14. Examination tests

14.1 The questions and other tests at all examinations in the College will be so selected as duly to represent any different schools of thought or modes of dealing with the subject which may exist among Teachers of the University.

14.2 At any examination in which there is a practical examination in any experimental science subject, a candidate must satisfy the examiners in both the practical and written parts of the examination.

14.3

Candidates at any examination by written papers taken under supervision and within a defined time limit or at any practical, oral or similar examination are permitted to use only such books, notes, instruments or other materials or aids as are specifically permitted by the appropriate authority for the examination in question.
Where candidates are permitted to use their own electronic calculators at examinations, the machine to be used must be of the hand-held type, quiet in operation and compact, and must have its own power supply. Candidates are entirely responsible for ensuring that their machines are in working order for their examinations and for providing in advance for alternative means of calculating in the event of the calculator failing during the examination. When candidates use electronic calculators at examinations they must state clearly on their examination scripts the name and type of machine use. The unauthorised use of material stored in a pre-programmable memory will constitute cheating.

14.4 Except as provided in paragraph 14.3 above, no books, notes, instruments or other materials or aids whatsoever may be introduced into an examination room or be handled or consulted during an examination. Any such materials or aids in the possession of the candidate on entry to the examination room shall be deposited immediately with the Invigilator.

14.5 Any unauthorised materials or aids introduced by a candidate into an examination room must upon request be surrendered to the Invigilator. Any aids so surrendered may be handed over by the Invigilator to the College which may make copies thereof, and the original aids (together with all such copies) may be retained by the College at its absolute discretion.

14.6 Candidates shall not, unless expressly so authorised, pass any information from one to another during an examination nor shall any candidate act in collusion with another candidate or other person or copy from another candidate or engage in any similar activity.

14.7 At any examination by written papers taken under supervision or where the regulations for any qualification provide for part of an examination to consist of ‘take-away’ papers, essays or other work written in a candidate’s own time, coursework assessment or any similar form of test the work submitted by the candidate must be his/her own and any quotation from the published or unpublished works of other persons must be duly acknowledged.

14.8 Failure to observe any of the provisions of paragraphs 14.3 (a) and (b), 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 or 14.7 above will constitute an examination offence. All examination offences will be treated as cheating or irregularities of a similar character under the University of London Regulations for Proceedings in respect of Examination Irregularities. Under these Regulations candidates found to have committed an offence may be excluded from all further examinations of the University and, or, of the College.

14.9 All answers to examination questions must be written in English unless instructions are given to the contrary.

14.10 All examination scripts are the property of the College and will not be returned to candidates.

14.11 Save where the regulations for any particular award otherwise provide, essays submitted in lieu of written papers, and dissertations reports, practical and laboratory note books and field reports are returnable to candidates. Material will be returned in accordance with the instructions issued by the College. This applies only to College-based examinations.

14.12 Essays, reports and dissertations

The above terms are frequently used in regulations for awards of the University and, except where the regulations for any particular award otherwise provide, have the following meanings:

An essay: a brief description and discussion (normally not exceeding 7,500 words), probably based on secondary sources, of a particular topic within a field of study.
A report: an account (normally not exceeding 10,000 words) of the study of a specified topic based on experiments, observations or review of literature. A relevant bibliography would normally be expected.
A dissertation: an ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge in any field or part of a field of study. It may vary in length but should not normally exceed 30,000 words unless otherwise stated in the regulations for a specific degree. There should be evidence that the field has been surveyed thoroughly. A full bibliography and references would normally be required.