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With the Later Summer Assessment (LSA) period on the horizon, we want you to have all the information you need to feel prepared and feel less stressed.  

The LSAs will usually be used if you need to resit or have deferred an assessment.

Find out the date and time of your exams

If you are taking centrally managed exams in the LSA period, your timetable should have been published on 22 July. Find instructions on how to view your exam timetable and add it to your online calendar on the UCL website

Exams which are managed by your department may not appear on your timetable. Your department will provide you with information about these exams instead. 

Check what type of exam you are taking

Your assessment may take place via a digital assessment platform or at an in-person examination venue.

Plan your revision

Planning your revision in advance is hugely valuable and will help you feel less overwhelmed about your workload. Make sure to create a revision timetable, set realistic targets and schedule in regular study breaks. You can find some further tips in UCL’s Assessment Success Guide. 

Sit a practice exam on AssessmentUCL

Sitting a practice exam will greatly reduce stress and if your exams are online, they'll often take place on UCL’s digital platform AssessmentUCL. You can find a step-by-step guide on how to use the online assessment platform and sit a practice exam on the UCL website.  

Get familiar with your exam venue

In person centrally managed assessments for the LSAs will take place on the Bloomsbury Campus. Check where the venue is and plan your route in advance using the TFL journey planner.

Apply for exam adjustments

If you have a disability or any other health conditions that may impact your exams, you can apply for reasonable adjustments. For the LSAs, you must ensure that your application is submitted by Monday 29 July. You can find more information about applying for exam adjustments on the UCL website. 

If you miss this deadline, you may be able to apply for Extenuating Circumstances to delay an assessment instead. 

Extenuating Circumstances

Are you already finding things difficult and worried about your exams?  

Hopefully, you can still succeed in your assessments. But if any personal circumstances, such as physical and mental health issues, problems at home, or a bereavement are going to stop you doing your best in exams, then you can take steps now. It’s often possible to extend deadlines or delay or an assessment until things are a bit better. 
UCL are unlikely to accept Extenuating Circumstances claims made after the relevant deadline, so it's important to consider if you want this to be taken into account in advance.

We have some useful information on applying for Extenuating Circumstances and our Advice Service can provide more support if you need it.

Avoid Academic Misconduct

UCLs have rules on Academic Integrity for both online, open book, and in person assessments. This includes rules on referencing and avoiding plagiarism, working with your fellow students, getting help writing assessments, and using Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

UCL uses Turnitin to check for similarities with sources and others work, and can also monitor your online activity during assessments for use of unauthorised resources such as ‘homework help’ websites. 

If Academic Misconduct is found in your assessments, UCL will give you a penalty. Read this article from a fellow UCL student on avoiding academic misconduct and speak to our Advice Service if you find yourself in this situation.

A note on AI

Whilst it may be tempting to ask an AI tool to write or edit an assessment answer, UCL staff are likely to notice this.
One of the limitations of AI includes not being able to provide references. Therefore, your work may contain well formatted but false references, which staff reviewing your assessement are likely to spot and question.
AI tools can also produce superficial or even just incorrect output, and therefore staff with an understanding of your subject are also likely to spot and question this.

Instead, you should check how much AI is permitted to be used in your individual assessments and how you should acknowledge it, as you may be able to use it to assist you.

UCL have guidance on Engaging with AI in your education and assessment which explains how you can use and acknowledge AI.

Speak to someone

If you are struggling with some pre-exam stress or finding it difficult to revise, reach out to us or UCL.

UCL’s  Student Support and Wellbeing team is on hand to offer support, as is the 24 hour Student Support Line