Changes to Exams and Grades
The UOW Exam Rules have been changed and could affect the way you prepare for your exams this year. The new practices will be implemented from the Trimester 1 (SBS) and Autumn Session exams.
Key changes have been summarised below, and you'll find more information on the Exams and Results page of the Current Students website.
Scheduling of exams
- Exams now have a standard duration of either 1 hour, 2 hours or 3 hours, with writing permitted from the outset. Exam papers will be reviewed by subject coordinators to take into account the removal of 15 minutes of writing time.
- Afternoon exams will now start at 1:30pm, and evening exams will start at 6pm. Morning exams will continue to start at 9am.
- You will be able to apply for adjustments to your exam timetable if you have scheduling difficulties, for example: more than two exams on one day, more than three exams on two consecutive days, or extenuating circumstances as outlined in the Student Academic Consideration Policy.
Permitted materials in exams
- If you need a calculator in your exam, you will need to make sure your calculator is from a list of eligible models, and that it displays an approved calculator label. You will receive more information via SOLS on how to get an approved label. If your calculator does not display the label it will be confiscated by exam supervisors.
- International students will no longer be allowed access to foreign language translation dictionaries in exams. This decision has been made after careful consideration of the needs of all students in exams. International students who would like to improve their English language skills will find the International Student Programs and Learning Development websites helpful.
- If you are allowed to bring textbooks and other reference material to your exam, you can mark these texts in whatever way you wish (underlines, tabs, notes, highlights, markings) unless there are instructions to the contrary in your subject outline.
- If you are allowed to bring textbooks to your exam, you may bring UOW Library copies of these textbooks, unless there are instructions to the contrary in your subject outline.
Grade changes
- Undergraduate students may be affected by changes to some of the grades they may be awarded:
- The grades Pass Conceded (PC) and Pass Restricted (PR) will no longer be used (currently used for marks between 45% and 49%)
- The Fail (F) grade will be awarded for subject marks between 0% and 49% (currently between 0% and 44%)
- PC and PR grades awarded before 2012 will not change.
- If you fail a subject, but were close to passing, you might be offered a supplementary assessment, giving you another chance to pass.
Supplementary Assessment
- Undergraduate students may be given an opportunity to re-take an assessment in an attempt to pass a subject that they may otherwise fail. If you do narrowly fail a subject, your Faculty will look at your overall academic performance, and consider whether you could pass the subject given a supplementary assessment. Your Faculty will decide if it's appropriate to offer you a supplementary asessment; you can't ask or apply.
- If you complete a supplementary assessment and pass the subject, you'll be awarded a mark of 50% (and no more than 50%), and a grade of Pass Supplementary (PS).
All of these changes have been made to improve the exam experience for students.
We'll be sending you more information during the session to make sure you know more about these changes and that you will be well-prepared for your exams. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact the Exams Team and we'll be happy to help.
Further Information
- Find a list of approved calculators and how to get your calculator labelled.
- Learn more about changes to grades on the Legend of Grades.
- See all the details on supplementary assessments.