Writing your exam
For exam security reasons, AU sets the access date of the exam. Online exam access is not available until your course contract start date. The exams can only be opened by an AU-approved invigilator.
To accommodate emergencies, AU provides the ability for the invigilator to access the exam for 5 days after the original write date. The purpose is to accommodate technical issues, weather, emergencies, or other unexpected events that prevent the writing of the exam at the scheduled time. After 5 days, the unwritten exam is no longer available to be written, and you need to request a new exam, except in the case of Supplemental Exams, which must be written as requested.
Arrive promptly for your examination. ProctorU asks that you log in to ProctorU 10 minutes before your scheduled start time. Generally, for exams being written at AU approved invigilators, if you arrive more than 15 minutes late for a scheduled examination, and you have not notified your exam invigilator in advance, you may need to rebook your examination within 5 days. Contact your invigilator for their specific guidelines.
The 5-day hold period is meant as an emergency buffer, such as technical issues, weather emergencies, or other unexpected events that prevent the writing of the exam at the scheduled time. After the 5-day hold period, the unwritten exam is no longer available to be written.
If you think you might be late, please contact your invigilator to discuss whether the exam can be written or must be rescheduled.
At the beginning of the invigilation of the exam, a student must verify that the correct exam (midterm or final) for their course has been provided. Once a student has viewed an exam, unless the wrong exam has been sent to the AU-approved invigilator, it will be considered an attempt at the exam and the exam will be considered written, and assigned a grade.
If a student discovers they have been issued or are writing the wrong exam, they must immediately bring the discrepancy to the invigilator's attention. The exam invigilator must contact AU's Examination Services Unit at 780-675-6579. If the Examination Services Unit is closed, the invigilator must contact the unit the next business day. Further instructions will be provided to the invigilator and the student.
Students must complete their examinations within the time specified on the official invigilation and examination instructions. An exam will be considered void if the student has exceeded the allowed time that has been specified for the exam. Each case will be evaluated on its own merit and the student will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.
Significant exam disruptions may occur which are beyond the control of the student, invigilator, or AU. These may include, but are not limited to, a utility service disruption or an evacuation of an invigilation centre. AU will ensure an appropriate opportunity to write the exam as provided.
In the event of a significant exam disruption, the invigilator must immediately contact the Examination Services Unit at 780-675-6579. If the Examination Services Unit is closed, the invigilator must contact the unit on the following business day. Further instruction will be provided to the invigilator and the student at that time.
Athabasca University reserves the right to require that a student re-write an exam. This does not limit the University's right to proceed with charges of Student Academic Misconduct or Non-Academic Misconduct.
Updated July 22, 2024 by Office of the Registrar