With exam season on the horizon, we want you to have all the information you need to feel prepared and feel less stressed.
Find out the date and time of your exams
If you are taking centrally managed exams in the main exam period, your timetable should have been published on 26 February. 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 Excel London
While there are a small number of exams taking place on campus, there’s a high chance you'll likely be sitting them at ExCeL London. Plan your route in advance using the TFL journey planner, and arrive at least 30 minutes early to find your seat. All the information you need to know is in UCLs Exams at ExCeL London guide.
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 main exam period, you must ensure that your application is submitted by Wednesday 27 March. 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.
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).
A note on AI - whilst it may be tempting to ask an AI tool to write an assessment answer, UCL staff are likely to notice 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 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.
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.