All your questions related to exams answered

We’ve put together a list of commonly asked questions related to exams.

On this page:

Exam preparation

Open-book exams require preparation just like other types of assessment. These exams go beyond rote learning. You will not be asked to repeat from your notes and searching Google for answers is unlikely to be a productive use of exam time. Open-book exams assess your ability to use the information you have learnt to solve problems and present evidence-based arguments.

A practice assessment may be available for you in iLearn before the end of the teaching period (Week 13) so you can familiarise yourself with how your online exam will work and can ensure you have the computer software you need.

Tip: Practice answering sample questions (if available) within a set time limit. Past exam papers are available from the library for some units.

If you have an online invigilated exam via Zoom, please be sure to do a practice exam session to be held in Week 13. A link to book a practice session will be sent to your MQ email address during week 11. Practice sessions run by the central exams team will cover logistics only (eg. practice using Zoom and iLearn for an exam, procedures for ID checks, starting, responding and submitting online exams) but these sessions will NOT cover any content from your unit.

Tip: use the same computer and internet connection that you plan to use for the real exam to ensure it is properly set up and working well.

Please see our guide for online invigilated exams with zoom [PDF 778KB].

Exam logistics

No. If you have two exams scheduled on the same day at different start times (for example, at 9.00am and 1.30pm), you cannot move these exams and you are expected to sit both.

Financial aid is available for students in need to assist with purchasing required equipment.

Spaces are available on campus to undertake online exams. This includes rooms where you can use your own laptop, as well as on-campus PC labs where computers are provided. If you need to use one of these spaces, please submit this booking form.

Supplementary exams are conducted in the same format as the in-session exams.

Note: Taking a supplementary exam may impact the units you can enrol into in future study periods. You will need to submit a special consideration application and will be contacted about your supplementary exam details.

Exam support

You can contact the Accessibility team on +61 (2) 9850 7497 or wellbeing@mq.edu.au.

On campus exam: If you are unwell or become unwell during a final exam, you will need to speak to the exam supervisor as soon as you feel unable to continue.  You will also need to apply for special consideration - you will need to submit the form as soon as possible after the exam.

Online exam: If you are unwell or become unwell during the final exam, you will need to apply for special consideration. Note you'll need to submit the form as soon as possible.

We are opening several socially distanced spaces on campus in PC labs. These spaces are for those who don't have access to a computer and/or suitable quiet space at home or have unreliable internet. If you need to use one of these spaces, please submit this booking form.

Exam content

You should first refer to the iLearn unit and look at the 'Exam period assessment' tab, which will match the information on your exam timetable. Any changes to assessments have been updated in your iLearn unit. Do not use any assessment details published in your unit guide.

Your lecturer is the best person to tell you what to expect in the exam and what materials you can bring into the exam.

The University has general rules that will apply to you in every exam you sit. Find out more about the Assessment Policy, Assessment Procedures, Section E Final Examination Requirements

Submit an AskMQ enquiry.

On campus exams

The exam room listed in your individual exam timetable is shown using the street name followed by the room number. For example, an exam held in room 11WW 130 means the building is 11 Wally’s Walk and the room number is 130.

If you have trouble finding your exam room, you can visit Service Connect on the Ground Floor, 18 Wally’s Walk or use the campus map.

The exam room listed in your individual exam timetable is shown using the street name followed by the room number. For example, an exam held in room 11WW 130 means the building is 11 Wally’s Walk and the room number is 130.

Have a look at the campus map before your exam to find your way to the exam room. It’s also a great idea to arrive early, in case you have trouble finding your exam room.

Tip: If you have trouble finding the room on exam day, you can ask Service Connect on the Ground Floor, 18 Wally’s Walk.

Please follow the supervisor's instructions on the day.

If you’re late for an exam, you are not permitted to enter the exam venue after one hour from the start (excluding reading time). We have a ‘Fit to Sit’ policy for exams, so you must sit your exam unless you have serious and unavoidable circumstances that may be considered in an application for special consideration.

A number of precautions are being put in place:

  • Reduced seating in exam rooms to ensure required spacing between desks.
  • Automatic hand sanitiser dispensers will be available for staff and student to use.
  • Desks will be wiped down between each exam with antibacterial wipes.
  • Single use face masks will be available. However please feel free to wear your own if you would prefer.

