What can I take into the exam?

You can find specific information regarding authorised materials in the examination programme guide (PDF).

You can only take items that have been specially authorised into the exam with you.

Calculators

You will be informed in advance if you are allowed to use either calculators or other source materials in your examinations:

  • Examination candidates using electronic calculators must not have an unfair advantage over candidates not using them.
  • The unauthorised use of material stored in a pre-programmable memory will constitute academic misconduct. You are instructed to use a calculator without this facility.
  • You must state clearly on your script the name and model of electronic calculator you have used.
  • You are entirely responsible for ensuring that your calculator is in working order for the examinations. Where the calculator fails during the examination, you are responsible for ensuring in advance that you have alternative means of performing calculations. Birkbeck will not be able to provide you with one.

Dictionaries

You cannot bring a dictionary to help you with your English in any examination. Any dictionaries found during an examination will be confiscated and the matter will be reported to the Examinations & Assessment Office.

Food and drink

You will be permitted to take a bottle of still liquid into your examinations. No other consumable items are permitted and they may be confiscated for the duration of the exam. If you have any special dietary issues that require you to take food and/or drink into an examination, please contact the Examinations & Assessment Office well in advance since we may need to set up a special examination provision for you.

Scrap paper

You are not permitted to bring in any paper to use for rough notes and there will be no paper handed out during the exam for this use. You must complete all work within the answer booklets provided. Any work that you do not wish to be marked, cross it through. Supplementary answer booklets will only be available once you can demonstrate you have completed the initial booklet to the invigilator. Do not use your exam admission notice as scrap paper since any notes found on this during the exam will be treated as an exam irregularity.