Rules and procedures for exams

Exams at West Wallsend High School

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your examination is scheduled to start.
Read the examination timetable carefully. Failure to do so is not grounds for a misadventure appeal.
Wait outside the examination room until the supervisor lets you know it is time to enter. You will enter the room approximately 10 minutes before the examination is due to start.
Late students will not be allowed extra time. If you arrive later than one hour after the commencement of the examination you will not be admitted to the examination room.
School uniform must be worn to all examinations. Hats and hoods are not to be worn.
You are NOT permitted to leave the examination room early; all students must remain in the room until the end of the examination time and all papers are collected.
Students with two examinations on the one day are to remain at school between examinations.

You must write in black pen – bring spares.
You may also bring a ruler, highlighters, pencil (at least 2B) and an eraser.
You can wear your watch to your exams, but once you sit down you will have to take it off and place it in clear view on your desk.
NESA approved calculator for specific exams.
A clear water bottle may be kept on the desk.
All bags must be left at the back of the room.
Make sure any equipment you are allowed to bring, such as a calculator, is in good working order because an appeal under misadventure provisions for equipment failure will not be upheld.

It is your responsibility to make sure that the correct examination paper has been provided. You must also check question papers to make sure that there are no pages missing.
Reading time is for reading only, NO writing or highlighting may be undertaken during reading time.
You must not speak to any person other than a supervising teacher during the examination.
When answering examination papers, you must:
- read the instructions on the front page of the examination carefully;
- write in black pen, pencil may be used only where specifically directed;
- not commence writing until instructed to do so by the supervising teacher;
- stop writing immediately when directed by the supervising teacher.
Sign the attendance slip provided to confirm your attendance.
All examination papers, answer booklets/sheets and working out paper MUST be collected by the supervising teacher before you are permitted to leave the examination room. You are not permitted to remove any examination materials from the room.

Any breaches of examination procedures will result in a student being asked to leave the examination room to report to the deputy principal.

The consequences for malpractice during an examination can be very serious and penalties can include the award of a zero mark.

If you are unwell, experiencing flu symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 you should contact the school to notify the deputy principal you will not be attending the examination.
If illness or misadventure occurs before the examination and you are still able to attend, notify a supervising teacher when entering the examination. Where possible it is best to attend the examination and complete an illness/misadventure application for consideration.
If a problem occurs during an examination, notify a supervising teacher.
If you are absent from an examination due to illness or misadventure you must submit an illness/misadventure appeal application for consideration, including supporting evidence such as a medical certificate.
An alternate time will be arranged for you to sit any examinations missed.

Mobile phones are not permitted in an examination room under any circumstances. MOBILE PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF AND AWAY IN YOUR BAG. They may not be left on desks or in pockets.
A programmable watch, e.g. a smart watch, will not be permitted in the exam room.
Any electronic device (except a calculator where permitted). This includes mobile phones or other communication devices, organisers, tablets (e.g. iPads), music players, earphones/ear buds or electronic dictionaries.
Paper or any printed or written material. You can ask the supervising teacher for working paper if needed.
Print dictionaries, except where permitted in language examinations.
Correction fluid (liquid paper).
Eating/chewing gum is not permitted.