Frequently asked questions on the order of online examinations
Frequently asked questions on the order of online examinations
Re. Section 2 Scope
Is there a possibility that one of the regulations mentioned in Section 2 is exempt from the OPO
No, these regulations shall apply concurrently to all regulations relevant to examinations. An exemption shall only apply to those points of a regulation where a regulation relevant to examinations independently contains provisions on online examinations, insofar as online examinations are to be provided for.
Re. Section 3 Online examinations
Re. Section 3 Online examinations
All examinations that by their nature are suitable for this purpose, in electronic form and without any obligation to be present in person in a specific examination room, may be conducted as online examinations. This definition is derived from a new regulation of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (see Section 7.4.1) of February 2022 and the resulting regulation of the OPO (see Section 3.1).
I’m a student and do not want to / cannot take the examination specified in the examination regulations as an online examination. Am I entitled to sit the examination in the “conventional way” in person?
An examination announced as an online examination may be rejected if necessary. A distinction must be made here:
- The candidate does not want to sit the examination as an online examination:
> This is not a justified reason as there is no option of an alternative examination in this case. - The candidate cannot sit the examination as an online examination:
> Provided that the reasons specified fall under the compensation for disadvantages, this shall apply accordingly.
The student is therefore only entitled to take the examination in a different format in individual cases if sitting the examination in the specified format is not possible or reasonable for them. In all other cases, they are not allowed.
Re. Section 4 Examination arrangements
Who decides which examination is offered as an online examination?
The examiner decides on the format of the examination, i.e. in-person or an online examination (as before, at the beginning of the semester).
Who is authorised to decide that the format of an examination should be changed for good cause after the semester has started?
The examiner is authorised to make this decision.
There may be good cause if an unforeseeable event occurs that makes it impossible to conduct the examination in the format determined at the start of the semester. Provided that the other examination format enables the examination to be sat in this situation, the examiner may change examination formats even after the semester has begun.
As a lecturer, can I change the format of an examination in the summer semester 2022 at short notice?
Yes, this is possible for the summer semester in accordance with Section 4.1.2 and 4.1.3. This instance of a transition period shall come under the term “important reason” (sentence 2).
Where and how is it announced that an examination is conducted as an online examination?
Announcements are made as usual via the examination date announcement in Stud.IP.
As a student, how can I familiarise myself with the online examination environment?
For testing out a written exam via Vips/Stud.IP, there is the option of an online test exam under ;
- Practice event: E-didactics for students: try out Vips exam. (only in German available)
I’m a lecturer and I’m wondering how authentication should be planned in accordance with Section 4.6. What should be considered here?
When planning the organisation of an online examination, it is worth considering that a sufficiently large time window needs to be scheduled to check the candidates’ IDs.
I’m a student but I don’t have a computer that meets the technical requirements to successfully sit an online examination. What should I do if an examination is set to be taken online?
Students who do not have technically adequate equipment may, in individual cases, sit the online examination using a computer provided in an examination room provided by the School.
As a student, why do I have to leave my camera switched on for the entire duration of an online examination for examination formats where image transmission makes no difference to the exam result?
A legitimate online examination requires the candidates to complete the examination themselves during the entire duration thereof in order to safeguard equal opportunities (see Section 7.4.2.2 and 7.4.2.4 of the NHG of February 2022). It can only be ensured that the candidates complete the examination themselves through the activation of the camera and microphone function during the entire duration of the examination (video proctoring).
How is video proctoring supposed to work for examinations with a large number of candidates?
For examinations with many candidates, students are divided up into virtual proctoring rooms (in Big Blue Button) with, for example, 25 candidates per invigilator. The examiners or invigilators authorised by the examiners are responsible for invigilation.
Can everyone see everyone if in an exam with many students everyone is required to turn on their camera?
The examination coordinator can adjust the room settings in Big Blue Button so that the candidates can only see the moderator’s camera.
As a student, how can I contact the invigilators of an examination if questions arise during an examination (e.g. a written exam)?
Direct contact with examiners or invigilators of an examination should be ensured without the participation of third parties through the private chat, by contacting them via email or a telephone number provided in advance at which the invigilator can be reached.
Re. Section 5 Technical problems during online examinations
If individual students experience technical problems during an examination with many candidates, e.g. video proctoring does not work for a written exam, does this mean the examination will be terminated prematurely for all students?
No, the examination is only terminated for the students concerned if the lecturer decides on the basis of their discretionary powers that a delayed continuation of the examination may not be appropriate.