Exam Preparation Checklist

It is important to review the general exam regulations for the exam period, as well as specific rules at the exam venue.

You can usually find exam information in:

• The course syllabus
• Canvas (e.g. announcements from your teacher)
• Your personal exam timetable, if applicable

Check this before your exam:

• Where the exam takes place
• How the exam is structured
• What you are allowed to bring
• Ugla login and password

Exam locations vary depending on the course and format.

• Most written on-site exams take place in buildings on campus.
• It is recommended to check the exam venue in advance.
  • Campus map
  • Building overview
• Transport to and from campus

Distance exams

• Information about how distance exams are conducted can be found here.

Take-home exams

• Take-home exams are completed outside formal examination venues (e.g., at home or in a library), and students are given a set time to submit their answers. 

Exams can be organised in different ways:

• Open-book exams: The teacher decides whether all materials are allowed or only specific ones.
• Closed-book exams: No materials are permitted.
• Paper exams: Taken in an exam hall with answers written on an examination paper.
• Oral or practical exams: Students answer questions or complete tasks in front of an examiner.
• Inspera exams: May be locked (with or without resources) or open-book.
• Canvas exams: Organised and managed by the teacher.

Inspera is the University of Iceland's e-assessment system. In most cases, students can use their own computer, whether the exam is open- or closed-book. The system can restrict access to other applications and resources during exams.

• Locked Inspera exams restrict access to other systems during the exam. Open Inspera exams allow the use of external software and materials.
• It is important to complete installing the Inspera browser (SEB) before the exam starts.

Students taking Inspera exams can borrow a laptop. If the exam is organised by the Examination Office, laptops are available on-site, and you simply need to speak to the invigilator. 

The University offers various types of support during exams, for example, due to:

• learning difficulties
• disabilities
• long-term illness
• or exam anxiety

Applications must be submitted to Student Counselling before 1 October (autumn semester) or 1 March (spring semester).

Breastfeeding parents can also apply for accommodations.

To receive accommodations, you must contact the student counselling support team.

Canvas exams are always managed by the teacher, not the Examination Office. Students are responsible for informing the teacher about extended time and/or other accommodations. 

It is recommended to review what to do in case of illness during exams or if an acceptable grade is not achieved.

Make-up and resit exams for the autumn semester are held in the last days before Christmas and the first days after New Year, depending on the original exam date.

For the spring semester, resit and make-up exams take place over a 4–5 day period in late May or early June, as decided by the Director of Examinations.