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 matterInformation from the Directorate of Studies
Time allowance

Time allowance is stated for each exam individually in the university's course directory. 

  • The time for downloading the exam questions and uploading your answers is included in this time allowance unless stated otherwise by the lecturer/examiner. Please make sure you have enough time for uploading your answers at the end of the exam. 
  • You will have XX additional minutes for scanning and uploading your exam after the official time allowance
If you experience problems with downloading or uploading or other technological issues, please contact the person namedi n your examination moodle immediately. 
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: 

  • Material permitted when taking open-book exams: xxxx
  • Unauthorised aids in this open-book exam are: xxxx (e.g. Wikipedia, ...)
  • In this open-book exam, (direct) quotations are allowed. Citations must follow the departmental style sheet.
  • Please do not use any (direct) quotations in your open-book exam.
  • Correct citations are a basic requirement for passing the exam (apart from reaching the minimum points!).
  • Incorrect citations lead to a deduction of points.
  • Missing citations count as cheating and will lead to the entry of an X in your transcript of records (‘note on cheating’)
  • Study materials that you have compiled together with other students and used when taking the exam have to be handed in within two days upon request. Should you be unable to present these materials and you and other students have handed in identical texts, it has to be assumed that you collaborated during the exam, which will lead to the entry of an X in your transcript of records (‘note on cheating’).
‚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.

  • You will not be given any points for the mere reproduction of passages learned by heart.
  • No pass grade can be attained by the mere reproduction of passages learned by heart.
  • In case of a mere reproduction of passages learned by heart, it is possible that the student has to undergo a plausibility check to make sure whether the content has really been learned by heart or whether the exam is a case of plagiarism.
NOTE on plausibility checks: There is no right of having your exam checked for plausibility. Also, a plausibility check is no additional exam (or resit), but only serves to verify whether you have cheated on the exam or not.
Plagiarism checkAll 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’):

  • Any communication with other students during the exam (personal contact, via the phone, WhatsApp, social media etc.) 
  • Ghostwriting (the exam or parts of the exam are written by someone else).
  • Collaboration between students that is recognisable on the basis of identical texts: identical typos, same mistakes copied, same wrong application of principles etc. 
  • Use of study materials compiled together with other students (if it is not explicitly mentioned that you are allowed to use collaboratively compiled study materials) 
  • Verbatim reproduction of content from the lecture
  • Use of Wikipedia (except when stated otherwise by the examiner)

 

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.