Written sit-down examinations
On this page, you will find general information and any additional information from your department or faculty regarding what applies for written sit-down exams.
Always read the information provided by your education
For questions about a specific written exam, contact your teacher, course coordinator or another person in your department.
- You can find general information about written sit-down exams at the University of Gothenburg on this page.
- In the Canvas course room, you will find more information about what applies for a written exam within your course, including dates, allowed aids, and other instructions.
What is a written sit-down exam?
A written sit-down exam is taken in an examination hall simultaneously with other students. There are two forms of sit-down exams: paper exams, written with paper and pen, and digital exams, written and assessed in a web-based system called DISA at the University of Gothenburg. Therefore, digital exams at the University is often referred to as DISA exams.
Both paper and digital exams should always be organised in a way that maintains anonymity when evaluating answers.
Rules for examinations
As a student, it is your responsibility to be aware of and follow the rules for examinations. Here, we have summarized what applies to a written sit-down exam, but we also recommend that you download and read the Rules and regulations for first- and second-cycle examinations at the University of Gothenburg, available on Laws and regulations.
Different examination halls
Sit-down exams are often held in the University's common examination halls, but they can also take place in examination halls at departments. The rules for written sit-down exams at the University of Gothenburg apply even when the department coordinating the course holds a sit-down examination at another higher education institution, such as Chalmers.
Under certain conditions, you can also take examinations at another place. A written decision from the head of department or equivalent is required, and you must apply to the department coordinating the course no later than four weeks before the exam date. The university currently does not have the possibility to accommodate students from other universities to take exams.
Register for your exam
You must register for your exam in advance. If you miss registering, you risk being denied access to the examination hall. If you are unable to attend an exam, it is also important to cancel as early as possible. The course's responsible department provides instructions on how registration and cancellation are done.
Good to know before you arrive at the exam hall
You should be present in the examination hall at least 15 minutes before the exam starts. For digital sit-down examinations, you should be present at least 30 minutes before the scheduled writing time. The examination hall will close when the writing time begins, and if you arrive after this time, you will be denied the opportunity to write your exam.
You must be able to verify your identity by presenting identification upon arrival and when submitting your answers to the exam. Examples of valid identification include a passport, driver's license, Swedish national ID card, or an ID card issued by a government authority. GU cards and residence permit cards/LMA cards from the Swedish Migration Agency are not valid forms of identification.
There are certain items you are not allowed to bring into the examination hall:
- You are not allowed to bring your own scrap paper; it is available in the examination hall.
- You are not allowed to bring anything containing nuts or peanuts into the exam hall.
- The examination hall is a perfume-free zone.
During the exam
Seats are reserved for registered students. You should follow the instructions from the examination supervisor regarding seating and other rules to minimise the risk of unauthorised collaboration.
You will also need to leave your personal belongings (such as bags, outerwear, and mobile phones) in designated areas in the examination hall. Only aids that have been specified in advance as allowed aids (by the course coordinator or examiner) may be brought to your seat.
During the period of the examination, there is a strict no-talking policy among students, both in the examination hall and during toilet visits. Calm and silence should be observed in the examination hall to create the best possible conditions for a good result on the sit-down exam. Disruptive behavior may result in you being be sent out of the examination hall, it may also lead to disciplinary matters.
Concluding the sit-down examination
You should finish your writing within the specified time and will need to verify your identity when submitting your answers to the examination supervisor. Even "blank" answers on the exam should be submitted. The test questions and other information included in the sit-down examination may not be taken away.
For digital sit-down examinations, you are to alert the examination supervisor that you have finished the examination from your seat. The examination supervisor performs identity checks before the examination can be submitted.
If you choose to discontinue the examination, you can normally only leave the examination hall after it has been closed for entry. For the University's common examination hall, students can leave the examination hall after 45 minutes.