Exams Information

At university, your learning and subject knowledge is assessed in lots of different ways - including through exams. Use this page as a starting point to understand:

Key terms you should know.
The difference between 'centrally' and 'locally' timetabled exams.
The kind of exam timetables you'll receive.

Exam Timetable

Online Exams

In-person Exams

Reassesments

Jargon Buster: Exams and Assessments

Find out what some of the common exams and assessments terminology means:

Timetables

Exam Venue: Where your exam will take place, either on campus on campus (in-person) or online.
Start/End (Duration): Your start time is the official time that your exam begins. All students should arrive 20 minutes before the start of their exam. Note: reading time and Alternative Exam Arrangements (e.g. extra time) can affect your start time. Check your personalised timetable for exact start times.
Seat allocation: Your assigned seat for an in-person on campus exam. Seat allocations are published on Evision (in your personalised timetable). They will be different for each exam you take.
Reading time: A short period of time (15 minutes) before the official start of your exam to read the paper and make notes on the question paper. During this time, you're not allowed to start writing.

Exam Logistics

Candidate number: Your unique student ID.
Attendance slip: A form placed on each exam desk. You must fill it in to provide details such as: your name, student ID number, exam paper code. This confirms your attendance at the exam.
Exam Script: Your official answer booklet or online submission - this is what examiners mark. For paper-based exams, it's the answer booklet you complete during the exam. For online exams: your submitted response in the exam platform.
Considerate marking sheet: A document provided by Disability Services for students with specific learning differences, e.g. dyslexia. Students bring this into the exam so that the exam marker is aware when they are marking the paper, to make sure they are not disadvantaged. When invigilators collect the exam scripts, they will staple the A4 PDF Considerate Marking Sheet to the exam script. Students must bring their own copy to the exam hall; it is a permitted item.

Invigilator/s: Members of staff who supervise the exam to ensure all regulations are followed. Invigilators supervise both in-person and online exams.

Types of Exams

Open-Book: You can use any notes, textbooks, or resources. This is usually specified in the exam instructions.
Open Book restricted: Only specified or approved textbooks, or resources.
Closed-Book (Written Standard): No notes, textbooks, or resources allowed.
Multiple choice exam: Questions with predefined answer options. Can be in person or online.
Essay-based exams: Requires written responses, often testing critical thinking and analysis.
Practical exams: Hands-on assessments, usually to test labs skills, performing arts or technical skills.
Oral exam: Spoken assessments, often used for language modules.

Types of Exams

At Warwick, there are typically two types of exams you will encounter:

Centrally timetabled exams

Organised by: The central exams team (Modules, Marks, Assessment Team), not departments.
Where they take place: Large-scale central venues, (.e.g. the Junction Building, Rootes Building) or via Warwick Assessment System online.
When: They take place during the main exam periods outlined in the academic calendar outlined on this pageLink opens in a new window.
Details: via the Exam Timetable and your Personalised Timetable.

Please note: These exams are a part of the official university exam schedule.

You can find more information about these on the Exams Team website.Link opens in a new window

Locally timetabled exams

Organised by: Your department (not the central exams team).
Where they take place: In smaller venues, such as departmental teaching rooms (often for smaller cohorts or specialist modules).
When: They take place outside the main exam periods outlined in the academic calendar.
Where to find details: Your department will confirm dates and times directly. Check your module page on Moodle (or myWBS for WBS students).

Please note: Any locally timetabled assessments/in-class tests do not appear on the general or personalised timetables. These types of assessments are organised and managed by your department, and they will provide all the necessary details to you.

Types of Exam Timetables

Your exam timetables will tell you essential details about about your exams such as the academic content, format, style and what to expect. You can also check Moodle (or MyWBS for WBS students) for specific academic guidance relating to your module(s).

Exam timetablesLink opens in a new window

What is it?

The university exam timetable provides a full list of all centrally timetabled exams scheduled across the university.
It includes details of all exams, covering: module code and exam title, date and start time, duration, whether the exam has reading time and the location (online or in-person).

How to use it:

Use the timetable to find your module codes and check when your exams are scheduled.
It is published about a week before your Personalised Timetable is ready to view.
Top Tip: It can change (e.g. room updates), so check it regularly!

How to access it:

The timetable Link opens in a new windowis available as an Excel spreadsheet for each exam.

Your personalised timetableLink opens in a new window

What is it?

Your personalised timetable shows your individual schedule for all the centrally timetabled exams you'll take.
It includes all details listed on the general timetable, plus extra details like your seat-allocation for in-person exams (which will be different for each exam).

How to use it:

Use your personalised timetable as your main source of information, it's individual to you and the most reliable.
Top tip: if anything looks wrong (e.g. missing exams, incorrect modules) contact your home department's Programme Team immediately.

How to access it:

Your personalised timetable is available via Evision
You'll receive an email notification when it's ready to view.

