Hall-based examinations
On this page, you will find general information and any additional information from your department or faculty regarding what applies for hall-based exams.
Always read the information provided by your course or programme
For questions about a specific exam, contact your teacher, course coordinator or another person at your department.
- You can find general information about hall-based exams at the University of Gothenburg on this page.
- In the Canvas course room, you will find more information about what applies for a hall-based exam within your course, including dates, allowed aids, and other instructions.
What is a hall-based exam?
A hall-based exam is taken in an examination hall simultaneously with other students. There are two forms of hall-based exams: exams on paper, written with paper and pen, and e-exams, written and assessed in a web-based system called DISA at the University of Gothenburg. Therefore, e-exams at the University are often referred to as DISA exams.
Both exams on paper and e-exams should always be organised in a way that maintains anonymity when evaluating answers.
Examination rules
As a student, it is your responsibility to be aware of and follow the examination rules. Here, we have summarized what applies to a hall-based exam, but we also recommend that you download and read the examination rules in the policy document Rules for Studies at First- and Second-Cycle Level, available on Laws and regulations.
Different examination halls
Hall-based exams are often held in the University's common examination halls, but they can also take place in examination halls at departments. The rules for hall-based exams at the University of Gothenburg apply even when the department coordinating the course holds a hall-based examination at another higher education institution, such as Chalmers.
Under certain conditions, you can also take examinations at another place. A written decision from the head of department or equivalent is required, and you must apply to the department coordinating the course no later than four weeks before the exam date. The University currently does not have the possibility to accommodate students from other universities to take exams.
Register for your exam
You must register for your exam in advance. If you are unable to attend an exam, it is also important to cancel as early as possible. The course's responsible department provides instructions on how registration and cancellation are done.
Good to know before you arrive at the exam hall
You should be present in the examination hall at least 30 minutes before the exam starts. The examination hall will close when the writing time begins, and if you arrive after this time, you will be denied the opportunity to write your exam.
You must be able to verify your identity by presenting identification upon arrival and when submitting your answers to the exam. For information about which identification documents you can use to verify your identity, see the page Approved ID documents.
There are certain items you are not allowed to bring into the examination hall:
- You are not allowed to bring your own scrap paper; it is available in the examination hall.
- You are not allowed to bring anything containing nuts or peanuts into the exam hall.
- The examination hall is a perfume-free zone.
During the exam
You should follow the instructions from the examination supervisor regarding seating and other rules to minimise the risk of unauthorised collaboration.
You will also need to leave your personal belongings (such as bags, outerwear, watches, mobile phones and other digital devices) in designated areas in the examination hall. Only aids that have been specified in advance as allowed aids (by the course coordinator or examiner) may be brought to your seat.
During the period of the examination, there is a strict no-talking policy among students, both in the examination hall and during toilet visits. Calm and silence must be observed in the examination hall to create the best possible environment for students to achieve good results. Activities that might disturb others, such as repetitive or large movements or loud expressions, are not allowed during the course of an examination. Disruptive behavior may result in you being be sent out of the examination hall, it may also lead to disciplinary matters.
Concluding the exam
You should finish your exam within the specified time and will need to verify your identity when submitting your answers to the examination supervisor. Even "blank" answers on the exam should be submitted. The test questions and other information included in the hall-based examination may not be taken away.
If you choose to discontinue the examination, you can normally only leave the examination hall after it has been closed for entry.