- Purpose
- Scope
- Legislative Context
- Definitions
- Supporting Documents
- Responsibility
- Actions
- 1. Examination rules
- 2. Examination Appeals
- 3. Management of centrally organised examinations
- 4. Management of non-centrally organised examinations
- 5. Personal exam adjustments and special consideration
- 6. Ensuring security of completed examination papers and other examination materials
- 7. Ensuring examination/s are appropriately marked and graded
- 8. Ensuring quality of examination (Continuous Improvement)
- Promulgation
- Implementation
- Records Management
This procedure mandates operational activities and assigns responsibilities to support the implementation of the Federation University Australia’s Higher Education Assessment (inclusive of FedTASKs) Procedure, in context with examinations and tests on a variety of delivery modes.
This procedure applies to examination of all Federation University Australia undergraduate and coursework postgraduate units and for those units offered through collaborative provision (ie through partner providers). However it does not apply to examination of individual students in higher degrees by research.
All staff of the University must comply with the Higher Education Assessment (inclusive of FedTASKs) Procedure and this procedure whenever they are engaged in any aspect of the assessment process.
Shift to online tests:
No face-to-face exams will be organised and coordinated at Federation University going forward. As the last resort, an Executive Dean can apply for an exemption to the Provost, for consideration and approval. This will only be considered as the very last alternative to the proposed assessment practice. This is a university decision aligned to alternative options now available to staff as part of their assessment planning. For further information, please consult your Directors, Learning and Teaching.
- Federation University Australia Statute 2021
- Part 5 – Division 1 – Academic Board
- Part 6 – Division 2 – Award Programs
- Part 6 – Division 3 – Academic Progress
- Part 6 – Division 5 – Suspension or exclusion on health or safety grounds
- Federation University Australia AcademicRegulations 2022
- Part 6 - Division 2 - Award Program
- Part 6 - Division 3 - Academic Progress
- Federation University Australia (Students) Regulations 2022
- Part 2 - Admission to become a student
- Division 5 - Assessment
- Part 2 - Admission to become a student
A complete list of definitions relevant to this procedure is contained within the Higher Education Assessment (inclusive of FedTASKs) Procedure.
A further list of definitions specifically relevant to this procedure is included below:
Term | Definition |
Alternative examination adjustments | Special examination arrangements, including take-home examinations, under different conditions or at different times or locations, that are designed to accommodate the needs of students who are unable to undertake their regular scheduled examination or take-home examination for reasons as approved by Disability and Learning Access Unit (DLAU) |
Assessment | Any type of assessment that does not require invigilation, e.g. take-home test, essay, portfolio, non-invigilated Moodle test |
Breach | An act or omission which is likely to have the effect of obtaining an advantage by unfair or unauthorised means |
Closed book examination | Students are not permitted to take into the examination room, any books, notes (either written on paper or on other items or on the person), electronic devices, calculators or pencil cases. All permitted materials, including drinks, must be transported in transparent containers. |
Deferred Examination | An application for deferment of an examination can only be made in exceptional circumstances and a student may not normally apply to have an examination deferred more than once in a particular unit in a given teaching period. |
Examination | Any invigilated assessment task (written or practical) or other written paper that is timetabled within an examination period and that forms part of the final results in a unit or courses and monitored in a face-to-face environment. |
Examination commencement time | The designated time in an examination when students are permitted to begin writing |
Examination period | The official examination periods (including deferred and supplementary periods) listed in the Unit Description and published on the Academic Calendar. |
Examination venue | A room in which an examination is taking place or about to take place. In the case of an online exam, there may not necessarily be a designated physical location. |
Examination supervisor | An invigilator tasked with overseeing the examination under university procedures and guidelines |
Invigilation (Online environment) |
Context: Online environment: The students computer is locked by a browser and recorded by webcam or live supervisor thus providing closer scrutiny of assessment practice aligned to the assessment integrity. Context: Face-to-face observation |
Non-invigilation (Online environment) | The students computer is not impacted by any lockdown browser or supervision. |
Online test | A form of assessment that measures student’s knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills aligned to learning outcomes. An online test can be delivered through various platforms including Moodle, Respondus etc. |
Other significant cause |
