Written Online Exams
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![[Translate to English:] Schriftliche Prüfung](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/c/b/csm_Schriftliche_Pr%C3%BCfung_0ee28c3f75.jpg)
On this page, we’ve put together some general (technical) tips and information on written online exams. Your course instructors or examiners will provide you with specific information and instructions for individual exams (design, authorized aids, use of automated online exam supervision) in plenty of time before the exam date.
![[Translate to English:] Glühbirne](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/2/3/csm_Gl%C3%BChbirne_bdb956f4f0.png)
Exam design
Click here to learn moreWritten online exams can take place either in the regular course environment or in an online exam environment on MyLEARN. The exam environment is easy to find on the respective semester’s “My courses” page:
An examination can be made up of a variety of different types of questions and assignments: Single choice questions, multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank sentences, essay questions, or open assignments like essays, files, or exercise sheets to upload. Exams may also include multimedia elements.
PLEASE NOTE:
Instructors/examiners have the option of restricting the editing of questions you have already answered and limiting access to the list of questions. In this case, you will not be able to return to questions you have already worked on or skip ahead to other questions, nor are you allowed to return using the back button on your browser. If you should encounter this issue, use the forward button on your browser to return to the next open question and continue with the exam.
Exams can also be made up of a combination of different problems, questions, and learning activities. In this case, your instructor/examiner may create a folder for the exam with all the materials you will need for the test. During the duration of the exam, you will see an overview of everything you need to complete, and check marks or a progress bar will help you keep track of your progress as you complete the individual components of the exam:
Once you have finished all the components in the exam folder (indicated by the gray check marks and the progress bar), your work will be saved automatically; it is not possible to submit the folder itself.
Take a test run to make sure you’re familiar with the exam environment and the various types of questions that may be used on your exam!
Exam duration
Für Details bitte aufklappenYou can only start work on an exam at the specified starting time (starting date and time).
If you don’t have time to take the exam during the specified time slot (this applies to synchronously scheduled exams like those held during examination week), you will have to wait until the next scheduled examination date to take that exam.
If you start the exam late, for whatever reason, you will have that much less time to complete the exam. The ending time and submission deadline remain the same for all students, regardless of when they begin taking the exam. It is up to you to make sure you have the information you need and log in on time.
The ending time of an exam can either be an indicated date and/or time or through expiration of a timer. Timers can also be set for individual components of an exam, and these timers may not stop running if you switch to a different component or start working on a different question.
TIP:
Make sure you complete all the required work within the specified time and submit, upload, and save your work as instructed. Pay attention so you don’t overlook any of the necessary steps. Otherwise activities may be marked as “not completed.”
Updates and test runs on MyLEARN
Für Details bitte aufklappen![[Translate to English:] Daumen hoch](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/7/7/csm_Thumb_up_1098723206.jpg)
For written online exams, the examination statement opens automatically in the entire window at the beginning of the preparation time or at the preset time when you click on any button. If the exam is held with online exam supervision, your confirmation will be obtained at the end of the new online supervision pre-check.
Only if you accept the examination statement, you can start the exam.The online supervision pre-check is obligatory for exams with online exam supervision and guides you through all necessary settings (access to camera and microphone, sharing of screen and examination statement). At the same time the functionality of your equipment is checked and in case of errors possible sources are automatically listed. Only if your equipment works perfectly, you will get to the examination statement and thus to the exam.
Take advantage of the possibility of a test run to try out the pre-check!Consent of the automated online supervision is no longer a separate task, but part of the pre-check. You can find a note in the course of the pre-check as well as the data protection statement at "Information" in the left side menu.
The environment for test runs is available in both German and English. For the actual exams, the course instructors decide on the language setting.
There are currently no dates available for test runs.
TIP:
The browser multimedia test allows you to test your setup (camera, microphone, screen recording) independently of any examination or test run. The browser multimedia test is a simulation of the online supervision pre-check and in case of errors possible sources of error are automatically listed. Please note that you will have to go through the actual pre-check during the preparation time for each examination with online supervision. (Video-Tutorial)
During written online exams with online supervision, you can see that your camera and microphone are recording (preview image shows microphone-camera-screen centered at the top of the screen).
