Here are the online exam guidelines: Pick up your computer and spin it 360 degrees

It has been a strange semester for most students, and the summer oral exams marking the end of the semester will be no different: Oral exams are to be held via video conference.

Some may fear that this will make the exam process even more troublesome than usual.

Gone are the days of simply showing up, drawing a question, and taking a seat across the table from the examiners. The coming round of online oral exams require preparation, both in terms of the technical aspects as well as setup in your home.

This according to the University of Copenhagen’s newly published guidelines.

You need to make sure the technical aspects are covered. Be sure to have everything checked at least a couple of days prior to the exam. You need to ensure that video and audio is working on the platform, you will be using for the exam (platforms include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, and Adobe Connect). You should also make sure that your computer will not launch a routine update in the middle of your exam.

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Simply greeting the examiners will not do either. You have to confirm your identity prior to the exam by holding your student ID card up to the camera lens, so the examiners can confirm your details. A passport or a valid driver’s license will also do.

If you were planning on lounging on your sofa with your computer in your lap, you can forget about it. You are required to setup your own examination room based on the student guidelines. This basically means, that you must be able to demonstrate that you are alone in the room. The exam will commence after you have physically picked up your computer or webcam and performed a 360-degree spin, so the examiners can see that you are alone in the room. You are also required to sit with your back against the door, making it impossible for anyone to sneak in during the exam.

You will not be able to draw the topic of examination yourself. The examiners will randomly pick a topic. Here you may ask the examiner to share his or her screen view, so you can monitor the selection process.

What if I experience technical issues?

Most people, who have used Zoom or Teams at some point during the shutdown, know that video conference calls can be far more complicated than they sound.

Should you experience poor video or audio quality or a choppy internet connection, you should inform your examiner about the issues. Subsequently, you can try re-establishing the connection. Should your connection drop you from the conference call completely, you should contact IT support. The University of Copenhagen has opened a hotline with that very purpose in mind. You can find more information about it at KUnet.

If the technical issues persist, the examiners can decide to extend the exam or cancel it. In the event of the latter, the exam administrator will issue you a new time slot for your exam.

If you have managed to complete the oral exam, but for some reason you are cut off before the grade has been determined, do not fret! Your grade will almost immediately upon completion be logged in the Digital Exam system. However, if you want your examiner’s comments on your performance, you will need to contact him or her.

Should you experience any errors during the course of the exam, you have the option of filing a complaint. At least that one thing has not changed.

Translated by Theis Duelund