General framework for online exams at the Department for English and American Studies (based on guidelines issued by Büro Studienpräses, August 2020)
Exams are the major instrument for measuring student’s performance during their studies. They provide information on whether the competences and objectives defined in the curriculum have been achieved or not. Different types of courses require different kinds of performances. Which performances and how they have to be delivered can be found in the university’s course directory.
The transition from exams with physical presence exclusively to online exams during the summer semester 2020 has changed nothing with regard to individual performance requirements. However, major changes have taken place for the general framework of how examinations have to be administered. These changes are based on the regulation ‘Arrangements for courses and examinations’ from 13 May 2020 mtbl.univie.ac.at/storage/media/mtbl02/2019_2020/2019_2020_97.pdf.
Written online exams are administered via the learning platform Moodle exclusively.
Please note the following advice for online examinations:
- If available, take a mock exam.
- Pay attention to specific information and guidelines given by the lecturer.
- Read the information and obey the rules on permitted materials used during the exam.
- Keep an eye on time management during the exam.
- Allow for some time to hand in the exam.
- If you have technical difficulties with upload, contact the person named in the exam instructions.
They will normally accept submissions by e-mail in such cases.
The following study law-related regulations and guidelines apply at the Department for English and American Studies:
| Subject matter | Information from the Directorate of Studies |
|---|---|
| Time allowance | Time allowance is stated for each exam individually in the university's course directory.
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| Open-book exams - permitted materials | ‘Open book’ means that you can use those materials that have been named by the lecturer to answer the exam questions. However, it does not mean that you are allowed to copy sentences or paragraphs word by word. Sentences taken from slides or other texts cannot be copied without citing the source. When answering questions, you should generally try to express your own thoughts and bring forward your own arguments. Look out for formulations like these in the lecturers' announcements:
|
| ‚Normal online exams‘ (not open-book) – dealing with text parts learned by heart | Please note, when answering questions, you should generally try to express your own thoughts and bring forward your own arguments.
|
| Plagiarism check | All submitted texts will be checked for plagiarism on Turnitin. |
| Prohibited materials in any kind of exam | The following practices are considered cheating and will lead to the entry of an X in your transcript of records (‘note on cheating’):
|
Information on the process of receiving an X in your transcript of records (‘note on cheating’):
- If during the grading of the exam, the lecturer establishes that the student has been cheating, the lecturer informs the student and the directorate of studies via e-mail about the entry of an X into the transcript of records (‘note on cheating’) including a short justification plus documentation.
- If suspicions arise that the student cheated on the exam:
- Possibility a): The student has to undergo a plausibility check within the stipulated assessment period of four weeks (preferably via an online conference tool). Students who refuse to undergo such a check, will get an X in their transcript of records.
After the plausibility check, the lecturer decides whether an X will be entered or whether the exam is graded according to the usual conventions. If the lecturer decides to enter an X, the directorate of studies has to be notified and the documentation has to be sent. - Possibility b): The student is contacted via e-mail and is asked to provide a written statement. After receiving the statement, the lecturer decides whether an X will be entered. If this is the case, the directorate of studies has to be notified and the documentation has to be sent.
- Possibility a): The student has to undergo a plausibility check within the stipulated assessment period of four weeks (preferably via an online conference tool). Students who refuse to undergo such a check, will get an X in their transcript of records.