University of Leicester Students' Union

Examination Problems

Some students each year have problems with exams for one reason or another .... it is not the end of the world and there are still plenty of options open to you .... but you need to act fast !'

Please note that the advice on this page is based on the Undergraduate Regulations. Any postgraduate students who require advice on this topic please contact us(at educationunit@le.ac.uk) and we will be able to help you out.

Mitigating Cirumstances

If you are facing any problems during the Examination Period e.g. illness, family issues that you believe are having an affect on your examination preparation or your performance in the exam itself then

IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU INFORM YOUR DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Ideally you should go and see your personal tutor explain the situation and submit a written account of the circumstances, the affect they have had on you alongside any supplementary independent evidence e.g. a doctors certificate. It is essential that you include in your account how the circumstances have affected you studies e.g. struggling to concentrate, unable to sleep etc… since the same problem may affect two people in completely different ways. The Education Unit can help you to prepare the account and gather any supplementary evidence that is needed. If you are not comfortable speaking to your personal tutor or department we can either approach the department on your behalf or a member of the Unit can go along to the meeting with you.

If you need any more advice please do not hesitate to contact us at educationunit@le.ac.uk or pop into the Student Support Centre on the ground floor of the Students' Union.

Late for an Exam?

If you find yourself late for an exam but can get to the hall within 30 minutes from the start of the exam then make sure that you get there as soon as possible. Then at least you can have an attempt at the exam.

Remember that misreading the examinations timetable or oversleeping are not acceptable excuses for having missed exams .

Missed an Exam?

You have missed your exam...... so what do you do about it?

Contact your Department as soon as possible. Unless you have a valid reason for missing the exam (make sure you have independent evidence and this is submitted to your personal tutor or a member of staff in the department. i.e. a medical note) you will be given a mark of zero for the exam and will have to resit it.
Concentrate on the remaining exams. It is important that you put the missed exam behind you and not let it affect your performance on other examinations.
As soon as you have finished your last paper, meet with your Personal Tutor or the Head of Department to discuss the situation.

Your absence, the reasons for it and all other results will be considered by your department's examination board.

They may chose to:

Terminate your course if the exam missed is a resit.
Offer you a re-sit of the examination (if you pass you will get only 40%)
Offer you a sit (You get to sit the exam as though it is your first attempt)
Offer you a year without residence (a year as a nonstudent - i.e. you will have to pay tax) on condition that you sit or re-sit the exam(s) in question

If you have a valid reason for your absence then you may be able to ask your Department's Examinations Board through your personal tutor to consider granting you an option that suits you the most.

Failed an Exam

For whatever reason you have failed your exams, it is important that you speak to your department ASAP! Meet with your Personal Tutor or the Head of Department to discuss the situation and submit a written account (including evidence) of any mitigating circumstances. Your personal tutor will ensure that your case is put forward to the Examination Board who in normal circumstances (where you have not been given a letter of neglect of studies letter or best efforts letter) will allow a chance to resit any exam failed on one further occasion. It is possible if you have mitigating circumstances that the exam board will consider giving you a sit that allows you to gain full credit for your performance in the exam.

If you fail the resit then the reasons for it and all other results will be considered by your department's examination board. They may chose to:

Terminate your course if the exam failed is a resit.
Offer you another re-sit of the examination (if you pass you will get only 40%)
Offer you a sit
Offer you an year without residence on condition that you sit or re-sit the exam(s) in question

Meet with your Personal Tutor or the Head of Department to discuss the situation. If you had experienced difficulties during your examinations especially the ones you failed then you must inform your personal tutor as soon as possible i.e. BEFORE the results are published. Where appropriate obtain and submit independent evidence such as a medical certificate for illness. Your tutor will ensure that the information is presented to the Examination Board for consideration.

NOTE If you still have examinations to sit then once you have discussed the situation with your Personal Tutor it is important that you concentrate fully on the remaining examinations.

If you need more information or want to talk to someone impartial, please come to the Education Unit . The Unit is based in the Percy Gee building and is situated on the ground floor in the new Student Support Centre (old Travel Shop) . It is open on weekdays from 10 am - 4 pm . Appointments are not necessary but can be made through the Student Support Centre . Alternatively you can call 0116 223 1228/1202 or email educationunit@le.ac.uk.