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Exams - Frequently Asked Questions

The Examinations Office have compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions to assist you in your exam preparation. If you have any questions which have not been addressed below, please email the Examinations Office. Please note that the Frequently Asked Questions should be read in conjunction with the Examination Rules, which govern all examinations.

Exam timetables and venues

When will the December 2012 exam timetable be released?

The confirmed timetable for December 2012 examinations has now been published.

Where do I access the exam timetable?

 The main exam timetable can be found by clicking on: Exam Timetable

When accessing the exam timetable please ensure to read and note the details of the cover note at the top of the exam timetable.

Individual Personal Exam Timetables can also be accessed through iSaint. (Click on ‘Personal Exam Timetable’ under the ‘Academic’ tab.)

Where do I find directions to the exam venues?

Directions to Examination Venues (PDF, 41 KB)

An exam is missing from my personal exam timetable, what should I do?

If the modules shown on your Personal Exam Timetable are inaccurate in any way you must immediately contact the Examinations Office at examoff@st-andrews.ac.uk or telephone extension 4100.

I have two exams on the same day / I have a few exams very close together. Can these be changed?

Students are advised to note the following conventions used in compiling the examination timetable:

  • Students at all levels may have examinations on consecutive days.
  • Sub-honours students may have two sub-honours examinations on one day.
  • Honours students will not normally have two honours examinations on the same day.

Please note that no further changes can be made to the exam timetable, as the confirmed exam timetbale has now been released.

All queries should be addressed as soon as possible to the Examinations Office . 

I have an entitlement to extra time in my examinations, but this is not showing in my Personal Exam Timetable. Should I be concerned?

For technical reasons, the Personal Exam Timetable only shows the standard duration for each examination. If you are entitled to an extra time allowance, the Invigilator will have the details and the end time of your examinations will be adjusted accordingly.

If you are unsure of your extra time entitlement, you can confirm this by checking e-Vision or by contacting Student Services.

I have an entitlement to an individual room. How can I find out the room details?

Details of the precise venue for each of your examinations are available to you in your online personal exam timetable. Your Personal Exam Timetable can be accessed through iSaint (click on 'Personal Exam Timetable' under the 'Academic' tab.)

Exam preparation

Where do I find past exam papers?

Past exam papers can be accessed via iSaint. (Click on ‘Past Papers’ under the ‘Academic’ tab.) If the past paper you require is not available via iSaint, please check with the relevant School in the first instance.

I would like to know information about the format of my exam paper etc. Who should I contact?

Students who require information regarding the format of their exam paper should contact their School for details.

Exams make me really nervous. Do you have any advice?

It is normal to be stressed or anxious about your exams. You could download the Flash Player is required for the embedded audio player. Download: Student Services - Exam relaxation (MP3, 5,149 KB), check the events page for upcoming exam help sessions or make an appointment to contact Student Services and speak to a Counsellor.

The Exam Anxiety webpage may also be useful to you.

Special exam arrangements

I have a disability/medical condition that may affect my studies and living arrangements. What sort of support can be put in place?

Student Services offer a wide range of teaching / exam assistance. This can range from extra time on exams, the use of a note taker / personal helper to adaptations in student accommodations to meet your needs.

In order for your support to be set up, it is important that you meet with one of the Counsellors, as they are the only staff members within the University who can asses your needs and set up your support.

Prospective Students should contact Student Services as soon as they consider applying to St Andrews, and more importantly, once they have been offered a place.

It is important to note that you must register your disability / medical condition to Student Services no later than 31 October for Semester 1 entrants and 31 March for Semester 2 entrants. Failure to meet these dates will mean that arrangements will not be put in place at the next exam diet.

To arrange an appointment with a Disability Adviser please email The Advice and Support Centre.

I have a temporary injury. What do I need to do to be considered for a special provision in my exams?

The University is keen to provide support to all its students in need. If you have recently suffered an injury you should contact Student Services as soon as possible. They can be contacted by calling the Advice and Support Centre on extension 2020.

I have a scribe/reader for my exams, where will I meet the scribe / reader?

Students who have a scribe / reader for their exams should proceed directly to their allocated exam venue. They will be met there by their scribe / reader and invigilator.

Illness/absences

I’m not going to be able to take my exam. What should I do?

If you are unable to sit an examination due to illness or other unavoidable reason you should do the following as soon as possible:

  • Submit a Self Certificate of Absence form through eVision
  • Notify the Examinations Office by phone (01334) 46 4100.
  • Please note that deferred assessment is not automatically guaranteed, and you'll need to talk to your School about your options.
  • You might also want to discuss the issues affecting you with Student Services.

I have missed an exam. What should I do?

If you have missed an exam for any reason you should do the following as soon as possible:

  • Submit a Self Certificate of Absence form.
  • Notify the Examinations Office by phone (01334) 46 4100.
  • Please note that deferred assessment is not automatically guaranteed, and you'll need to talk to your School about your options.
  • You might also want to discuss the issues affecting you with Student Services

Student concerns about exams

I have an exam, but I am experiencing difficulties (illness, bereavement, personal circumstances) which are affecting my ability to revise, and I don't feel I will perform well in the exam. Should I sit the exam anyway?