Other issues outside of hardship/trauma, loss or bereavement, and medical reasons that significantly impact on a student’s ability to prepare for, present to, undertake, and/or complete work or assessments including but not limited to:
|
Open book examination | An examination where any reference materials or items are permitted. |
Reading time | 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the examination which allows students to read the examination paper, unless otherwise specified |
Reading time (Online environment) | A set time in addition to the Timed Test Practice where the student can access the test material prior to commencing. This is normally a 10 minute additional time period. For online assessments, this time period is nominated by the Unit Coordinator. |
Reasonable adjustments |
Measures and adaptations are put in place to facilitate student participation in Unit and Courses while ensuring that academic standards and inherent requirements of the Unit are not compromised. Reasonable adjustments as a result of Special Consideration applications are relevant for the period outlined in the Special Consideration application. Reasonable adjustments as a result of a disability, and outlined in a Learning Access Plan are relevant for the duration of the Learning Access Plan. Students with a disability can re-negotiate, update or cancel adjustments and/or supports at any stage. |
Respondus TM | A software that provides additional security to online tests throughout the use recorded webcam footage and/or a computer restricting internet browser. |
Serious health condition | A health condition, including medical conditions, mental health conditions or disability that adversely impacts on a student’s capacity to successfully complete an assessment, progress in a courses or results in repeated behaviour that adversely impacts on other students or staff |
Special consideration - Deferred Examination | Acknowledgement by the Dean or delegate that a student has experienced or encountered some form of disadvantage or impediment that has prevented them from undertaking or completing an examination during the timetabled examination period. The University will schedule the deferred examination in the timetabled deferred examination period. Refer to Federation University Higher Education Special Consideration Procedure SS1967 |
Special consideration - General | Acknowledgement by the Dean or delegate that a student has experienced or encountered some form of disadvantage or impediment that has prevented them from performing on their merits in an assessment task/s. In such circumstances, the particular disadvantage or impediment will be taken into account when assessing the students work. To enable the student to demonstrate their achievement of the unit learning outcomes, they may be granted deferred assessment, supplementary examination, or extension of an assessment due date or other suitable accommodation deemed necessary. Such allowances may be made for one or more assessment tasks or units within any teaching semester. Grounds for a student to submit an application for Special Consideration include illness, psychological condition, loss or bereavement, hardship/trauma, family violence or other significant cause. Refer to Federation University Higher Education Special Consideration Procedure SS1967 |
Specified materials only examination | Students may be authorised to take into the examination room, items such as calculators, textbooks and/or notes, as specifically instructed. |
Supplementary assessment (examination context) | A supplementary assessment is an extra examination that occurs after a previous examination has occurred. It is offered in particular circumstances where failure would significantly impede a student’s progress or completion of the unit |
Take-home assessment | Conditions and instructions dictated according to the requirements of the unit which enable the student to complete the assessment away from the University |
Timed test practice (Online environment) | A set time period for an online test to be completed. All students undertake the test at the same time from their nominated location. The student can choose the location and/or attend Federation University computer spaces (as required). The Timed Test Practice will align with either a 9.30am start or 1pm start as prescribed by the exams office. |
- Academic Governance Policy
- Students and Support for Students Policy
- Higher Education Assessment (inclusive of FedTASKs) Procedure
- Higher Education Special Consideration Procedure
- Disability Learning Access Plan (LAP) Procedure
- Higher Education Deferral or Leave from Studies Procedure
- Deferment, Suspension or Cancellation of a Student's Enrolment (ESOS Specific) Procedure
- Equal Opportunity and Valuing Diversity Guidelines
Forms
- Guidelines for End of Semester Assessment (DOCX 162.4kb)
- Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching (as the Approval Authority) is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this procedure.
- Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) (as the Document Owner) is responsible for maintaining the content of this procedure as delegated by the Approval Authority.
Each of the mandatory procedures below, details the activity which must be conducted in accordance with the assessment principles referred to in the Higher Education Assessment (inclusive of FedTASKs) Procedure.
