Guide to Assessments
We know that assessment season can be a stressful time for students, that’s why we’ve pulled together this short practical guide to help you navigate it!
When are my assessments?
The January assessment period runs from 9-20 January. If your school hasn't already been in touch with you about your assessments in this period, they should be in touch with you soon.
This year exams will take place both online and in-person. Your school will provide you with the information you need.
Up-to-date information from the University on all issues relating to exams and assessment can be found within its Assessment and Exam Arrangements pages. Specific information relating to your course is available from your school.
I think I qualify for Extenuating Circumstances - what can I do?
Extenuating circumstances forms are available on eVision. Find more information and the link to the form on the extenuating circumstances process page.
When filling in your form, you will need to give as much information as possible but be clear and concise. There is a limit of 1500 characters for the 'explain your situation' section. You need to explain how your extenuating circumstances affected your studies. Make sure that you include all the units that were affected. If you'd like help with wording your explanation of your extenuating circumstances, contact Bristol SU Academic Advice and we can give feedback on your draft text.
The deadline for submitting your extenuating circumstances form is the first working day after each exam period.
Getting ready for exams
Once you know when your exams are, what format they will take and where they will be you can start preparing yourself fully for your assessments.
Study Spaces
If you’re looking for a quiet space to study, there’s plenty on offer. Don’t forget that the Bristol SU Richmond Building can be quieter than Senate House.
In addition to the study spaces available across campus, you can also use a vacant teaching space (available on weekdays 9am-6pm).
To find a vacant teaching space search for a room by building. This will show if the room is free or booked over the next three hours. You can use the room until a booked event is due to start.
Study Skills
Blackboard has online tutorials and other resources from the study skills team which you may find useful.
The Study Skills blog is written by students and tutors and contains lots of helpful tips.
Show me how! sessions will give you informal, personalised library training. Book a 1:1 session just for yourself, or a group session for up to four.
Wellbeing
If you need wellbeing support during this time, simply fill out a Request Wellbeing Support form to be connected with the right support or service.
Things to remember - Online assessments
- Treat it like an in-person exam. Make sure you know your start date and time, have all of the permitted equipment ready, and sit alone and in silence.
- Normal rules about referencing and plagiarism apply to online exams. The work you submit must be entirely your own, so you must not collaborate or work with anyone else on your exam, either physically or virtually.
- Make sure your study space is clear and quiet – as it would be in an exam hall.
- If you live in the same house as people on your course, make sure to sit separately in your own rooms.
Things to remember - in-person exams
- Make sure you've checked your exam time and venue
- Some exams may use venues you haven't been to before. Make sure you know where you're going and leave plenty of time to get there. The University has information on exam veues here.
- You will need to have your UCard with you
- No additional time will be allowed for students arriving late. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the examination, you will not be allowed into the hall and will be directed to your school.
- Clear plastic pencil cases, your UCard and water bottles are allowed on your desk
Further information about your exam day is available here
What if I'm unwell on exam day?
On the day of your exam, if you’re not well enough to sit it, you can self-certify your absence without needing supporting evidence. You will need to self-certify your absence on the day, before the exam starts, and if you follow the process correctly your exam will be rescheduled for the next available opportunity (this is most likely to be during the August reassessment period). Be aware that if you don’t pass the exam in August you will probably have to take a supplementary year.
To self-certify you need to complete the self-certification form on eVision before the start of the exam (this is when the password to open the exam paper is sent out to you).
If you start the assessment but are unable to complete it, or if the exam has already started and you know you can’t attempt it at all, you need to tell your school before the exam ends. You then need to fill in an extenuating circumstances form on eVision to explain what happened. If you don’t submit an exam by the deadline, you will normally need to take it again in the reassessment period.
Further information can be found on our Exams & Assessments page.
We hope that you have a smooth assessment season! Good luck from all of us at Bristol SU and remember, if you do face any issues, please do get in contact with our dedicated Academic Advice team.