This is entirely your choice, but there are several things you should be aware of. If you choose not to sit the exam, you will need to provide some evidence as to why you were unable to attend the exam. Deferred assessment is not automatically guaranteed, and you'll need to talk to your School about your options. However, if you choose to sit the exam (especially if the School offer you deferred assessment), it is much more difficult to make allowances for your circumstances at a later date. You should also bear in mind that if you pass a module, you cannot take the module again.

Who do I tell if there are circumstances affecting my academic performance, including my examinations?

Take a look at Circumstances Affecting Academic Performances and Absence from Examinations. You must tell your school as soon as possible, but you may also wish to inform Student Services.

I won’t be able to take the exam when scheduled. When will my deferred assessment take place?

Deferred assessment is not automatically granted if you cannot attend an exam. The School will determine whether or not to offer you a deferred assessment based on your reasons for being unable to attend. It is highly likely that they will require proof of your reasons for absence. The School will also determine when the deferred assessment will take place, and this could be anytime from the final day of the examination diet until the end of the resit diet.

If you do not attend the exam and are not granted deferred or alternative assessment you may not gain credit for the module. Therefore it is vital that you seek advice from the school, and ensure that you will be able to provide any documentation that they require to grant your absence from the exam and the deferred/alternative assessment.

I would like to provide feedback on the examinations process. Who should I send this to?

The Examinations Office strives to provide you with the best possible exam experience. We greatly welcome any feedback or comments you might have.

Any feedback relating to the exam venue, exam invigilator, exam timetable or general exam arrangements should be emailed to the University Examinations Officer

Feedback relating to the content of your examination paper should be emailed to the relevant School.

Matriculation cards

Am I required to bring my matriculation card to my exams?

Impersonation of a student at examinations is a form of Academic Misconduct and it is essential that every student can verify their identity at examinations.

For this reason, students are required to produce their student matriculation card at all University examinations.

I have lost my matriculation card. What should I do?

If you lose your ID card please check with IT Services (ITS) staff by emailing idcards@st-andrews.ac.uk or phoning 01334 462755 before ordering a new card in case it has been found and handed in.

If it is not possible for you to obtain a new matriculation card before your next exam, the University will accept a driving licence or passport as photo identification.

Please note that if you lose your card between 5.00 pm on a Friday and 9.00 am on a Monday you should also notify the University Library in addition to contacting BI staff. Please report your lost card to the Library Service Desk (01334 462283).

There is a £15 charge for a replacement card. To ensure a fast and efficient process you can only pay for your replacement card online with a debit or credit card. The online payment system will automatically notify BI of your payment and replacement card request.

If you make your payment by 12 noon you will be able to collect your card from the IT Service Desk in the main library after 4pm on the same day. If you make your payment after 12 noon you will be able to collect your card from the IT Service Desk on the following day after 10am.

Please note: you must show another form of identification (bank card, driving licence or passport) to the IT Service Desk staff when you go to collect your new card.

Permitted materials in examinations

Am I allowed to bring my bag to my exams?

Students are permitted to bring their bag to the exam venue, however, bags and other such articles must be left in designated areas at the front or back of the examination hall (depending on the venue concerned and the number of candidates).

Am I allowed to bring my mobile phone / iPod / other electronic device to my exam?

  • Candidates are not permitted to keep any electronic devices on their person during examinations (unless with the prior written permission of the Examinations Officer).
  • Electronic devices include (but are not limited to) mobile telephones, music players and electronic wristwatches.
  • It is a breach of the Examination Rules for the student to have any form of electronic device on their person during an exam, even if the device has not been accessed during the exam.
  • Students who do bring electronic devices to the exam venue must leave them in their bag at the back of the exam room.
  • The University accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to mobile telephones or other electronic devices while in the exam room. For this reason, the University recommends that students do not bring any electronic devices to the exam venue, and instead leave them at home.

Can I bring food / drink to my exam?

No candidate may bring any food or drink into the examination hall, with the exception of water in a plastic bottle.

Can I bring a dictionary to my exam?

  • There is no objection in principle to the use of a dictionary by a student whose native language is not English at class and/or degree examinations. This applies also to all non-graduating students whose native language is not English.
  • The dictionary to be used on such occasions should normally be a non-technical, one-volume (two-way) dictionary between English and the student's native language. The use of electronic dictionaries is not permitted.
  • A student eligible to use a dictionary on this basis must obtain a note from the Head of School concerned confirming that the use of a dictionary has been authorised and should present it to the Chief Invigilator in the examination hall at the start of each examination. This note would apply to all examination papers in all examinations in that subject for that session, unless otherwise stipulated by the Head of School. Similarly the Head of School should stipulate whether the use of any particular dictionary is authorised or prohibited for a particular examination or paper.
  • Students allowed to use a dictionary should normally be required to sit at the back of the examination hall or block of students for a particular examination (to minimise disturbance to other candidates).
  • Any departure from the general policy set out above should require prior authorisation by the appropriate Faculty Officer who should inform the Examinations Officer of any special arrangements approved.
  • S-code and special circumstances. Any unauthorised material will be removed by invigilators and returned to candidates at the end of the examination.

Exam results

When will my exam results be available?

Exam results from the December 2012 examinations can be accessed online from Friday 18 January 2013, 9am.

How do I access my exam results?

Exam results can be accessed via the iSaint student portal. (Click on ‘Your Grades’ under the ‘Academic’ tab).

Results can also be accessed via your Student Record Card.