Introduction

For a lot of SETU students, taking an online assessment can be a very unusual experience. You may not know what to expect and you might not be sure about the best practices involved to enable you to perform at your best on the day of your exam. This post will describe some of the best practices and some tips as regards your preparation, on the day of the exam and during the exam, and remember you have been using Moodle for some time now.

Preparation is the key

• Know the exam format of your assessment, will you be required to download an exam paper and resubmit your attempt, will it be in the form of a Moodle quiz with multiple-choice, short answer, essay type questions? Perhaps it might be a combination of various types? Plese make sure you check with your Lectuer days in advance.
• All SETU examination regulations will apply to all assessments.
• If you are handwriting your exam, please make sure you have a scanning app installed and that you are familiar with how to use it.
• Remember to check your SETU student email account regularly.
• Make sure your SETU computer account works and that you can log into Moodle.

Practice 

• All students will have access to their school student information area in Moodle, these information areas have past exam papers and solutions so make the most of these resources.
• This is obvious but make sure you have your study preparations done. Even though your exams will be “open book,” it’s still important to study and revise. 
• Check how much time you have to complete the assessment and make sure you know the time at which your assessment activity will close..

On the day of your exam

• Check your computer. Make sure your battery is charged; you don't want any last-minute problems. Whether you’re using your own computer or someone else's, verify that it has all the correct hardware and software well in advance of the assessment.
• Make sure you’ll be in a location with an adequate internet connection.
• Try and find a quiet location while you are doing the assessment. Make sure there are no distractions. Turn off all your social media notifications. Let your family members know you're doing your exam so that they’re less likely to interrupt you during that time.
• Try to make sure you have everything you need, such as notes, books, etc.

During the Online Exam: Focus

• Take a deep breath! Once you’re logged in, take a moment to relax and get focused. You're a lot more prepared than you might think.
• Keep an eye on the clock. If your assessment is a quiz activity you will see a countdown clock on your screen. However, if you have to download an assessment and answer questions make sure you keep track of time and make sure you know the closing date and time.
• Don't leave it until the last minute to upload your assessment submission.
• Give yourself time to check your work before you submit it. Check the guidelines and instructions from your lecturer and ensure that every answer is complete and appears as you intended. Review the accuracy of your answers, as well as your spelling and grammar.
• For some assessments you won't need to be logged into Moodle constantly. You will only need to login to download your assessment and also again when you want to upload. However, if your assessment is a Moodle quiz you will need to be logged into Moodle as this type of assessment is done in Moodle. 
• If for some reason you lose your internet connection or power during a quiz don't panic. You will have adequate time to get back in and complete the quiz. The quiz will resume from your last attempted question in the quiz.
• Don't forget when you are uploading your work you will have to click 'Save changes'. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time. For Moodle quiz assessments you should click 'Submit and Finish' if you're sure that you are finished and that you have checked your answers. It's worth noting that  the quiz will automatically submit the answers that you have attempted when time runs out.

Technical problems.

• If you have a Moodle query or need technical support or advice, please send an email to moodle@setu.ie. We operate a helpdesk from Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

  If you have a password issue, you will need to send an email to the computer services team at computerservices.wd@setu.ie. 

  If you have a registration issue, please contact the registration team at registration.wd@setu.ie.