What can you take into exams
Find out what items are required and permitted for your exams at UNSW.
Feel confident on exam day by knowing exactly what you can bring.
This guide covers everything you must or may take into your on-campus, invigilated exam at UNSW, including Inspera exams.
See also
For all exams
The following two items areÌýmandatoryÌýfor you to complete yourÌýon-campus invigilated exam:
Bring your physical UNSW Student ID card. If you don’t have one, a driver’s license or passport (physical copy only) is also accepted.
Required for completing the ID form and any written exam responses.
For Inspera exams
In addition to the above, the following two items areÌýmandatoryÌýfor you to complete yourÌýon-campusÌýInsperaÌýinvigilated exam:
Bring your own laptop and charger, as power access during exams is not guaranteed. If you’re unable to bring your own device, you can borrow a laptop from the Law or Main UNSW Library.
You’ll need a smartphone for routine login to exam systems that use Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Visit theÌýcalculators and computersÌýpageÌýfor more information about using your own laptop and other hardware requirements
Visit the for more information.
Optional items
You will be advised on which of the following can be taken into the exam room.
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- Any textbooks or notesÌý–Ìýhard-copy only; no digital materials allowed.
- UNSW-approved calculators – must display the official UNSW label.
- Other calculators – must be silent, non-programmable, internally powered, with memory cleared.
- Hand-held computers – excluding tablets, iPads, or notebooks
- Molecular models
- Drawing tools – compass, protractor, etc.
- Specified textbooks or notes – annotations and highlights only if explicitly allowed
- Materials, textbooks and/or notes specified by schools.
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- Mouse, external keyboard, or laptop stand –ÌýThis will need to be checked by supervisors at the door.
- Wrist or hand-held watch – must be placed under your desk during the exam.
- Pens, pencils, rulers, erasers –Ìýare permitted, but all answers must be written in ink except where expressly required. Pencils may be used only for drawing, sketching or graphical work. Pencil cases are not permitted in exam rooms. Pens, pencils, rulers and erasers must be in your hands ready to be placed on your desk.
- Small purse or wallet and all electronic devices (switched off) – must remain under your desk, on the floor.ÌýUse of these devices during the exam will constituteÌýAcademic Misconduct.ÌýMake sure you read the exam rules to ensure your conduct aligns with university policies.
- Religious or cultural head coverings
- Clear water bottle –ÌýYou can bring in a small clear (not tinted) bottle of water with no label, e.g. a Mount Franklin bottle with the label removed. Bottles will be permitted at the discretion of the supervisor. If your water bottle is confiscated, you may collect it at the completion of your exam. Juice or other beverages are not permitted.
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- English language dictionaries – hard-copy only.
- Bilingual dictionariesÌý– allowed in all exams except language exams.
Note: Discipline-specific and electronic dictionaries are not permitted.Ìý
All dictionaries will be checked during exams to ensure they do not contain unauthorised materials, including any writing or highlighting.
Answers to all exam questions, and in all work submitted, must be in English unless otherwise directed.
Lost Property
If you’ve lost something on or off campus, it might have been handed in to Security and Traffic Management. Check the lost property services for information on how to retrieve your items.