However, it is very important that if you are unwell, you must not attend campus. Please stay at home to avoid putting our community at risk. If you have respiratory symptoms, a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms you should get tested for COVID-19, as per National Guidelines.

  • Students can also use a Driver's License or NSW Photo Card
  • If student has no ID, Service Connect can produce a temporary exam card
    • Temporary Exam cards must be returned at the end of the exam, and only one can be printed per exam period

Materials/items that must be taken to an exam:

Photo ID – Students will need to bring their Macquarie University Campus Card as photographic proof of identity to each examination. Other forms of acceptable photographic ID include a current Australian drivers licence, a current Australian Proof of Identity card or a current passport.

Stationery – Students should bring pens, pencils, erasers, rulers and other drawing instruments that may be needed for an exam in a clear non-coloured plastic bag.

Materials/items that may be taken into an exam:

Water – Students can bring bottled water into the exam however the bottle must not have any labels, stickers or any handwritten notes on it (e.g. plastic or metal flasks).

Electronic devices – (such as computers, tablets, and phones), purses and wallets may be brought into an examination room but must be placed under the student's desk before the exam commences. All electronic devices must be switched off.

Watches – You may bring a watch, however, all watches must be removed and placed at the top of the examination desk, where they can be seen clearly and easily by supervisors, and must remain there for the duration of the exam. All alarms and alerts must be switched off.

Other items – Students should check well in advance if any additional materials are required. Ensure any additional materials (eg. calculator, translation dictionaries) comply with the stated requirements.

Online exams

No, you can only sit your exam once and there are only a handful of exams with multiple offerings. Find out more information on iLearn.

You can find details regarding the assessment and special technical requirements (if any) that apply to your exam in iLearn under the 'Exam period assessment' tab.

See the general suggested minimum technical IT requirements [PDF 50KB].

If your exam is online invigilated via Zoom then you will need the Zoom client installed.

Please see the guide for online invigilated exams with zoom [PDF 778KB].

See also the FAQ "Will I have a practice run of this type of exam prior to the actual period?".

Students that are required to sit an exam with remote online invigilation will be emailed further information. Exams in the timetable with the notation 'Invigilated online exam' will require students to sit the exam under supervision using Zoom with a web camera turned on.

Make sure you have read the guide for online invigilated exams [PDF 691KB].

If you have an IT issue, such as being unable to access iLearn or upload a document to Turnitin, call the IT Service Desk on +61 (2) 9850 4357.

If you have IT issues during the exam:

  1. Contact the IT Service Desk.
  2. If the IT Service Desk can't solve the problem, please write details of the issue(s) you’re experiencing and how long you were affected. You may want to take a screenshot of your computer screen demonstrating the issue. This information may be required if you need to submit a special consideration.

Don’t panic. The University is here to support you and we recognise that some students may experience technical difficulties at the worst possible time. If the problem:

  • only impacts iLearn or a specific Macquarie system, (meaning other websites are still working), contact the IT Service Desk.
  • is with your own computer (for example, if your browser crashed), try restarting the browser, changing to a different browser, or try restarting your computer.
  • appears to be with your own internet connection, try rebooting your internet modem. If that fails, contact your Internet service provider. Request a ticket number for confirmation.

If the problem continues, write down the details of the issue(s) you are experiencing and how long you were affected. You may want to take a screenshot or photo of your computer screen demonstrating the issue. This information may be required if you need to submit a special consideration.

If you believe there is an error in your exam, such as a grammatical error altering the meaning of the question or an error in the multiple-choice answers, complete the exam to the best of your ability, then submit an Exam Error form.

Note: If you need real-time help during an online exam, please contact the Exams Hotline:

You will not get a response from the exams error form. Information submitted to the error form will be communicated to UCs/markers following the exam for consideration in the marking process.

Students located offshore who have an exam scheduled to run outside of the hours of 7am to 10pm in their local time zone can apply for an alternative sitting date and time.

Note: Live help is not available during an exam taken outside business hours. Read our exam support page to know more about getting support.

Service Connect