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Exams and assessments - get help and advice

Where to get guidance, advice and support for remote exams during the exam period, including the Exam Helpline.

This information applies only to remote, online exams. If you have difficulties during an in-person exam, you will follow the guidance provided in the exam room. Please read the guidance on taking in-person exams.

Before the exam closes: IT or technical issues

If you have difficulty connecting to a University system including Inspera, Moodle, Re:View or MS Teams during your exam, please first:

If you find your issue with Inspera is still not resolved and you have followed our guide to submitting your attempt in Inspera, you should call the Exam Helpline on +44 (0)1225 387500. The line will be open from 8am to 6pm British Summer Time (BST), Monday to Friday, throughout the exam period.

If you need other IT help and you are not close to the deadline for your exam, you should submit an IT support enquiry online.

Before the exam closes: other difficulties

Please ensure you have consulted the Student Guide to Exams and alternative arrangements for exams (Disability Access Plans) as it may answer any questions you have.

If you have a non-urgent query that doesn't relate to an IT or technical issue, please email examinations@bath.ac.uk.

If you need urgent advice, do not contact your department. Instead call the Exam Helpline on +44 (0)1225 387500. The line will be open from 8am to 6pm British Summer Time (BST), Monday to Friday, throughout the exam period.

After the exam closes

It is your responsibility to ensure you take all reasonable steps to make sure your exam environment is suitable, and to submit your attempt before the deadline.

The total time allocated for attempting your exam will include sufficient time to create and upload your attempt to Inspera. Where this is separate extra time, it will be noted as ‘submission time’ on your exam instruction sheet. The extra time available is calculated using a sliding scale based on the complexity of the submission, for example if you are expected to submit PDFs, combine multiple files, or take pictures of your attempt.

If you are unable to submit your exam in the time allocated on your exam paper, you will receive a mark of 0NS (0, “Non-submission”), unless a late submission request for IT/technical issues is accepted.

If you were affected by non-technical issues, you may be able to submit an Individual Mitigating Circumstances (IMC) claim.

Late submission request

This semester, where an unexpected and exceptional technical difficulty may have prevented you submitting your exam attempt on time, the University has put in place a process that allows you to request that your exam attempt be accepted and marked without a late penalty after the deadline.

Important information

  • This process applies to remote (online) exams sat using Inspera.
  • Using this process does not guarantee that your exam attempt will be accepted and marked. A panel will decide if your circumstances warrant acceptance of a late submission.
  • This process applies only to technical issues that affected the location where you attempted your exam. This might include internet or power issues, or an issue with the software you were using. Any widescale disruption caused by the University’s systems will be managed by the University and you will be contacted with advice.
  • You must provide evidence of your technical problem. Without evidence, your late submission will automatically be rejected, and the work will not be marked.
  • This process is not an opportunity to resubmit or delay submitting your exam. If you have already submitted your attempt on Inspera, you cannot do so again. The first submission will be accepted and marked.

How to make a late submission request

You should make your late submission request as soon as you can after your deadline using the online form Late Exam Submission Request. (The form is also accessible through the Self Service Portal on TopDesk via Academic Registry.) You will need to provide the following:

  • Your candidate number
  • Unit code and title
  • Your exam attempt file(s)
  • A brief description of the technical difficulty that prevented your submission
  • Evidence of your technical difficulty. For example, a screenshot, a photo, a service report, or details of contacting the exams helpline for assistance.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, you can contact the Exam Helpline for advice on +44 (0)1225 387500. The line will be open from 8am to 6pm British Summer Time (BST), Monday to Friday, throughout the exam period.

Staff, such as a Personal Tutor, Director of Studies or Student Experience Officer cannot accept late submission requests, please do not contact them.

Considering your request

The decision whether to accept your late submission and mark your work will be made by a panel. They will approve your request if they decide:

  1. that you have provided sufficient evidence of valid, technical issues that could not have reasonably been expected or prevented, and
  2. it is clear you will not gain an unfair advantage over other students if the late submission is accepted.

You will normally find out the outcome of your request by the end of the exam period. This process will remain open for submissions of requests until Sunday 5th June 2022.

Is the late submission process appropriate for my circumstances?

The late submission process is just one way we support students who experience disruption to their exam. If you have experienced technical difficulties that have prevented submission of your exam, this process may be appropriate. If your performance in your assessment was impacted by technical difficulties, it may be appropriate to also submit an IMC claim. You are still able to submit an IMC claim if you have used the late submission process.

If your request is unsuccessful

You will not be able to appeal a late submission decision. However, you may be able to appeal against an academic decision after it has been taken by your Board of Studies (normally at the end of the year).

If you experienced technical difficulties that prevented you submitting your exam on time, but the panel are unable to accept your late submission request as it would present a potential unfair advantage, you can submit an IMC claim.

Other sources of support

During the exam period, a wide range of support and guidance across the University will continue to be available to you through:

Further information