Q: How to I find and access my exam?

A: You will access your exam via your module QMPlus page. There will be a tab that appears close to the exam time on your QMPlus page. The tab will be  clearly labelled as "Exam - Online Essay Assessment". There, you will find instructions and link to download the exam script. It will be straightforward once you see it and follow the instructions. If you experience any problems, please contact the Exam Team at sbbs-exams@qmul.ac.uk

Q: Do I have 2 hours to complete my exam? Or do I have to upload my essay to QMPlus earlier to account for upload time? 

A: You have 2 hours to write your exam (the writing period).  

Then, please UPLOAD your exam answer to QMPlus. There may be a delay in uploading to QMPlus due to the high volume of uploads: that is okay. We have built in a 30-min grace period for uploading into QMPlus. 

You may also email an identical copy of your exam answer to sbbs-psy-onlineassessment@qmul.ac.uk as a back-up. 

Submissions received between 1s and 10 minutes after the 30 minute upload time (submission period) will receive a penalty of 10% of the total marks available. Submissions received 10+ minutes after the submission period will receive zero. 

Q: Do I need references for my exam? 

A: As you know from reading through the Psychology Essay-Based Marking Criteria, "good evidence of broad-based reading" is an important criteria for A-grade papers. One source of this evidence is in-text citations and a reference list. 

Neither in-text citations nor a reference list must be perfectly formatted under timed-essay conditions. Note 6 in the Essay Marking Criteria expands on this point. However, in-text citations and references are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and synthesis of the material, and to show that you're using evidence-based reasoning throughout your essay.  Think of using in-text citations and references as a way to show off all of the wonderful reading and knowledge that you've gained from your module, and indeed in your degree overall!

Will I loose marks if you don't have a reference list or citations? Not per se, but it will be more difficult to establish "good evidence of broad-based reading" without in-text citations. If you had to prioritize in-text citations vs. a reference list, we recommend prioritizing in-text citations because you can directly connect the literature to support your statement with an in-text citation. 

How should I prepare references for an exam? We recommend creating a reference list "crib sheet" as part of your revision strategy for the exam. This sheet can include the references for papers that you read for your module, and include both the assigned reading and the broader reading you completed. Add a note about what the study demonstrates in your crib sheet, and structure the sheet so that you have references for each of the module topics. Look for connections across references/weeks and even across different modules as part of your revision strategy. This will not only help you consolidate your learning for the module, but also give you a tool to use in your exam to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the literature. 

Q: Can I see my Turnitin Score prior to submitting my exam?

A: No, you will not see your Turnitin score for your exam. However, your lecturers will see and evaluate the Turnitin score, and academic misconduct will be taken seriously. Thus, you need to ensure that your writing is entirely your own.  

Q: Can I use generative AI (e.g., chatGPT) in my exam?

A: No, your exam answer must be entirely your own thoughts and work output. Please see our Psychology Department Policy on the Use of Generative AI, and the workshop on "Academic Integrity" below. Generative AI is not a valid scientific source of information, and your essay must be written in your own words.  

Q: Is the exam "open book"?

A: The exam is open book, however the expectation is that you will revise enough to be able to answer the question with minimal consultation of your materials. Our advice is to approach revision thinking that the exam is not open book, as this will push you to become very familiar with the content, allowing more opportunities to create links and connections within your knowledge base.

Q: Do I need to do research during the 2 hours to answer the exam question? 

A: No, you should answer the exam question using the knowledge and skills that you have obtained through your study of the module and your degree overall. This is why it is extremely important that you revise thoroughly prior to sitting the exam. 

Q: Is the exam graded to the same standard as a coursework essay with unlimited amount of time? 
A: No, as the Psychology Essay-Style Marking Scheme notes, the expectations are different for an timed essay written under exam conditions and a coursework essay written without time constraints. We want you to write your essay using same skills that you've developed throughout your degree, using logic, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning to craft your answer.  However, we know that your language, formatting, references, and explanations may not be as polished as if you had an unlimited amount of time, and this will be taken into consideration in your grade. 

One way to approach a timed essay is to: 1. read the question, 2.  create an essay outline (ensuring to answer all aspects of the question) (10-25 min), 3. fill in the evidence/citations for each section, 4. add explanations and critical appraisal, 5. add transitions and conclusions, 6. review your answer. 

Last modified: Tuesday, 1 October 2024, 4:35 AM