We know that sometimes unexpected events happen, including during exams.
The information on this page is designed to help you understand what to do if, for example, you fall ill on the day of your exam.
If you're in any doubt about what to do when unexpected circumstances affect your exams, contact your department immediately.
Try to arrive at the correct venue at least 20 minutes before the published start time. This is so you can have the best possible start to your exam.
If you're late, the following rules will apply:
Example: Exam timetabled for 9.30am to 11.30am (duration two hours/120 minutes)
If you arrive before 10.10am (40 minutes after the start of the exam) you will still be able to sit the exam but you will not be granted any extra time.
If you arrive after 10.10am you will not be permitted to sit the exam and will be recorded as absent.
You will not regain any time you've lost by being late. But your exam script will be annotated by the invigilator to show the time at which you were admitted. At the end of the exam, the invigilator will take note of the circumstances that delayed your arrival.
If there were circumstances out of your control that caused your lateness, you should submit personal circumstances.
You're responsible for regularly checking your exam timetable. You must note down correctly the dates, times, and locations of all your exams.
If you miss an exam without good reason, you will be recorded as absent for that exam and will forfeit an attempt.
If you misread the timetable and/or fail to find the venue, this will be treated as an absence. You will forfeit an attempt.
It's important that you prepare for the exam in advance. Know your locations and check your timetable regularly for any changes.
If you're ill at any time during an exam period, including on the day of an exam, you should contact your academic department as soon as possible. You should also submit Personal Circumstances with supporting medical evidence.
If you feel ill during an exam, inform an invigilator by raising your hand. They'll get help if necessary.
Your answer book and the register of attendance will be annotated with a brief description of what happened. This will include the time it happened and how for long you were unable to take part in the exam.
If you're unwell but can continue the exam after a short time, the period of time lost will be noted by the invigilator on your answer book.
If you feel your illness impacted your performance in the exam, you need to submit personal circumstances.
If you have a panic attack or mental health crisis during an exam, inform an invigilator by raising your hand. The invigilator will ensure that you are helped. If an invigilator notices that you are looking distressed, they may approach you and check whether you need assistance.
Your answer book and the register of attendance will be annotated with a brief description of what happened. This will include the time it happened and how for long you were unable to take part in the exam.
If you can continue the exam after a short time, the period of time lost will be noted by the invigilator on your answer book.
If you feel your performance in the exam was impacted, you need to submit personal circumstances.
Please refer to the information on the Personal Circumstances page.
The University acknowledges that students can occasionally encounter circumstances that negatively impact their studies, attendance and/or performance in assessments/exams. The University defines these as Personal Circumstances.
Circumstances which you feel have contributed to you not being able to perform in or attend exams, for example:
The list is not exhaustive. More information can be found on the Personal Circumstances webpage.
Follow the directions on the Personal Circumstances Procedure page.
All students have the opportunity to make an Academic Appeal once they have been notified of the exam board decision; you cannot appeal before this time. You should submit Personal Circumstances as outlined above as soon as possible.
An academic appeal is when you formally ask the University to review a decision made about your results, progression, or award. It is a way to challenge academic decisions if you believe something has gone wrong in the process.
If you want to make an appeal, you’ll need to explain your reasons (known as “grounds for appeal”) and provide evidence to support your grounds. There is more information on the Academic Appeals webpage.
There are two steps in the appeals process: Stage 1 is a Faculty Appeal, and Stage 2 is a Senate Appeal. Each stage has its own grounds for appeal, deadlines, and process, which are explained on the Academic Appeals webpage.
If you need to raise an appeal, seek further advice from The Advice Hub.
You can speak to your Personal Development Adviser, Course Director/Year Adviser, Disability and Wellbeing Service, and the Advice Hub at Strath Union.
The Advice Hub can help you with understanding the appeals process, what evidence can be submitted, and how to format what you write. They are an independent and impartial support service for all students.
For more information, see the Strath Union Advice Hub webpages.