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Conducting examinations | Unit Coordinator |
|
B. | Timetabling examinations |
Coordinator, Examinations Unit Coordinator Global Professional School GPS |
|
C. | Booking examination rooms/venues | Coordinator, Examinations/Partners |
|
D. | Ensuring student Availability | Student |
|
E. | Resulting | Student HQ/Partners |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Dealing with examination complaints | Executive Dean or nominee |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Determining arrangements for units which include centrally organised examinations as part of the assessment |
Unit Coordinator Coordinator, Examinations |
|
B. | Scheduling of examinations | Coordinator, Examinations |
|
C. | Exam Locations |
Student Student HQ Coordinator, Examinations |
|
D. | Changes to Exam Location |
|
|
E. | Non-attendance at off-campus & disability exams |
Coordinator, Examinations Student HQ |
|
F. | Dictionaries in centrally coordinated examinations | Student |
|
G. | Supervision of centrally coordinated examinations | Coordinator, Examinations |
|
H. | Notifying students of exam timetables | Coordinator, Examinations |
|
I. | Approved alternative sittings arrangements outside of examination periods |
Unit Coordinator Coordinator, Disability Services Partners |
|
J. | Unexpected disruptions during exam session |
Coordinator, Examinations Partners |
|
K. | Exam scheduling across multiple time zones | Coordinator, Examinations/Partners |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Arranging non-centrally organised examinations, including take-home assessments |
Unit Coordinators GPS Partners Disability Services |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Alternative examination arrangements, including deferrals | Disability Services, Partners/GPS Coordinator, Examinations |
|
B. | Seeking approval to grant alternative examination arrangements | Student HQ and/or designated approval authority |
|
C. | Conducting supplementary/special consideration examination (not deferred examinations) |
Coordinator, Examinations GPS/Partners Unit Coordinators |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Submission, collection and distribution of Exam Papers to venues | Unit Coordinator (or delegate) Coordinator, Examinations/Partners |
|
B. | Distribution of exam materials to Academic Staff |
|
|
C. | Ensuring security of completed examination/s | Coordinator, Examinations Institutes/Schools/Academic staff/Partners |
|
D | Ensuring security of examination/s materials, including Script Books |
Coordinator, Examinations Institutes/Schools/Academic staff/Partners |
|
E | Protecting confidentiality of students |
Unit Coordinator/ Partners |
|
F | Retaining/disposing of students' examination/s | Academic staff/Partners |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Marking and grading examination/s is based on criterion referencing | Academics/Partners |
|
B. | Accessing exam scripts following publication | Academic Staff |
|
C. | Requesting second marking |
Unit Coordinator/ Partners |
|
D. | Granting of special consideration | Executive Dean of Institute/Dean of Institute/School or nominee |
|
E. | Assessing supplementary examination |
Unit Coordinator/ Partners |
|
F. | Recording examination results |
Student Administration/ GPS/Partners |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Benchmarking of examination/s |
Associate Dean, Teaching Quality or nominee |
|
B. | Ensuring examination integrity | Unit Coordinator |
|
C. | Student Identity Verification |
Unit Coordinator Coordinator Examinations, Student |
A student must provide photographic proof of identity when undertaking invigilated examinations. An invigilated examination cannot be graded without proof of identity |
The Higher Education Examinations Procedure will be communicated throughout the University community in the form of:
- An Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the ‘Recently Approved Documents’ page on the ‘Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University’ website to alert the University-wide community of the approved Procedure.
- Partner communications
The Higher Education Examinations Procedure will be implemented throughout the University via:
- Information Sessions; and/or
- Training Sessions;
- Partner communications.
Document Title | Location | Responsible Officer | Minimum Retention Period |
Proof of collection/delivery/transfer of completed exam materials between staff members. | Institute Administrative Office | Senior Manager, Academic Courses | Until the completed exam has been marked and marks recorded in a university endorsed system of record. |
Amendment to Result Form | Institute Administrative Office | Senior Manager, Academic Courses | Destroy 7 years after action completed |
Examination Benchmarking/Validation schedule | University's approved records management system | Senior Manager, Academic Courses | Destroy 7years after action completed |
Final Examination Results |
University's approved student management system Institute Administrative Office if hard copy |
Senior Manager, Academic Courses | Permanent |
Record of Examination (Master Copy of Exam Paper) | Institute Administrative Office or transferred to Central Records, if hard copy, or otherwise retained in a University's approved records management system in line with the Records Management policy and procedure. | Senior Manager, Academic Courses /Partner | Destroy 7 years after action completed |
Student completed exam paper/booklets | Institute Administrative Office | Senior Manager, Academic Courses /Partner | Destroy 2 years after administrative use has concluded |