School Exam Rules

Exam Rules - Home - Tauranga Boys' College

See also NCEA Exam Rules | Digital Exams | Senior Assessment Rules | Junior Assessment Rules

Arrive at least 20 minutes before the exam starts.

If you arrive more than 30 minutes after the exam has started you will not be able to sit the exam or enter an exam room.

Students cannot leave in the first 45 minutes or the last 15 minutes of the examination, even to use the toilet.

NO early leaving for one-hour exams.

Entry of students

  • Students with a uniform exemption will need a pass signed by AP/ DP/ Dean only.
  • Students will be immediately referred to the DP if they do not comply.                                
  • Clear plastic bags ONLY - no coloured bags, no pencil cases etc. Bags are to be placed at the front of rooms.
  • No phones or watches of any kind. Phones must be switched off and placed in schoolbag.          

Students who miss exams during exam week                                

  • Students who miss exams have the responsibility to contact Mr Gilbert to arrange for an alternative time during exam week.                                
  • Students who do not provide a note/medical certificate within 3 school days of return will ‘not achieve’ in all the standards examined in the exam.                   

Exam materials                                

  • Students are responsible for taking the correct equipment to the exam and making sure that it is working.                                
  • Bring equipment into the exam room in a clear plastic bag. Students can bring:                                

               - pens (black and blue colours are permitted) pencils and an eraser                                

               - an approved calculator for subjects where a calculator has been used during the year.                                

  • Calculators must be silent, hand-held, non-printing and work from their own power. Students cannot keep notes, routines or store files in the calculator memory. Teachers or supervisors will check the calculator memory is cleared before it can be brought into the exam room.                                

 Emergency evacuation and student pack                                

  • Students are allowed to bring items for an emergency evacuation into the examination room in a clear, sealable plastic bag. This pack must stay under the chair and not be touched or opened without the permission of the supervisor. Contents could include a mobile phone (switched off) or other electronic device, keys, money, bus pass and medicines.                            

Banned items                                

Do not bring the following items into an exam room unless sealed in the emergency evacuation pack:                                

  • blank paper or refill paper
  • correcting fluid
  • books, written notes or electronic notes
  • cell phones or pagers
  • English dictionaries, foreign language dictionaries, or te reo Māori dictionaries or translators
  • watches of any type (digital or analogue)
  • any electronic device which has the capability to store, communicate and/or retrieve information except approved calculators.

During the exam                                

Students should:                                

  • not borrow equipment from someone else                                
  • not talk to, communicate with, or do anything to disturb other students                                
  • not read or copy another student's work.  
  • put your hand up if you have a problem                      

Writing answers

Students should:

  • follow all the instructions on the front cover of the exam booklet
  • use only black or blue pen
  • not write in pencil unless instructed to do so. Work in pencil or erasable pen will not be accepted if a student applies for review or reconsideration
  • write neatly, so the marker can read the answers
  • cross out any work they do not want marked
  • not write or draw anything that may be regarded as offensive
  • not write to the marker or write in the part of the answer booklet 'For assessor's use only'
  • not write answers for one standard in the answer booklet for another. Where students fill up their answer booklet, they may request extra paper
  • fill in their details at the top of any additional sheets of paper provided and put them inside the answer booklet.

At the end of the exam

Students must stop writing when the supervisor tells them to. They must hand all material to be marked to the supervisor before they leave. If they take any work outside the examination room, it will not be marked.

Missed Exam

Students who miss an exam for whatever reason shall immediately notify the Student Office. A decision will be made by the Deputy Principal (Senior School) as to the legitimacy of the absence (see below). An alternative time will be provided during exam week if the absence is legitimate. Class teachers are responsible for exam supervision outside of exam week.

Illness-related Absence

1. Students who, through illness, cannot sit examination(s) at the timetabled time or at an alternative time must either show a medical certificate to their class teacher(s) within 3 days of returning to school or have a caregiver contact the Deputy Principal (Senior School) to explain their absence
2. In such approved cases, the class teacher shall either provide an assessed grade, using evidence or arrange for the student to sit the exam under the class teacher’s supervision

Legitimate Non-sickness Absences

Students who, through official inter-school exchange or official work experience, cannot sit examination(s) at the timetabled time or at the alternative time during exam week will either be entered as ‘Absent’ or sit the examination on their return by arrangement with the class teacher.

Absences Not Considered Legitimate

Students who do not sit an examination and do not present a medical certificate within 3 school days or do not contact the Student Office to arrange an alternative time or do not contact the Deputy Principal (Senior School) shall receive a “Not Achieved” grade for their missed examination(s).

Irregularities and Cheating

1. Students suspected of an examination irregularity or suspected of cheating shall have their names reported to the HOD and Deputy Principal (Senior School). Any evidence shall be given to the Deputy Principal (Senior School).
2. Where the alleged irregularity or cheating is denied, the Deputy Principal (Senior School) will investigate and may arrange a meeting between the student, the teacher, HOD and Deputy Principal. The student may have a parent or support person present if they wish.
3. If, as a result of the evidence and discussions, the HOD and Deputy Principal consider that cheating did occur, the student shall be given a “Not Achieved” grade for that examination and the parents informed. An appropriate report comment should be made.
4. The student has a right to appeal the decision to the Principal.

Variation

Any variation to the above is at the discretion of the Deputy Principal, Senior School or Principal.