Online exams

An online exam is where you use an online system or webpage to access the exam questions and submit your answers or responses.

Technology time allowances will be given to most time-limited exams. If you receive technology time allowances, this will be added to your exam timetable in the coming weeks.

How online exams work

Nearly all students will sit their exams in Brightspace, which you access and complete using your online web browser, such as Chrome. You may have previously completed an online quiz using this system. There may also be other types of online exam systems used in this session.

Your online exam will be delivered through your Brightspace subject site. You may have previously completed an online quiz using this system.

Access Brightspace using an online web browser, such as Chrome. Make sure you have turned off any pop-up blocking software too, as this may block your online exam from opening.

Once you login to your Brightspace subject site, your exam can be accessed either from the online exam content widget, or some exams may be located in your assessments widget.

Once your exam is scheduled to start, click on the start quiz button.

Brightspace will automatically submit your exam for you when the time is up.

Make sure you write your own responses within the text field provided. You will not be able to cut and paste text into the exam response field.

Preparing to sit an online exam

Follow these steps to make sure you're set up correctly on the day.

Step 1

See when your exam is scheduled

The time of your online take-home exam will be in your personal exam timetable.

Step 2

Understand how much time you'll have

Check if it will be strict time-limited or if you’ll have a submission window (a period of time) to submit your exam online.

Step 3

Confirm or update your contact details

Check your mobile phone and contact details are up-to-date. This will allow our support team to contact you should there be any technical disruptions on the day of your exam.

Step 4

Run through your preparation instructions

Check your Brightspace subject sites with the instructions your subject coordinator will give to help you prepare for your exam.

Step 5

Check if your computer or laptop meets the system requirements

You'll need to make sure your system meets the requirements to use Brightspace.

You will need to sit your exam on a desktop computer or laptop. For system stability, we do not recommend using a tablet,  Chromebook or smartphone to sit your exam.

Step 6

System requirements

Browser: Brightspace supports Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Apple Safari. It is always a good idea to make sure you have the latest version of your chosen browser.

Operating Systems: Brightspace is compatible with every version of Windows or Apple operating systems, capable of running any of the supported web browsers.

Turn off pop-up blockers: you must also turn off any pop-up blocking software, as this may block your online exam opening. Learn how to check the pop-up blocker [PDF] settings for your browser:

Step 7

Follow your exam day action plan

Time-limited exam

Be ready at your computer and desk on the day to complete and submit your exam on time. You will also receive a 10-minute reading time.

Submission window exam

You'll have a set number of days to complete your exam. Make sure you complete and submit your exam by the last day of the submission window period.

Please ensure you write your own responses within the text field provided. You will not be able to cut and paste text into the exam respond field. The cut and paste functionality has been disabled in most online exams.

Exam help and support