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Taking an exam
When taking an exam, the conditions for students need to be as favourable as possible. It is also important that these conditions are similar for all students.
While taking the exam, there are several factors that influence the reliability and validity of the exam results:
- The contents of the exam;
- The instructions prior to the exam;
- The location and conditions;
- The tools;
- The examiners and invigilators.
The contents of the exam
First of all, it is important that the assessment items and/or assignment are formulated in such a way that no questions arise while taking it. The exam may not contain any mistakes.
The instructions prior to the exam
Prior to the exam it needs to be clear to students what is expected of them while taking the exam and which rules apply to the exam they are taking. This is indicated on the exam itself (written or digital) and can also be explained by the invigilators.
The location and conditions
The exam location can influence students’ performance. For example, attention needs to be paid to the temperature, excessive noise and how the tables are set up. In the case of a digital exam, an E-support employee will provide technical support during the examination.
Exam-specific provisions
The examiner of a written exam (paper or digital) can allow the use of certain aids during the exam. These are referred to as exam-specific provisions. The invigilator checks during the exam whether only the permitted aids are being used.
We distinguish the following four provisions: