exam season in uni?

Anonymous #1

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Reply 1

CardiffUni Rep 2

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

If you mean by "sit-down" exams as in person exams, then yes, most subjects at uni usually have at least one of them to test your memory and recall. But there are lots of different ways that universities assess you, and some subjects have 24hr online exams (which are not based on memory but rather how you answer questions) as well as coursework. Some exams might be testing your technical skills, if your subject requires that. You also have coursework. Here in Cardiff its a decent mix between coursework and exams.

Out of curiosity, what subject were you interested in studying? :smile:

~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep

Reply 2

University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Hey,
As Fatiha mentioned there are many ways that University courses assess. Most do feature a sit down exam at some point - humanities degrees often have long extended writing exams and science/engineering typically have both short and long exams. Other assessments can include group projects, coursework assignments/essays.
Since covid some exams have moved online but many remain in person.

Catherine - University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Original post by CardiffUni Rep 2

If you mean by "sit-down" exams as in person exams, then yes, most subjects at uni usually have at least one of them to test your memory and recall. But there are lots of different ways that universities assess you, and some subjects have 24hr online exams (which are not based on memory but rather how you answer questions) as well as coursework. Some exams might be testing your technical skills, if your subject requires that. You also have coursework. Here in Cardiff its a decent mix between coursework and exams.
Out of curiosity, what subject were you interested in studying? :smile:

~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep

international relations or history

Reply 4

CardiffUni Rep 2

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

international relations or history

Ah, those are humanities subjects so they do have some elements of sit down exams. Honestly I would say it depends uni to uni. Here in Cardiff, you do have traditional exams but also loads of other forms of coursework.

For example, it says from the International Relations course page:
"...study skills support at first year, specific research training at second year and longer research essays, primary research exercises and, if selected, the dissertation at third year. Forms of teaching and assessment across the three years of the programme will include a wide range of methods and approaches, from essays and exams to group work, blogs, primary document analysis, writing briefings and learning diaries."

For History:
"Assessments include source criticisms, research projects, reviews, presentations, creative-critical portfolios and blog posts, alongside more traditional forms of assessment such as essays and tests/exams. Some of our assessments allow you to work collaboratively on a project"

So in general, in Cardiff its a good mix between coursework and sit down exams! But other universities might be different. It's just another factor you may have to consider when applying to university 🙂

~ Fatiha, Cardiff University Student Rep

Reply 5

martin7

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Not necessarily. As other posters have noted, universities have a wide range of different methods of assessment.

Obviously a lot of traditional in-person exams had to change due to the pandemic; universities are moving back towards that method of assessment now. I suspect concerns over cheating using ChatGPT etc will mean that there will be an increasing move towards in-person exams to counteract that.

Reply 6

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Hi there,

I would say not all courses have sit down exams or exams in general. It really depends both on the university and the course. Courses such as medicine or engineering are most likely to have elements of exams where as humanity subjects such as history or geography can vary from uni to uni. I study environmental geography and my degree is assessed 100% through coursework which is the same as quite a few other courses at York St John. However at other universities my course is more split between coursework and exams.

Although all universities are different if you are study a course with coursework elements the most common assessment types is through essays, presentations and portfolios and the exams can vary from exams in an exam hall like at school to open book exams that are online at home.

I hope this helps 😊
Katie - Student Ambassador

Reply 7

University of Huddersfield

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

No.

Creative subjects such as art don't have sit down exams.

Oluwatosin – 3rd year student – University of Huddersfield

Reply 8

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Hello,

It depends on the subject!

In my case, I studied medicine and we had exams twice a year in my first two years (January: formatives & May: summative) in My 3rd, 4th, and 5th years we had 2 exams in July (one was a practical exam (OSCE) and one was a theoretical exam)

Some of my other friends in Creative majors like Theatre usually have a portfolio based system and undergo projects instead.

Do you think you prefer exams or coursework ?

Best,
Haya - MBBS V

Reply 9

EdgeHillStudents

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Hey,

This will be different based on the uni and degree that you do and can also be controlled by the modules you have chosen.

For example, in my first and second year I had exams first year were online due to their still being issues with covid and the exams hadn't been moved to in person for that year. However, second year I had in person/sit down exams.

In my final year I made sure to choose modules that were 100% coursework so I didn't have additional stress on top of dissertation.

I would recommend trying to choose modules that assess you in the ways that you can excel but don't let that stop you from choosing an interesting module.

For Politics and International Relations at Edge Hill in your first year 2 compulsory modules are 100% coursework, one compulsory module is 50% coursework and 50% practical and the other compulsory module is 60% exam and 40% coursework.

For History at Edge Hill in your first year 3 compulsory modules are 100% coursework, one is 70% coursework and 30% practical and another is 70% coursework and 30% exam.

Overall the way you assessed will vary depending on multiple factors.

Hopefully that helps!

Rebecca
3rd Year Geoenvironmental Hazards Student

Reply 10

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Depends on the course/subject tbh :smile:

In second year I had like 5 exams, just finished 3rd year and I've only had 2 'proper' exams (closed book) the other exam I had was completely open book.

Reply 11

Anonymous #1

Original post by Chronoscope

Depends on the course/subject tbh :smile:

In second year I had like 5 exams, just finished 3rd year and I've only had 2 'proper' exams (closed book) the other exam I had was completely open book.

how do u find open book exams

Reply 12

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by Anonymous

how do u find open book exams

Slightly easier but I've found open book exams require more organisation / application of knowledge whereas closed book is a bit more of a memory test.

Reply 13

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im confused does every subject in uni have sit down exams??

Hi Anon,
It varies between courses and universities. This year at Lancaster I have online open book exams, but I know lots of friends at the same uni have in person exams.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)