in again).

What am I allowed to bring to my exam?

You may bring one computer and one screen (max. 17") to the exam along with necessary extension cords, junction boxes, etc., unless otherwise specified in the rules for the specific exam in the academic regulations or the course catalogue.

Read more about this in Rules on written on-site exams at Aarhus University.

Am I required to be physically present at on-site exams?

When attending on-site exams, you are required to be present in the examination room and you must bring your student ID card. This means that you are not allowed to submit an exam paper if you are not present in the actual exam room. Submissions made outside the examination room will be treated as attempts of cheating and will be reported.

How do I submit my exam paper?

You must submit your exam paper in WISEflow before the exam deadline has passed. It’s important that you start the submission process in good time because the exam flow closes as soon as the exam deadline is reached.

When submitting your exam paper, please remember that:

  • You may need to complete fields on the cover page before you can submit your exam paper.
  • You should check you have uploaded the correct file before you click on the ‘Click here to submit’ button.
  • Your submission is not complete until you have clicked on the ‘Click here to submit’ button.

Find more information on how to submit your exam paper in WISEflow in this guide.

In what format should I submit my exam paper?

For the vast majority of exams, your exam paper must be submitted in PDF format (one combined PDF file), while appendices and supplementary material can be submitted in other file formats. The permitted maximum file sizes are: 200 MB for the total PDF file and 5 GB in total for appendices and supplementary material.

For some exams, you may be able to submit all kinds of file formats.

FLOWlock and FLOWmulti exams are exempt from the above.

How do I digitize handwritten appendices?

For digital exams, you can digitize hand-drawn graphs, figures, illustrations, etc. and attach these to your paper. Digitization can take place through, for example:

  • the built-in camera in the computer
  • an external webcam
  • a handheld scanner

You can attach the digitized material as supplementary material or insert in it your paper.

How are the exams anonymised?

Many exams are conducted completely anonymously, meaning that the assessor will not be able to see your name or your student registration number in WISEflow – only an arbitrary participant index.

When taking these exams, you can see your participant index by clicking on the "Preview cover sheet"’ button in the exam flow once the exam has started.

What happens if my computer crashes?

You may bring one computer to the exam along with necessary extension cords, junction boxes, etc., unless otherwise specified in the rules for the specific exam in the academic regulations or the course catalogue.

What if I am taking a group exam?

If you are taking an exam as part of a group, you must complete the following steps. 

Create the group in WISEflow

  1. If the exam flow is set up for group submission, select ‘Form group" when you sign in to WISEflow
  2. Write a group name in the "Group name" field
  3. Select the other group members from the list
  4. Once you have selected all the group members, click on ‘Form group’

Read more about forming groups in WISEflow.

Accept the invitation in WISEflow

The students you added to the group must now accept the invitation.

They do this in WISEflow. They will find the invitation to the group under the relevant exam flow.  

Submit your group assignment

When you submit a group assignment in WISEflow, only one member of the group should upload and submit the assignment and any attachments.

The other group members must simply ensure that they are a member of the group by accepting the group invitation.

If you are in a group with students from another degree programme, you cannot form a group in WISEflow.

How do I remove hidden personal information from my submission?

Your submission may contain hidden personal information, which is automatically stored under the file's metadata. You can read more about metadata and how you can remove the hidden personal information from your submission in this guide.

For students with a dispensation to use compensatory IT aids under FLOWlock

  • If you have been granted a dispensation to use compensatory IT aids for an exam, you have the option of using your compensatory IT aids in the built-in text editor for the specific FLOWlock exam. 
  • You prepare and submit your answer in the built-in text editor in the FLOWlock browser in exactly the same way as other students. 
  • You may not use aids and programs other than those for which you have been granted a dispensation during the exam. Violation will be considered exam cheating. 
  • If you cannot access your compensatory IT aids during your exam, you must contact the exam invigilator immediately. 
  • Please note that you can only test the general functions and not your compensatory IT aids in the lockdown browser in the demo flow for FLOWlock, but they will be accessible as with other WISEflow exams during your FLOWlock exam.

