Exam delivery & locations
Information about exactly how and where to take your final examinations at UNSW
On this page: learn about how you'll take your exam and where our exam venues are, then check out our FAQs.
From invigilated & in-person, to internal & remote, understand how you'll be taking your end-of-term exams at UNSW.
The final examination for your courses may be delivered as an invigilated, face-to-face test or a non-invigilated, remote assessment.
Your course authority determines whether an exam is:
- Centrally managed
- The UNSW Examinations Team organises central examinations. These are only either physical exams with pen and paper, or digital exams delivered through our assessment platform, Inspera.
- Internal/school managed
- Internal examinations are organised by your school or faculty and delivery may vary physically and digitally.
Important note: It is mandatory for students to sit centrally managed, invigilated final exams on campus.
See also
Pen and paper exams
Pen and paper examinations (invigilated)
Some exams will be offered in the traditional pen-and-paper format. These exams are physical, in-person and supervised by an exam invigilator.
If your exam is centrally managed, the location of your exam will be available on your exam timetable on myUNSW. If your exam is managed by the Schools, you can check Moodle or your Course Outline for more information.
What do I need to do?
- Remember to bring your student ID card, a pen and a UNSW approved calculator (if required), as well as anything specifically instructed by your course authority. Everything else will be provided on the day.
- Check myUNSW or Moodle for details of your exam.
Got questions? Look through our exams information, the exams rules page or email exams@unsw.edu.au.
In-person Inspera exams
In-person Inspera examinations (invigilated)
Face-to-face, digital exams are held at the UNSW Kensington campus on Inspera, our digital assessment platform. These exams are digital, in person and supervised by an exam invigilator.
For centrally managed Inspera exams on campus (physical location on your timetable), use this checklist to prepare for your exams.
We recommend using your own laptop for your Inspera in-person exam.
- Check if your laptop meets hardware requirements.
- Learn how to prepare your laptop for a digital exam.
- Don't have a laptop? Borrow a laptop or purchase one for a discounted price.
What do I need to do?
- Make sure you:
- Fully charge your laptop (bring your charging cable just in case!)
- Connect your laptop to the eduroam Wi-Fi network
- Download the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) on your laptop.
- Complete a practice exam using the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) before your exam!
- Check your exam timetable for the date, time and location of your exam. Plan your journey and refer to our campus map if you're not sure where to go.
- Check Moodle for the details of your exam, including what you need to bring.
Refer to the on-campus exam rules or contact your course authority if you have any questions.
Got questions? Look through our exams information or email exams@unsw.edu.au.
Remote Inspera exams
Remote Inspera examinations (non-invigilated)
Online, non-invigilated exams are held remotely on Inspera, our digital assessment platform. These exams are digital, remote and not supervised by an exam invigilator.
All centrally managed remote exams will be held on Inspera. If your exam is managed by the school (i.e. not listed on your exam timetable on myUNSW), check on Moodle for your exam details or contact your course coordinator.
For centrally managed Inspera remote exams (platform and location will both say Inspera on your timetable), use this checklist to prepare for your exams.
What do I need to do?
- Secure access to a laptop or desktop computer. If you don't own one, you can book a computer or borrow a laptop.
- Check how to prepare for online assessments prior to your exam.
Got questions? Look through our exams information or email exams@unsw.edu.au.
Other online exams
Other online exams
Other online exams are held remotely as determined by your school or faculty.
What do I need to do?
- Secure access to a laptop or desktop computer. If you don't own one, you can book a computer or borrow a laptop.
- Check Moodle for the details of your exam, including any specific instructions about delivery or what you'll need.
Got questions? Look through our exams information or email exams@unsw.edu.au.
Require alternative arrangements for your exam?
If you can't take your exam as scheduled due to particular commitments or long-term conditions, you may be eligible to receive alternative arrangements.
Exam locations
Before exam day, be familiar with exactly where your exam venue is. Stay prepared by planning out how to get there on time.
Find your exam location and other exam details in your Exam Timetable on myUNSW.
If your Exam Timetable indicates that your exam location is:
- Inspera, please log into Inspera with your zID and password.
- Internal Exam - Consult School, this will be an internally managed, school exam. Please consult your school or faculty for details about your exam.
Helpful resources
- John Niland Scientia Building
- The Law Building
- The Mathews Building
- The Tyree Energy Technology Building
- The Quadrangle Building
- Law Library
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An invigilated exam means that there will be a UNSW staff member supervising the exam on campus.
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Check your final exam timetable, once released in myUNSW, for exact details about the final examination type for your course.
If the final exam timetable is yet to release, your course outline and/or assessment information provided in Moodle is usually a good indication of the type of exam you'll be taking. Speak to your lecturer, tutor or course authority if you have particular questions.
If your course has an Inspera exam, you will also receive an email leading up to the exam period that outlines everything you need to know about Inspera.
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Inspera is an easy-to-use digital assessment platform, which allows for centralised live support, increased accessibility through user customisation and easy navigation during an exam. Learn more.
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You will need to a bring a laptop with you for on-campus Inspera exams.
If you are doing a remote exam, you may also need your own laptop.
Student discounts for laptops
Many retailers offer student discounts when you purchase devices for education. Check your preferred retailers' sites or contact them to inquire about student discounts.
If you aren't sure what kind of laptop you need, you can reach out to UNSW myIT for advice.
Please note: For any exam that requires you to bring your own device, you must bring a laptop. You cannot complete your exam on a smartphone, personal digital assistant or any other radio device.
Borrow a laptop or book a computer
You can borrow a loan laptop from the Main UNSW Library, Law Library or Paddington Library for a 4-hour period.
If you have an remote, online exam, you can also book a Library computer. -
Plan your journey to campus ahead of your exams, and refer to our interactive campus maps to see where to go!
The time and place of any in-person exam will be released via your Exam Timetable in myUNSW later in the term.
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Yes, you can complete your remote exam(s) anywhere you have access to a computer, stable Wi-Fi and the exam platform--preferably a quiet space with minimal distractions.
Your exam timetable is in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), the Kensington campus time zone. If you are overseas, you need to be aware of the correct time difference for your exam. Please note that Inspera start times will change within the browser to reflect your device’s current time zone.
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Students are only able to enter their final exams on-campus within the first 30 minutes, per the UNSW exam rules. The time does not include reading or extra time.
- For your morning exam you will not be admitted to the exam after 10:30am.
- For your afternoon exam you will not be admitted to the exam after 2:30pm.
- For your evening exam you will not be admitted to the exam after 6:30pm.
