Recommendations in exams

When conducting examinations, exercises, tests and any other form of assessment to which students at Carlos III University of Madrid are subject, it is advisable for lecturers to inform students in advance (for example, by posting these instructions on Aula Global) of the following recommendations, which may, in any case, be supplemented by the departments, academic areas or lecturers.

The recommendations set out in these points are general rules known to all and which must be observed when assessing students’ knowledge. Whilst it is advisable to remind students of these before any examination or assessment takes place, the fact that a lecturer does not specifically mention them does not mean that they cannot be carried out.

A. MOBILE PHONES, TABLETS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Students may not bring electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets or any other such devices, into examinations or assessments, unless this has been “expressly” authorised by the lecturer. Students who bring any such device into an examination or assessment must leave it switched off and out of their reach; neither the lecturer nor the University can be held liable for any loss, theft, damage or breakage of such devices.

B. QUIET IN THE CLASSROOM

Once the test or exam has begun, students must not communicate with one another in any way, either verbally or in writing; they must not exchange papers or look at their classmates’ exam papers, etc.

C. COMMUNICATION WITH THE TEACHER

The room where the assessment takes place must be quiet and peaceful. To achieve this, everyone must play their part. If a student needs to clarify a point in the test or exam with the teacher, they must raise their hand and wait for the teacher to come over to them.

D. USE OF MATERIALS

Students must bring to the exam the materials required to sit it, such as pens, pencils, erasers, etc., and any other items that have been expressly authorised. If students bring materials that are not required, such as notes, books, exercise books, bags, etc., the lecturer may require them to place these on the classroom floor or at the entrance to the classroom. The teacher and the University shall not be held responsible for any loss, breakage, misplacement or damage to these items.

E.  OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION

The lecturer may require students to present their National Identity Card, Residence Card, passport or other valid form of identification upon entering the classroom where the examination or assessment is to take place. Similarly, the teacher may require that, whilst the examination is in progress, each student keeps their identification document (national identity card, residence card or passport) in plain view so that the identity of the person sitting the examination can be verified. Anyone who does not have the necessary identification documents may be prevented from entering the classroom to sit the examination.

F. RULES DURING EXAMS OR TESTS

Once an exam or test has begun, students may not leave the classroom. Anyone who leaves the classroom must hand in their exam or test to the teacher, unless the teacher expressly authorises the student to leave and return to the classroom. All exams and tests must be signed and handed in to the teacher before leaving the classroom. The entire handover process must be carried out in an orderly manner and in accordance with the teacher’s instructions to prevent any alterations or impersonation.

It is forbidden to take the exam or test out of the classroom; the teacher is entitled to mark the student as having failed with a ‘0’.

G. IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES OF ACADEMIC CHEATING

In cases where it is established that, during tests, exercises or examinations—the results of which are to be recorded in the examination records—students have committed an act of academic dishonesty that prevents lecturers from exercising their authority to assess knowledge, the entry ‘fail (0)’ shall be recorded in the space provided for the mark on the examination paper (Resolution of the Governing Council of 25 September 2002, on the handling of cases of cheating in which students may have been involved whilst sitting tests, exercises or examinations).

H. BEHAVIOUR DURING MARKING

During exam marking, students must behave appropriately and must always comply with the rules set out in the regulations on exam marking referred to above

I. PENALTIES

All of these actions may also lead to the initiation of administrative disciplinary proceedings.