After the exam

What should I do if I don’t manage to submit?

You can find more information about what to do if you don’t manage to submit your exam assignment on your study portal.

How can I see if my exam paper has been correctly submitted?

Your exam submission is deemed successful if you submit your exam paper in WISEflow before the exam time has expired.

When you have submitted your paper in WISEflow, you can ask WISEflow to send you a receipt by clicking ‘Request receipt’. This means that you will receive a confirmation email when your paper has been submitted successfully. Save this receipt.

Can I get feedback on my exam?

You are not entitled to receive feedback on your exam. However, you are always welcome to contact the course coordinator to hear if it is possible to receive feedback. You can find the name and contact information of the course coordinator in the course catalog.

Description of exam types

In the Course Catalogue, you will find a description of the type of exam in your course. In the exam description, you will see one or more of the codes below, which indicate how exams are conducted in WISEflow.

  • WHAI: Take-home assignment with upload of the exam paper in WISEflow, possibly followed by an oral defence.
  • WOAI: On-site written exam with upload of the exam paper in WISEflow, use of the internet allowed during the exam, own PC required.
  • WOA: On-site written exam with upload of the exam paper in WISEflow, use of the internet NOT allowed during the exam, own PC required.
  • WO: On-site written exam with upload of the exam paper in WISEflow, use of the internet NOT allowed during the exam, own PC required. The assignment is completed in FLOWlock - a closed browser which prevents you from accessing anything else on your PC. The lockdown browser must be installed before the exam. 
    Read more about FLOWlock below "Guidelines for WISEflow".
  • WO+: On-site written exam with upload of the exam paper in WISEflow, use of the internet NOT allowed during the exam, own PC required. The assignment is completed in FLOWlock - a closed browser that prevents you from accessing anything else than documents stored as PDF files locally on your own PC e.g. notes. The lockdown browser must be installed before the exam.  Read more about FLOWlock and the use of notes (external ressources) during a  FLOWlock-exam below "Guidelines for WISEflow"..
  • WOMC: Multiple-choice on-site written exam with upload of the exam paper in WISEflow, use of the internet NOT allowed during the exam, own PC required. The questions are answered in FLOWlock - a closed browser which prevents you from accessing anything else on your PC. The lockdown browser must be installed before the exam.
    Read more about FLOWlock below "Guidelines for WISEflow".
  • ON: On-site written exam without PC (on paper).

Problemes handing in your exam paper in WISEflow?

If you experience problems with uploading and handing in your exam paper in WISEflow in connection with a take-home assignment, you should send your paper to the following email: bss.exam@au.dk.

Your exam paper must be sent to the email within the deadline for submission, and it must comply with the requirements for file format and size. Your exam paper must be handed in as one PDF file, but additional material/appendices may be uploaded in other file formats. The maximum permitted file sizes are: 200 MB for the total PDF file and 5 GB in total for additional material/appendices.

If you have sent your exam paper to the email bss.exam@au.dk, you must at the same time apply for an exemption to have your paper forwarded for assessment. You do this via mystudies.au.dk below "Applications”.

Note that even if you have sent your exam paper to the email within the exam deadline, it is not sure that your application for exemption will be met.

If you experience any problems in connection with an on-site exam, you should contact the exam supervisors in the room. You must contact the exam supervisors well in advance of the deadline for submission.

How to log in

Do you need help?


Technical support

If you have any questions about login and the functionalities of WISEflow, you should contact the IT-support.

Aarhus BSS IT-support
Mail: bss.it@au.dk
Phone +45 87 15 09 33
See the opening hours.

Administrative support

If you are having troubles finding your exams in WISEflow, you should contact Aarhus BSS Student Services.

Aarhus BSS Student Services
Mail: studentservices.bss@au.dk
Tlf.: +45 87 16 40 26
See the opening hours.