Examinations

 
MCD Policy on the conduct of formal examinations 
2.4.1 Supervisor responsibilities 
All staff engaged in the supervision of a formal examination, written or oral, must ensure that the examination is conducted in accordance with these procedures, that each student under examination is treated fairly, and that no student receives unfair advantage.
The examination supervisor is responsible in particular for 
• obtaining sufficient examination booklets or writing paper, together with sufficient copies of the examination paper, from the RTI Registrar; 
• bringing spare pens, and if loose paper is supplied for writing, one or more filled staplers; 
• ensuring that sufficient copies of unmarked Bibles or other materials required for the examination are available to students; 
• checking that only permitted materials are brought by students into the examination; 
• ensuring that the examination commences and concludes on time; 
• filling in the attendance list of students present; and 
• forwarding securely all completed scripts to the RTI Registrar or to the first examiner.
 
2.4.2 Request for special examination conditions 
Students with disabilities may request examinations under special conditions. Such students must obtain written permission for these from the RTI Coursework Coordinator at least one week before the relevant examinations, and any conditions which may apply.
If an amanuensis is agreed to, the Coursework Coordinator must ensure that the person nominated to write the student’s paper is capable, agrees not to contribute in any way to the student’s content, and accepts that the examination supervisor will determine where and how the student and amanuensis will be placed.
A student may request permission to bring a computer into an examination room, but only on the condition that written permission from the RTI Coursework Coordinator is given one week prior to the date of the examination, and for good and particular reason. The Coordinator’s decision is final.

Where permission for examination under special conditions is given, the Coordinator must notify the examination supervisor at least two days prior to the examination, and the supervisor must ensure that appropriate arrangements and facilities are available.When special circumstances such as use of an amanuensis or computer have been approved, the examination supervisor must ensure that any resulting noise does not disturb other students.
 
2.4.3 Student responsibilities prior to the examination 
It is the responsibility of students to ascertain the dates and times at which they are required to attend for examinations, or to perform or submit other components of assessment. Absence or lateness due to misreading the examination timetable or similar error does not entitle a student to
any further examination or special consideration.
 
Students under the influence of alcohol or any other drug will be refused admission to the examination room by the examination supervisor.
Students must bring into the examination room a pen for writing, and may also bring loose pens, pencils and erasers.
Students must not bring into the examination room any equipment or materials not approved for use in the examination, unless such equipment or materials are left in a place indicated by the supervisor or placed under the chair of the candidate with the approval of the supervisor.
Where an amanuensis or computer has been approved, the student must accept the direction of the supervisor about their location, to prevent disturbance to other students undertaking the examination.
 
2.4.4 Requirements for the conduct of an examination 
The RTI must provide writing paper or examination books, and only scripts written on this paperwill be accepted for grading, unless written permission has been given by the RTI Coursework Coordinator. 
Where materials are permitted to be taken into the examination room, e.g. an unmarked copy of the Bible, this must be specified in the official unit description and on the examination paper.
A student who has two or more examinations timetabled for the same day may request a special sitting of one examination paper. Such a request must be made to the RTI Coursework Coordinator at least two weeks before the examination is due to be held.
Students will normally be admitted to the examination room fifteen minutes before the commencement of the examination for the purpose of reading the paper. Students may make notes on the examination question paper during this time, but not commence writing answers.
The examination supervisor gives a signal to indicate that writing may commence.
The examination supervisor warns the students ten minutes before the end of the examination, then gives a final signal at the end, when all writing must cease.
Unless otherwise specified on the examination paper, no student may commence writing or make any use of books or other materials before the signal to commence.
Unless directed otherwise, students must write their answer to each question on a separate page, and write the number of the question being answered in the top right-hand corner of each page (e.g. Q1), together with their student number.
Students who require writing paper or other materials, or who wish to speak to an examination supervisor, should raise one hand and keep it raised until the arrival of a supervisor.
Immediately following the conclusion of the examination, each student must staple or otherwise connect all pages of the examination script together, or enclose each examination book used in the cover of the preceding book.

Students must complete the following information on the cover sheet of the examination booklet, or on a fresh piece of paper connected to the front of the examination script: 
• her or his student number; 
• the name of the unit being examined; and 
• the number of each question answered from the examination paper, in the order of writing.
Students must remain seated until all examination scripts books and other materials have beencollected by the examination supervisor(s).
A student who does not answer any questions must submit a completed cover sheet.
 
2.4.5 Conduct prohibited during an examination 
No student may enter the examination room more than half an hour after the commencement of the examination, nor leave until half an hour after the commencement of the examination or during the last quarter of an hour. These rules are designed to ensure that all students are not disturbed during
the early and concluding stages of examination.
Apart from the numbering of questions and completion of covers, no writing is to be done after thesignal to cease writing.
In an examination room, no students may communicate except with the permission of an examination supervisor.
Students who wish to leave and then return to the examination room must first obtain the approval of an examination supervisor, who may require that the student be accompanied by a supervisor during the full period of absence.
The consumption of alcohol or drugs is not permitted in the examination room.