Support Available - Staff and Policies

Department Support (and examples of what you may speak to them about)

Personal Tutor: general wellbeing and pastoral needs, mitigating circumstances, personal issues affecting your studies. Your PT may recommend that you speak to your department's Senior Tutor Link opens in a new windowfor more complex or ongoing issues.
Programme Team: handle administrative queries such as timetables, modules registrations, exam locations, alternative exam arrangements.
Module Tutor: supports your academic progress within a specific module, including academic guidance, coursework questions, exam information for that module.
Disabled Student ChampionLink opens in a new window: provides support with disability related queries, including: reasonable adjustments, alternative exam arrangements and guidance on accessing further support.

Disability ServicesLink opens in a new window

The Disability Services team provide advice, information and support to disabled students, including those with a specific learning difficulty or a long-term health condition (including mental health conditions).
Specialist advisers can help arrange appropriate support and adjustments.

Wellbeing and Student Support Team Link opens in a new window

Wellbeing Advisor's are available (online or in person) to support students with pastoral or welfare issues. They also offer a wide-range of self-help resources.

Students' Union Advice CentreLink opens in a new window

A free, confidential and independent advice service for all students. They can support with academic appeals, exams and assessments, mitigating circumstances and more.

Assessments and Exams TeamLink opens in a new window

The team can answer questions about exam procedures and regulations.

FAQs

Exam scheduling

What exams will I be entered for?

You will be entered for exams in the modules you are officially registered for. If you are not correctly registered for a module:

The exam/s for that module will not appear in your personalised timetable.
You will not be allocated a seat in the exam venue for in-person exams.

If anything looks incorrect on your personalised timetable, check your module registrations and contact your home department’s Programme Team as soon as possible.

To double check your modules:

1. In Evision - click on the Module RegistrationsLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window tab.
2. In Tabula - click on the ModulesLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowtab.

Why does the exam timetable take time to publish?

The exam timetable is published as early as possible, but creating it is a complex process that involves many steps. Here’s why it takes time:

All module registrations must be confirmed first before scheduling of the exam timetable can start.
Large exam periods (like summer) involves thousands of students and many modules, so co-ordination takes time.
Registration windows affect timing - scheduling can only begin after Term 1 (Autumn) and Term 2 (Spring) module registration close.

I'm unable to sit an exam on a particular date because of religious observance, what do I do?

If you are unable to sit an exam on a particular date because of religious observance, you must notify the Module, Marks and Assessment team by completing the Religious Observance Form.
Once submitted, your request will be forwarded to your department for review.
Requests to adjust the central examination schedule for such observance will be considered carefully.

To find out more, including:

Deadlines for 2025/26 requests
The Religious Observance Form
Guidance on how to complete the form

Visit the Religious Observance pageLink opens in a new window

Support available

Unexpected circumstances are negatively affecting my studies, what do I do?

Mitigating circumstances are serious, unexpected situations outside of your control that have a significant negative impact on your studies. If personal challenges such as illness, mental health difficulties, unexpected caring responsibilities or financial hardship are making it hard for you to study or sit exams, you may be eligible to submit a Mitigating Circumstances claim.

This can lead to support such as:

Resitting your exam later in the year without penalty.
Extra time to complete an assignment (deadline extension)
Adjustments to help protect your degree outcomes.
The ability to have an 'uncapped' reassessments (meaning your marks aren't capped)

Please note: it cannot lead to an increase in the component or module mark, and you’ll still need to complete the work.

How to apply
1. Speak to your Personal Tutor or Senior Tutor for advice and receive guidance on the process.
2. Submit a claim via: Tabula (Personal Circumstances tab) or on myWBS (for WBS students)
3. Provide evidence (this is usually required)
4. Your department will review and confirm next steps.

I may need to defer my exams, what do I do?

Deferral means postponing all exams in an exam period to the next available period. It’s a policy in place to support students who cannot complete their exams to the best of their ability due to difficult circumstances.

It must be requested before the exam period starts and you take your first exam.
Partial deferral is not allowed - you cannot defer just one exam; it applies to the whole exam period.

How to apply

If you wish to defer your exams, speak to your Personal Tutor or Senior Tutor, or the Wellbeing and Student Support team as soon as possible
Submit a Mitigating Circumstances request explaining why you need to defer.

For full policy details, see: Mitigating Circumstances and Deferral of Examinations PolicyLink opens in a new window

Reasonable adjustments and alternative exam arrangements

What are Reasonable Adjustments & Alternative Exam Arrangements?

Reasonable Adjustments are accommodations put in place to support students with disabilities or long-term health conditions. They ensure equal access to education and an inclusive learning environment throughout their studies. Examples include: access to assistive technology and alternative formats for learning materials. To apply for Reasonable Adjustments, students must book an appointment with Wellbeing Services.

