New rules for digital devices in connection with written exams on campus

From 1 March, you’ll be allowed to wear your smartwatch and your headphones when you take exams on campus – with some important restrictions. But your mobile phone and your tablet still need to stay in your bag. These are the highlights of the university’s new rules on using digital devices at exams. But you’ll need to read the fine print to make sure you don’t accidentally break the rules.

This is what you need to know about using digital devices in connection with written exams on campus:

Mobile phones, tablets and other digital devices

• You’re not allowed to use mobile phones, tablets and other digital devices during exams.
• The only time you’re allowed to use your mobile phone is for two-factor authentication when you sign in to the exam system before the exam starts.
• After that, you have to place your phone on the right-hand corner of your desk, so it’s visible, and keep it switched off for the duration of the exam. And switched off means really switched off – not airplane mode.
• You also have to keep tablets and other digital devices switched off during the exam, and you have to keep them in your own closed bag. If there are any exceptions to these rules for particular exams, they’ll be explained in the course description.

Smartwatches

• You’re allowed to wear a smartwatch during an exam.
• However, you’re not allowed to use your smartwatch to communicate with anyone during the exam, and you’re not allowed to connect it to headphones, a computer or any other kind of digital device.

Headphones

You can use your headphones (with or without audio) during written exams on campus, but there are a number of restrictions you need to be aware of:

• You’re not allowed to connect your headphones to your mobile phone – your mobile phone must be switched off during the exam.
• You’re not allowed to connect your headphones to a smartwatch, and you’re not allowed to use them to communicate with anyone or access unauthorised exam aids.
• If you’re taking a written exam without a computer, or an exam where your access to your computer’s programs is limited (for example, FLOWlock), you can only play audio by connecting your headphones to a standalone audio player (such as an iPod). Not your mobile phone.
• If you’re taking a written exam with a computer but you’re not allowed to use the internet, you can only use your computer to play audio if you download it before the exam starts.
• You’re always allowed to use your headphone without audio – for example, for noise cancellation.
• And of course, you should always be considerate of other students and follow the exam supervisor’s instructions when using your headphones during a written exam on campus.

Digital pen tablets

• You’re allowed to use a digital pen tablet for your written exams on campus.
• You’re not allowed to use a digital pen tablet to communicate with anyone, and you’re not allowed to use it to access the internet or any unauthorised materials during the exam.

Read more about the rules at written exams at Know the rules when you have an exam