Examination FAQs

When are examinations held?

When will the examination timetable be available?

How many exams can I reasonably expect to sit on one day?

I have a disability. How do I apply for adjustments to my exam conditions?

English is not my first language. Am I eligible for extra time in my examinations?

What materials may I take into the examination room?

What happens if I cannot make it to my examination?

When will I know my results?

I don't understand my results. Who should I speak to?

I have been offered a supplementary examination. What are my next steps?

I am an international student. Can I take my examination in my home country?

When are examinations held?

Examinations are held at the end of each semester in June/July and November/December. Supplementary examinations for semester 1 topics are held prior to the commencement of semester 2. Supplementary examinations for semester 2 are held in January/February the following year. You can view the examination weeks for this year and subsequent years at important dates.

The University runs examinations up to 3 times per day, this includes some examinations scheduled at night and on Saturdays. No examinations are scheduled on Sundays or public holidays.

When will the examination timetable be available?

For end of semester examinations a provisional timetable will be available 5 - 6 weeks before the start of the examination period. The final timetable will be approximately 2 weeks after this.

For the supplementary examination period there is no provisional timetable. For semester 1 supplementary examinations, a timetable will be available 5 days prior to the exam period. A timetable for semester 2 supplementary examinations is generally available 2 weeks prior to the supplementary exam period.  

You can access the examination timetable in the Student System via iFlinders .

How many exams can I reasonably expect to sit on one day?

For end of semester examinations the University expects that students should not have to sit more than 2 examinations per day, or more than 3 examinations in two days. However, the University tries to minimise this where possible.

Each semester around 4% of students will have more than one exam per day. Approximately 1% of students are scheduled for more than two exams in two days.

For students sitting a large number of supplementary exams (6 or more) in the Jan/Feb supp period, it is not possible to limit the number of exams a student can sit per day or week as the supplementary exam timetable is shorter than the normal exam timetable.

The Examinations Office will try to to minimise heavy exam schedules wherever possible.

I have a disability. How do I apply for adjustments to my exam conditions?

You will need to apply for special provisions with the Disability Liaison Officer by phone on (08) 8201 2943, email or in person in the Student Centre at least 4 weeks before your examination.

Please see the Health and Counselling's students with disabilities page for further information on examinations, assessment, disability-related policies and contacts.

English is not my first language. Am I eligible for extra time in my examinations?

You are eligible for extra time in examinations if you were born outside Australia, speak a language other than English at home and came to Australia less than 10 years ago.

You will automatically be sent an Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) card in Semester 1 if you meet these criteria. You must bring this card to each examination along with your student ID card to be eligible. You are also allowed to use a bilingual dictionary. Electronic dictionaries are, however, not permitted.

If you did not receive an NESB card and believe you should have, you can check the details that you have registered on the student information system by logging into iFlinders.

If the year you entered Australia is not recorded you will need to provide evidence to Enrolment Services in the Student Centre before this can be changed.

If the language you speak at home is recorded incorrectly you can update this yourself on the student information system via iFlinders.

What materials may I take in to the examination room?

You may take in approved writing materials only, including pens, pencils as well as drawing instruments, calculators and books where approved. You may take in a transparent plastic pencil case or plastic bag to contain your belongings.

If you are not sure if you are allowed to use books, course materials or calculators, please contact your lecturer or tutor for further advice.

Students are not allowed to bring bags, wallets or mobile phones or electronic devices into the examination room under any circumstances.

Students should leave all valuables and other belongings at home on examination days.

Water is permitted in clear plastic bottles with the label removed, no other food or drink is permitted.

Students who hold a valid NESB card may bring a dictionary into the examination room.

Please be aware that the following will be considered a breach of the University's Rules on the Conduct of Examinations:

• Using electronic dictionaries.
• Handwritten notes inside dictionaries.
• Using or being in possession of mobile phones, mp3 players, PDAs and other electronic devices, even when switched off.
• Formulae or notes inside calculators, on rulers, inside pencil cases etc.
• Notes on the inside label of water bottles.
• Writing on arms, legs, clothes.
• Using any notes in the examination venue, including notes belonging to other students.
• Using unapproved discs or USB sticks in computer based examinations.

A student who is detected committing, or apparently committing a breach of any of the provisions of this clause will be dealt with under the provisions of the University's Academic Dishonesty Policy and may, at the discretion of the Chief Examination Supervisor, be summarily dismissed from the examination room.

For a full copy of the policy refer to Rules on the Conduct of Examinations.

What happens if I can not make it to my examination?

The University expects students to be available to sit their examinations in Adelaide during all examination periods.

If you cannot make it to your examination due to medical and/or compassionate reasons, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment.

You will need to fill out a Supplementary Assessment Application (DOC 736KB) (also available in the Student Centre or your Faculty Office) and submit this form to your Faculty with supporting documentation within three working days of your examination.

You should visit your doctor or counsellor without delay to gain a medical certificate, alternatively you can do this at Health and Counselling in the Student Centre.

If you have exceptional circumstances and would face hardship if you had to sit your examinations in Adelaide or have compelling reasons for needing to sit your examination outside Adelaide you may be given permission to sit exams off-campus.

You will be required to cover all expenses associated with this including administration fees, postage, supervision costs, room hire etc.

It is not possible to sit computer-based examinations off-campus. You will need to liaise with your topic coordinator in this instance.

Applications for off-campus exams must be lodged at the Examinations Office, Student Centre at least 4 weeks before the commencement of the exam period. Late applications can not be considered.

Exams held off-campus must be sat at the same time as appears on the timetable.

When will I know my results?

This varies from Faculty to Faculty, but results should be available at iFlinders within the following timelines:

• Within 10 working days after the last day of exams for topics completed at the end of Semester 1
• Within 5 working days after the last day of exams for semester 1 supplementary exams
  
• The end of December for topics completed at the end of Semester 2
• The end of February for topics examined by supplementary examinations in January

If your results are not displayed this means they have not yet been released by the Faculty Examinations Board. You should check again at a later date or contact your Faculty.

I don't understand my results. Who do I speak to?

Information about grades can be found at the Assessment Policies and Procedures page.

If you have received an I grade or an F grade and do not understand why, you will need to approach your topic coordinator for further information.

I have been offered supplementary assessment. What are my next steps?

There are different types of supplementary assessment available. If the assessment is in the form of an examination, please check the supplementary exam timetable in the Student System and ensure you attend the exam. If you are unsure what type of supplementary assessment you will have to complete, please contact your topic coordinator for further information.

For more information, refer to the supplementary exams page.