Technical requirements
Für Details bitte aufklappen| Written online exams WITH automated online exam supervision-------------------------------------------------- | Written online exams WITHOUT automated online exam supervision-------------------------------------------------- |
| Desktop computer or laptop, NO tablets, NO 2-in-1 devices (e.g. Microsoft Surface Go), NO smartphones | Desktop computer or laptop, NO tablets, NO smartphones, the use of 2-in-1 devices (e.g. Microsoft Surface Go) is NOT recommended |
| One monitor only, any additional monitors must be removed before the exam | One monitor only, any additional monitors must be removed before the exam |
| The most current version of Google Chrome Instructions for download and installation available here Click here for a tutorial on the correct settings Here you can find helpful tips on what to do if you have technical problems | The most current version of Google Chrome or Firefox |
| A built-in camera or webcam | |
| Built-in or external microphone (headsets may NOT be worn on your head or around your neck) | |
| Built-in or external speakers (headsets may NOT be worn on your head or around your neck), if the exam includes audio files | Built-in or external speakers (headsets may NOT be worn on your head or around your neck), if the exam includes audio files |
| A stable internet connection with sufficient capacity | A stable internet connection with sufficient capacity |
| Microsoft Teams (logged in using your WU student account), if this is the communication channel for the exam | Microsoft Teams (logged in using your WU student account), if this is the communication channel for the exam |
Your course instructors will inform you about additional, detailed requirements resulting from the procedure, the assignment, etc. of an exam. You can find helpful apps here:
Grading requirements
Für Details bitte aufklappenPLEASE NOTE:
The exam will be graded if the following requirements are met:
You have uploaded a photo that fulfills the necessary criteria to confirm your identity (if required)
The recordings can be fully evaluated for the entire duration of the exam as part of automated online supervision (if required)
You have accepted the examination statement
If you have received the examination but not fulfilled the identity requirement and/or the automated online supervision did not function properly during the examination, the examination will be declared VOID and will count as an examination attempt.
Once you have confirmed the examination statement (this is possible 15 or 30 minutes before the start of the exam), the examination attempt is counted, even if you don’t go on to take the exam after confirming the statement. The examination attempt will also be counted if you terminate the exam prematurely or fail to submit the exam.
Confirming your identity (if required)
Für Details bitte aufklappen2–3 days before the exam, as an assignment directly in MyLEARN
Needs to be re-uploaded and sent before each individual exam, if required
The picture needs to be recognizable, and your name and student ID number need to be legible on your student ID card
You can use the same picture for each exam
![[Translate to English:] Foto](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/3/7/csm_Beispielfoto_fe6ef481fe.png)
Upload identity verification to MyLEARN, if provided.
In the online exam environment you will find the task "Identity verification" in the left side menu.
Upload only 1 photo that displays the following:
your student identity card or an official valid photo identification (passport, Austrian driver's license, identity card) AND your facePlease check the quality of the image before uploading the photo. The example photo below shows it. Your ID card must be clearly legible!
IMPORTANT: The delivery should be in JPG or PNG format. Images in HEIC format must be converted to JPG or PNG.
Please make sure to click on "send" after selecting the file! If you have used an insufficient or accidentally wrong photo, please contact the responsible examiner.
Examination statement
Für Details bitte aufklappenFor each written online exam, the examination statement opens automatically in the entire window at the beginning of the preparation time or at the preset time when you click on any button. If the exam is held with online supervision, your confirmation will be obtained at the end of the new online supervision pre-check.
Only if you accept the examination statement, you can start the exam.
Confirming the examination statement is the equivalent of accepting the exam papers in a classroom setting. Once you have done so, the examination attempt will be counted and graded.
The examination statement includes reiterations of important information and instructions, such as:
General and technical requirements for taking the written online examination
Starting the exam (examination attempt) and terminating/interrupting the exam (in the event of technical problems)
What do do in case of technical problems and the resulting consequences
Consequences of cheating
Confirmation of identity and automated online exam supervision
Automated online exam supervision (if required)
Für Details bitte aufklappen![[Translate to English:] Studierender vor PC](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/7/f/csm_Online-Aufsicht_ce753dea36.jpg)
To detect any attempts at cheating, automated online exam supervision may be put in place during online exams. Your instructor | examiner will notify you if this is the case for each individual exam.
