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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO TAKE AU EXAMS
COMPLIMENTS OF AUSU
YOU NEED TO FIND AN APPROVED AU INVIGILATION CENTER
This link gives a list of AU approved invigilators http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/registry/invignet.htm#centers.
If there is more than one invigilation center in your area, AUSU encourages you
to shop around. Each institution charges varying amounts for exams, some are even free and are
available for invigilating exams at varying times (e.g. evenings and weekends). It can also be
beneficial if there is not an established exam center in your area, to put up a post on the AUSU
discussion forum asking other students in your area where they take exams. You may be able to write
exams at educational institutions that are not listed on the AU site. YOU NEED TO BOOK A TIME WITH THAT INVIGILATION CENTER.
Remember that your end date on your contract is the very last day that you can write your exam for
that course, unless you extend your course. YOU NEED TO REQUEST YOUR EXAM FROM AU.
THIS NEEDS TO BE done at least 15 business days before the write date you have confirmed with the
invigilator (additional time is required for postal delivery if you are writing your exam outside of North America), or your exam
will most likely not be shipped in time. There are many ways to contact AU to do this:
YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM:
Ok, six months of material needs to be remembered for a 2 hour exam, how do you cram it all
in there? Here’s some tips:
- Ask your tutor for a run down of what will be on the final. Most tutors are more than happy to assist
you, even if it’s by email. Also ask what extra materials (besides the obvious pen, pencil and eraser)
you are allowed to bring into the exams (e.g. calculator, notes and sometimes even your text may be
allowed).
- Contact AUSU. Our office has resources on CD-rom and in print that
can help you study smarter and cope with exam anxiety. These study aids are free to AU students. See our
publications page for more information.
- If you’re really stressed about an exam, contact AU's counselling
department. On this site you’ll find contact information, an on-line exam anxiety assessment and PDF files
to help you master exam anxiety.
- Finally, everyone has different suggestions for the night before the exam. Don’t overload yourself,
try to relax, gets lots of sleep and drink lots of water (studies show increased water intake leads
to increased memory!)
YOU NEED TO TAKE THE EXAM.
Make sure you go to the bathroom first; invigilators are required to mark down time students take
to go to the bathroom. Bring a water bottle or cup of coffee in with you, sit down, relax and
make sure you read the instructions first!!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO PAYS THE INVIGILATOR FEE?
Unfortunately, that would be you and this fee varies from invigilator to invigilator
(keep your fingers crossed that you are one of the lucky ones who finds a free invigilator).
Students must be mindful that providing invigilation services does require physical, staffing, and other resources. Remember, since
you are paying for a service external to AU, if the service you receive is not acceptable please
notify the organization where your examination was invigilated as well as the office of the registrar exam
unit. If you do not feel your concerns were addressed please notify AUSU. IF MY INVIGILATOR RECEIVES MY EXAM EARLY CAN I WRITE IT EARLIER THAN THE DATE I GAVE
AU?
Yes, according to AU’s calendar students are permitted to write exams prior to the
write date, as long as they are not written before your contract period begins. Most invigilation
centers call to tell you that your exam has arrived if you contact them directly. WHAT IF SOMETHING COMES UP (e.g. illness, accident, family emergency, car breakdown)
AND I CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE INVIGILATION CENTER TO WRITE MY EXAM?
First, contact your invigilator. As long as it is not after your course contract
date you may be able to reschedule. If not, and the exam is returned to AU (invigilators must
return AU exams if five business days pass after the write date) you will be required to pay for and
book a multiple. WHAT IF I FAIL AN EXAM?
If you know you did better than you were graded you can appeal. Students may appeal
any mark given to essays, exams, assignments, or exercises that contribute to their final grade.
Appeals of both failing and passing marks will be considered. More info on appeals is available in
the AUSU calendar, here.
Students are also allowed one supplemental exam for each written exam and it must
be written within one month of the request. Supplemental exams must be requested no earlier than
two weeks and no later than three months after writing the original exam. After writing a
supplemental exam, the student's final grade will be the higher of the grades received on the
supplemental and the original exam. HOW SOON WILL I KNOW IF I PASSED A FINAL OR NOT?
Usually about 2 weeks after writing the exam your mark will appear in the online
grade book and anywhere from 2-4 weeks after writing the exam you will be sent a letter stating
your final mark and the number of credits you earned. WHAT IF I AM TOO NERVOUS TO WRITE AN EXAM?
Be sure to order the exam anxiety workbooks mentioned above. If that is not enough to
get you through, however, you might want to try a little exposure therapy to lessen your stress.
So that you are not going in to a completely new environment on the day of the exam, find
out if you can visit the invigilation center early. Spend some time there, and relax. Allow yourself to become
comfortable there, and you will feel better on the day of the exam. In some cases the center might allow you
to sit in the actual exam room for a while when they are not busy [ask first]. If you can do this, try sitting in the room
and doing some deep breathing, and relax. Doing so will help you to have a good association with the exam room,
and will reduce the chance of exam day panic.
You may also try visualizing yourself in the exam room and feeling great. Finally, make sure to
bring everything you need, such as lozenges if you suffer from a nervous cough, or whatever helps you feel comfortable.
Don't over stress. It's not the end of the world if you fail, and you can always take advantage of the option to write
a second time. Excessive worry about how you will do is more likely to cause your mind to freeze up!
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