toolbox
Organize test taking for written tests
How test taking for written tests is organized may differ a bit from one study programme to another. The most important thing, therefore, is to ask colleagues and the education office (BOZ) of your study programme what the current practice is. If you have questions, a programme coordinator can also be a good source of information. In addition, the EER and Examination Board's Rules & Regulations (a.k.a. Rules & Guidelines) provide information on a number of matters, for example, how much time you have to grade tests or what is meant by fraud. Information may also be provided on the (internal) website of your study programme, for example on the website of the Examination Board.
The Examinations Office | Home SA&L (utwente.nl) is responsible for managing and coordinating institution-wide all aspects of the test taking process for written tests. On the website you can inform yourself about the test taking process; 1. Scheduling exams 2. Preparing exams 3. Preparing exams location 4. Administer exams 5. Assess exams 6. Register exams results 7. Extra Facilities Form.
If students are eligible for extra facilities (the study advisor needs to have informed the Examination Office about assigned examination facilities), the Examination Office will arrange these facilities.
If you administer the test digitally, you can inform yourself about the practical issues via this site: Digital exams | Digital Exams | Home SA&L (utwente.nl).
More general information about the digital systems in use (licensed) at the UT, can be found here:
>> Contest
>> Remindo
>> Grasple
Beside the suggestions above, some other general tips and points for attention may be helpful:
- Know what your role entails as an invigilator or responsible teacher present. Fo instance which kind of student questions can you answer or not? Who checks the names of students present? Can unregistered students participate or not? How do you act if you see someone cheating?
- Make sure that your test has a cover sheet or instruction page (e.g. digitally provided if Remindo is used). It informs the students what is allowed and what not during test taking. It also warns with regard to what happens in case of suspected or detected fraud. The length of time for the test can be indicated.
- If the test is digitally administered: is there someone who can help if technical problems arise?
- Have some extra copies of the test available, just in case something.
After the test taking
- What to do afterwards with the test forms (if on paper)? How to make sure that they are put away in a safe place? How long should you keep the forms (check EER, ask BOZ or colleagues)?
- Who enters the data into Osiris (usually the examiner in charge)? When and how are students informed of their grades?
- Organise the review option for students (announced timely, before a resit-moment). This can be done on an individual basis but also for a larger group at the same time. NB. Make sure that students can't change answers when they review their work.
Fraud
Academic integrity is important and most students will agree and act accordingly. But nevertheless fraud occurs occasionally and as an examiner you are expected to prevent and detect fraud and report it to the Examination Board of your programme if it is detected.
Academic misconduct during test taking can be, among others: Glancing at another person's answers, communicating answers orally or via hand signals, using unauthorised devices such as a mobile phone or Smart watch, having contact with someone outside the room via, for example, an earpiece and so on.
Make sure you are aware of what constitutes fraud and what actions are expected if it occurs. Check the UT Student Charter, EER of your programme and Rules and Regulations of the Examination Board and maybe other protocols that are in use at your programme.
For test taking on Campus, to prevent fraud, standard measures are deployed, such as positioning the tables so that the chance of cheating is minimised and the deployment of (sufficient) invigilators. Students are usually warned beforehand (in the Student Charter, EER, by the teacher) of consequences for academic the violation of academic integrity. In a cover sheet or via the information they get digitally if the test is taken digitally, they might be warned extra.
The faculty BMS has set up an extensive website for lecturers to inform them about all kinds of matters relating to assessment issues. Especially regarding fraud For teachers | Academic misconduct | Examination boards BMS (utwente.nl). Most of the information might also apply in general and to your programme (but make sure to check your own programme's regulations!).