Alternative exam arrangements are reasonable adjustments specifically for exams (e.g. extra time, rest breaks, separate room, scribe). They help students if standard exam arrangements would put them at a disadvantage. AEA's are a part of a Reasonable Adjustments plan, which must be discussed and agreed with Wellbeing. Once approved, to your department will confirm exam locations and arrangements (e.g. extra time) with you.

Important to note:

RA's and AEA's are not automatically put in place if you have a declared disability - you must make an appointment with the Disability Team to discuss your requirements.
Having a RA plan that provides accommodation for your studies does not automatically include alternative exam arrangements.
Once approved, AEAs usually carry forward through your academic progression (Year 1, 2, 3 etc) unless a students' needs change.

For more information:

Reasonable Adjustments | University of Warwick
Alternative Exam Arrangements - Wellbeing and Student Support Link opens in a new window

How do I apply?

Book an appointment with the Disability Team as soon as possible.
Speak to your department's Disabled Student Champion if you have any questions.

Important to note:

There are set deadlines Link opens in a new windowthroughout the year for requesting AEA's for upcoming exam periods. Students must book an appointment with Disability Services as soon as possible.
To ensure a students' individual needs are met, the process of discussing, planning and confirming AEA's takes time and involves lots of people (e.g. Disability Services, academic departments and Exams Teams).
Before officially being added to an RA plan, final confirmation needs to be provided by the student and Disability Services.

If you requested alternative exam arrangements late and the disability adviser you spoke to has confirmed that your claim was outside the University’s examination deadlines, you are advised to contact your department. If the format of your assessment allows, you may also want to add a few lines at the start of your assessment to clarify the situation.

How do Alternative Exam Arrangements work when taking exams?

In-person exams

For Term 1 and 2, your exams will likely take place in your home department.
For summer exams, your exams will take place in rooms arranged by the Central Exams Team.
If your exam is in your department, your personalised timetable in Evision will show 'INDEPT' as the exam venue. Your department will confirm exact location and arrangements to you.

Start Times for in-person exams (with approved AEA's)

Morning exams: 09:00 GMT/BST 
Afternoon exams: 13:30 GMT/BST

Important to note: occasionally there may be variations to these start times. If you are sitting exams in your department - you should follow the guidance provided by your department.

Online exams

For online exams that are taking place in Warwick Assessment System, you can find guidance on Reasonable Adjustments in WAS

In-person exams

What are standard exam start times? What are the start times when there's reading time included?

For in-person examinations with reading time, you’ll enter the exam room 20 minutes before the standard start times.

Students with reading time will have a total of 15 minutes undisturbed reading time before starting your exam.

If you have reading time, your personalised timetable will list the earlier start time.

Morning exams: Enter at 09.10 (standard start is 09.30am)
Afternoon exams: Enter at 13:40 (standard start is 14:00)

Online exams

What is the Warwick Assessment System (WAS) upload window?

After your exam ends, you have 30 minutes to upload and submit your answers in WAS:

This time isonly for uploading your work, not for continuing to work on your answers.
The 30 minutes will not appear on your exam timer; it starts automatically when the exam ends and closes after 30 minutes - there is no countdown, so track the time yourself.
After the 30 minutes, the upload window closes and WAS will not accept submissions.

If you miss the upload window:

Your assignment will be marked as a late submission and marked as zero.
Unless you successfully submit a mitigating circumstances claim to explain what unexpected issues outside of your control prevented you from submitting, and it is approved by your department.

If you have extra time due to having alternative exam arrangements, extra time only applies to your actual assessment time, and not the WAS upload time. This will remain at 30 minutes.

Deadline:The exact time your exam must be submitted by.
Late penalty: If you submit after the deadline, marks can be reduced to zero (unless you have approved mitigating circumstances).

What exams have an upload window in WAS?

The WAS upload window applies to:

FLOWassign (PDF Upload)exams withFixed TimeorTimeboxedexams.

The WAS upload does does NOT apply:

FLOWmultiexams where you type answers directly in WAS.
24 hour exams- you must upload and submit within the 24 hour period.

What do I do if I miss the WAS upload deadline?

If you do not submit your exam within the 20 minute upload window:

1. Notify your department -email the department that delivers your module and send your file immediately.

2. Take evidence- take time-stamped photos or screenshots of any technical issues you experienced (loss of internet connection (if anything is relevant). You can also request an 'information log of activity log' in WAS (this is available 1 hour after the end of your examination).

3. Submit a Mitigating Circumstances Claim in Tabula(if you can evidence that you had good reason from not completing and submitting your exam on time). Use the Mitigating Circumstances Portal. You must notify your department within 24 hours of the exam ending that you wish to submit a mitigating circumstances case

Then, in your claim, explain:

What happened during the 30-minute submission window (that meant that you could not submit your work on time)
How you used the 30 minutes.
How and when the problem was resolved.

Please note:The only available mitigation for technical issues in online examinations from 2024/25 will be reassessment.