Examination instructions

You are encouraged not to bring your bags into the examination room. If there is a significant event and the room is evacuated, you will not be permitted to take your bag.

Personal items

You may take the following items to your desk:

• Cell phone
• Watch (analogue or smart watch)
• Wallet
• Keys

These must be contained in a named, clear plastic Ziploc bag. This is to be placed under your chair and must remain there for the duration of the exam session.

Exam equipment

Only the items below may be on your desk in the examination room:

• Canterbury card or suitable alternative (NZ driver licence or passport)
• Pens, pencils, rubbers and, where authorised, drawing instruments. These should either be held in your hand or in a small, clear Ziplock plastic bag
• A bottle of water.
• Additional course materials as authorised by the examiner (e.g. course books, notes, calculators).  These items will be advised on the e-mail sent to you by the Examinations Office on the final day of lectures for the semester.

If you find that you have accidentally taken any revision notes or other unauthorised materials into the exam room, you must immediately notify the room supervisor.

You are not permitted to have a cell phone or any other electronic communication device on your person or in adjoining areas (e.g. toilets) during the period of the examination. 

Electronic communication devices (including but not limited to:

• laptops
• iPads/tablets
• Watches (smart watches & analogue)
• timers & stop watches
• iPods & mp3 players

These must be left with your personal belongings at the front of the room, with the Room Supervisor or (in the case of small items) be placed in a clear Ziplock bag under your desk for the duration of the exam.

All devices capable of emitting sound must be switched off with the alarm function disabled. If your device emits any sound during an examination/test you shall be liable for a fine of up to $120. If you are required to be contactable during the exam, in case of an emergency, your cell phone may be left with the Examination Control Room Staff who will pass on any message received. Cell phones, watches, keys and wallets must be stored under your chair in a named, clear plastic Ziploc bag for the duration of the exam session (see above).

If you are found to have any prohibited device on your body in an examination room or in an adjoining area (including toilets) during an examination, you shall be liable to a fine of up to $120.

If you are seen attempting to use a communication or storage device, or if you are thought to have used a device during the exam, the matter will be referred to the Proctor.

If you need to be contactable during an examination, in case of emergency, you may leave your cell phone with the Examination Control Room Staff who will pass on any message received.

Calculators are not permitted unless the examiner has authorised their use. Only self-powered, noiseless, handheld calculators, without data storage facilities are allowed.
Spare calculators are not provided for examinations, so it is important that you have your calculator pre-checked if required.

The courses requiring a UC-stickered approved calculator for the Mid-Year 2023 examinations are: Exams requiring a UC calculator sticker

Please ensure your calculator is stickered well in advance of the examination period.

Calculator checks

For examinations which require a "UC Stickered" Calculator: checks take place from the Information Desk (Te Pātaka, Puaka - James Hight, Level 2) on a drop-in basis Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

• Calculators approved (2023) for a UC sticker (updated 02 March 2023)

If your calculator was stickered before 2022, the sticker is still valid, even if your calculator model is not on the list. Alternatively, you may borrow an approved calculator from the UCSA or Puaka-James Hight. A bond is required which is refunded when you return the calculator (EFTPOS/credit card). 

Your Personal Examination Timetable emailed to you will advise if you are required to have your calculator to be checked and stickered for a particular exam.

Students are responsible for ensuring that their calculators meet requirements. No spare calculators will be provided to the exam room.

No other supplementary material or equipment relating to the use or operation of the calculator, other than spare batteries is permitted.

On entry to the exam room you may be given a card with a seat number printed on it.  You must sit in this seat. If, for medical reasons, you need to sit on an aisle seat, please e-mail examinations@canterbury.ac.nz at least five working days before the exam is scheduled.

Immediately after taking your seat, fill in the attendance slip and answer book cover with your name, student number, course code and course title in the spaces provided. (Law students do not write their name on the answer book.)

Do not start reading the examination questions or writing answers until the Room Supervisor announces that you may begin.

You will not be permitted to leave the room:

• During the first hour of the examination
• During the final fifteen minutes of the examination.

Once the supervisor announces the end of the examination do not add anything more to your answers.

• You must hand in your answer book together with any other paper to the supervisor before you leave the room.
• Do not attempt to discuss any aspect of the examination with any of the examiners for the course before the results are published.

Lost property

If you have lost property check the Examination Control Room or Security.