Online exam

• Group exams

  Group exams online

  If the exam is an online oral group exam it is up to the group to decide whether you all want to sit together in one room during the exam or separately on separate locations. The decision must be made based on what is practically and technically possible.

  The following special conditions apply to online group exam:

  If the group decides to sit together in one room, the group must make sure that the examiner and censor can see the whole group throughout the exam, even when they are not speaking. If the group participates via several devices in the same room there may be a high risk of technical problems with the sound, e.g. resonance, echo etc.

  We only recommend that groups sit together in one room, if the group members

  • all have the option of being shown on web cam via one PC/device
  • everyone agrees that the equipment on which the exam is conducted is technically suitable for the purpose

  Group exams with physical presence

  If one or more group members are prevented from participating in an exam with physical attendance, the study programme decides the further course. This may mean that the one who is prevented from physical attendance (but is not ill) participates online via link and the rest of the group is attending the exam physically. Your study programme may decide that all group members must participate in the exam online - even if only one member is prevented from attending physically.

  It may be necessary to make this decision at a very short notice. It is therefore important that all group members are prepared for an online exam even if it is an exam with physical attendance.

  If one or more group members are prevented from participating in the exam due to illness, the study programme decides the further course. As a generel rule the other group members must complete the exam without the sick group member. The sick group member must take the exam later as a sick exam.

  It is therefore important that all group members are prepared to complete the exam, even if one or more members of the group become ill.

• Equipment requirements for online exams

  When your oral exam is held online you are basically responsible for being able to complete the exam on your computer or smartphone. In order for the exam to be completed the examiner and censor must be able to both see and hear you.

  Therefore you must have:

  • A computer with built-in webcam/external webcam or a smartphone with a camera.
  • A good stable internet connection.
  • We also recommend (but it is not a requirement) that you have headphones or a headset so that the sound quality is as good as possible.

• Programs related to online exam

  Along with the exam schedule you will receive information about the system in which the exam will be held.

  The information comes from an employee of Studyservice or possibly from your teacher. The instructions state that you must use your "VIA ID". It is the same you use to log in to Itslearning, VIA-mail etc.

  Exam on Zoom

  You will receive a link to the exam.

  Read about how to install Zoom and how to participate in an exam in Zoom.

  After May 30th 2021 you can only participate in Zoom meetings if you have the latest version of Zoom (version 5). If you have an older version you will automatically be prompted to update Zoom before entering the meeting.

  The version of Zoom used in VIA differs from the free version in complying with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is a secure system unlike the free version, where there is no control over what data is collected.

  Exam on Teams

  You will receive a link to the exam.

  Read about how to participate in a Microsoft Teams exam.

• How to conduct the online exam

  On the day of the exam you must be ready and have the relevant programme open ahead of time before the meeting starts.

  Be aware:

  • Delays
    There may be delays in connection with oral exams. Therefore, you must wait in the meeting lobby/waiting room until your examiner lets you in the meeting.
  • Identification
    You must be able to identify yourself for the exam. You do this by showing your driver's license/passport or other photo identification, e.g. your student card. If you have a digital student card you can take a screen print and show it via screen sharing.
  • You must be alone
    There must be no one else but you in the room where you are sitting during the exam, except for group exams - see our recommendation above for group exams. You must expect to be asked to "show the room" with your camera so that the censor and examiner can check that you are the only person in the room.
  • About the room
    Make sure to sit in a quiet room with good lighting. Avoid sitting in front of a window as this can affect the lighting.
  • Powerpoints and presentations
    If you want to use a powerpoint or other presentations, you must follow the instructions from your study programme about using presentations.
    
    

  The exam takes place as an ordinary oral exam

  When you, the examiner, and the censor all participate in the meeting, the exam takes place as an ordinary oral exam. When the exam is completed you will be sent out of the meeting while the examiner and censor vote.

  In the instructions for the individual system you can read about how to get ready to receive your grade and feedback after voting. It is important that you follow these instructions immediately after the exam so that you are ready when the examiner and censor have finished voting.

  If a fellow student - or the general public - wants access to your online exam, this must be agreed with Studyservice well in advance of the exam. Access is granted if it is possible, taking into account the technical possibilities at your study programme.

  Technical problems during the exam

  If the exam is interrupted for technical reasons and you cannot quickly re-establish the connection by going out and back into the meeting, you must call the examiner from your phone.

  It is always your responsibility to call the examiner, and you must do so without unnecessary delay. This also applies even if the technical problem did not happen at your end.

  The phone number for the examiner will be given to you with the invitation to the exam.

  The examiner assesses whether the exam can be continued, terminated, interrupted, or postponed and will let you know over the phone, what needs to happen.

• If the online exam is not completed

  We prepare the online oral exams thoroughly and are sure that you will do the same. However, sometimes unforeseen things happen in relation to both online exams and to exams with physical presence.

  If an exam cannot be completed online the consequences depends on whether it is due to reasons at VIA or yourself – just as is the case with a physical exam.

  If the exam cannot be completed online for technical reasons and it is because your equipment or your internet connection fails, it will basically count as a used exam attempt in the same way as if, for example, you were late for an oral exam because your bike had a flat tire or the bus was late.

  But we are aware that there may be special circumstances with an online exam that you are not in control of. It will count positively in the assessment if you have to apply for a fourth exam attempt.

  We will do everything possible to solve the problems that may arise, e.g. using a different link etc. If you have tested the system in advance and you have a working internet connection, then you can do no more. Your examiner/censor will together with IT support and Studyservice do everything to ensure that your exam is carried out in the best possible way.

  If an exam cannot be completed on the basis of other factors for which you as a student are not responsible, but for which VIA is responsible, your exam will be re-scheduled as soon as possible and you will not be deducted a exam attempt. 

• Cheating

  The rules on exam cheating still apply even if your exams are online.

  Read more about cheating and plagiarism during exam

Contact