A list of all exams scheduled to be held during the examination week that will be subject to automated online supervision will be posted on the website.
During the supervision, audio and video recordings will be made of you and all activity on your screen during the exam. These recordings will be deleted 6 weeks after the exam. At the start of the exam, you will need to give your browser permission to access your camera and microphone and record your full screen. Click here to read the data protection statement on automated online supervision.
PLEASE NOTE:
Make sure you are up to date on the technical equipment required for online supervision; detailed information about the software you will need to download and the settings you will need to adjust on Google Chrome is also available.
During the preparation time (30 minutes before the exam starts) the new online supervision pre-check (Video-Tutorial) starts.
The pre-check is a setup wizard that directly guides you in the exam environment through all necessary setup steps for online exam supervision and at the same time checks the functionality of your equipment:
Info on the online supervision
Allow access to your microphone and checks its functionality
Allow access to your camera and checks its functionality
Allow to share the entire screen
Accept the examination statement
In case of errors, possible sources are automatically listed for you to check. You can correct errors directly, e.g. by switching on the camera and then clicking on "Check again". If everything fits now, you can click on "Next" in the pre-check.
This means that you can only participate in the exam if you have passed the pre-check completely. So be online in time at the beginning of the preparation time to avoid loosing any exam time!
TIP:
The browser multimedia test allows you to test your setup (camera, microphone, screen recording) independently of any examination or test run. The browser multimedia test is a simulation of the online supervision pre-check and in case of errors possible sources of error are automatically listed. Please note that you will have to go through the actual pre-check during the preparation time for each examination with online supervision. (Video-Tutorial)
During written online exams with online supervision, you can see that your camera and microphone are recording (preview image shows microphone-camera-screen centered at the top of the screen).
Course instructors/examiners will be able to see the results of the online supervision during and after the exam, and will decide on any measures that may need to be taken.
Online supervision will not be deactivated until the browser window with the exam environment is closed entirely.
TIP:
If you accidentally close your browser window, you can reopen MyLEARN and the exam environment, restart the online supervision, and continue the exam where you left off. The allotted time for the exam will not be extended, however.
For further tips, see “What do do in case of (technical) problems.”
Communicating with course instructors | examiners
Für Details bitte aufklappen![[Translate to English:] Lehrveranstaltungsleiterin spricht zu Studierenden im Hörsaal](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/2/f/csm_Kommunikation_eb59208e19.jpg)
Your course instructor | examiners will notify you of your communication options before and during the exam, e.g.:
Chat | forum on MyLEARN
Email
The specified communication channel may be used to provide important information, announce changes, or clear up any organizational questions before the exam. During the exam – if permitted – students can use the channel to ask questions about the exam or report technical problems.
TIP:
Make sure to inform yourself in plenty of time and familiarize yourself with the appropriate communication tool, so you are well prepared in the stressful situation of the exam.
What to do in case of (technical) problems
Für Details bitte aufklappenFor each individual exam, your course instructors | examiners will notify you of the specific procedures for dealing with any technical problems that may occur during the exam.
TIP:
It is in your own best interest to attempt to continue with the exam. You’ve studied hard, are well prepared, and you don’t want to give up too easily on your opportunity to complete the exam.
However, if you experience technical difficulties that make it impossible for you to continue your work on the exam, or if there are problems with the online supervision (e.g. picture/sound/screen is not recorded properly), you need to report this to your course instructors | the persons responsible for the exam immediately and provide convincing proof (e.g. screenshot). If you’re able to solve your technical problems quickly, you also need to report that you are continuing with the exam.
![[Translate to English:] Studierender zeigt im PC-Raum auf](/fileadmin/wu/_processed_/1/2/csm_Technische_Probleme_fc97317e7b.jpg)
Do not expect answers or solutions after reporting technical problems, reports are intended only to document the issue with regard to further consequences:
Credible report of technical problems: Exam will not be graded or counted as an examination attempt
Technical difficulties not reported or report not credible: Exam will be graded and attempt counted (= termination of exam)
PLEASE NOTE:
If you want your exam graded even though you had to terminate prematurely, please notify the course instructors | persons responsible for the exam within 24 hours. The exam will then be graded based on the work that was submitted.
To avoid or handle technical problems:
Key Questions for individuel technical problems
(currently available in German only)
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