Experiencing problems with an exam?
Sometimes things don’t go the way we expect with exams. Whatever has happened, please don’t panic.
The University has processes and procedures to support students with a variety of exam problems.
First, before you do anything else, read the University Guidance: Problems Completing Your Assessment
Processes for dealing with exam issues all take place within working hours Monday-Friday. Though you may send an email at any time, you shouldn’t expect a response during evenings or weekends.
For information on how to notify the College about problems with exams, select an option below:
If you are experiencing health difficulties that could impact an upcoming exam, contact the Academic Office at the earliest opportunity.
Send an email addressed to BOTH Katherine Brown AND Sheila Smith detailing your circumstances.
katherine.brown@st-annes.ox.ac.uk sheila.smith@st-annes.ox.ac.uk
Emails are monitored on working days (Mon-Fri) from 8am.
If you are too unwell to attend your exam, if the illness is infectious or would be seriously disruptive to others taking exams, or if you have another urgent and insurmountable issue preventing you attending your exam, you need to notify us so we can apply for excusal.
In this event, you must notify the Academic Office via an email addressed to BOTH Katherine Brown AND Sheila Smith detailing your circumstances.
katherine.brown@st-annes.ox.ac.uk sheila.smith@st-annes.ox.ac.uk
Emails are monitored on working days (Mon-Fri) from 8am. There is no need to have communication any sooner than this even if the exam is a morning exam.
If you had to leave your exam part-way because of ill health, you will need to notify the Academic Office via an email addressed to BOTH Katherine Brown AND Sheila Smith detailing the circumstances.
katherine.brown@st-annes.ox.ac.uk sheila.smith@st-annes.ox.ac.uk
Emails are monitored on working days (Mon-Fri) from 8am. There is no need to have communication any sooner than this.
If you experienced problems during your exam, then you might consider submitting Mitigating Circumstances. Please bear in mind there are limitations to the actions the examiners can take in response. Please refer to the University Guidance: ‘Problems Completing Your Assessment’ (above).
Practical tips for approaching exams
Below you’ll find top tips and practical strategies whether you’re preparing for prelims or facing finals.
Taking care of our health and wellbeing is a key part of success – ‘be well do well’.
Exams can raise our stress and anxiety levels. This is normal and even helpful as it can sharpen our focus and motivate us to achieve our goals.
If you feel stress or anxiety is too high, there are things you can do to keep things in balance and there are people you can speak to.
Even small changes have impact, it’s not too late to start now.
Sleep well
Aim to sleep and wake at roughly the same times each day. Have screen-free time to unwind before sleep. Avoid alcohol and too much caffeine.
Problems getting to sleep, staying asleep or with fatigue? Try ‘HEAL’:
Heal: Seek support and treatment for physical illness and mental health difficulties
Environment: Get comfortable, noise, temperature, remove or hide distractions, avoid blue-light screens
Attitude: Focus on relaxation rather than sleeping. Write down worries keeping you awake. Keep a sleep diary.
Lifestyle: Resist the urge to nap. Sugar and caffeine late in the day will impede sleep. Alcohol can produce tiredness but it’s poor quality sleep. Exercise in the daytime is helpful, but avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime.
Get organised
Organising your time to strike a balance between work and rest so you can be well and do well.
Creating a schedule
Aim for a realistic plan with some flexibility. Schedules that are too rigid or too ambitious usually fail.
Acknowledge what you wish you could do, then let that go. Make a schedule you can succeed at.
Form a broad plan of what you’ll cover in the coming weeks but only make a detailed timetable for one week. At the end of the week, review how it went and make any changes you need to for the following week.
Here’s a template you might use: Weekly Study Schedule Template (Word)
Start with waking and sleep times, then mealtimes, movement outside and any commitments e.g. tutorials, deadlines, important events.
With the time left, create sessions or blocks for study.
If you find it difficult to predict how long tasks might take then ask someone to help.
Consider the times and places you work best and if you need sameness or variety.
Consider working with others to help motivate you.
Finally, don’t fill every hour of your timetable. Leave some gaps so, when things change or something unexpected pops up, you can adapt.
Focus
Reduce distractions by turning off your phone or switching off notifications, consider some noise-cancelling headphones or ear plugs or listening to instrumental music.
Take a few minutes to breath and ground yourself as you begin work.
We concentrate properly for 30-45 minutes at a time. Take short breaks away from the desk, move around, make a drink, stretch, get some fresh air and then return to work with new focus.
Procrastinating? Try this The Pomodoro® Technique
Eat well
Eating at regular times each day, and having a balanced diet, including fibre and vitamin rich foods will improve mood, performance and sleep.
Slow-release foods help balance blood sugar levels and avoid energy highs and lows e.g. sourdough or multi-grain bread, porridge, nuts, vegetables
Eating three meals and having some snacks available helps with energy and regular sleep patterns.
Drink plenty water.
Avoid stimulants as they impede energy and concentration over time and interfere with sleep e.g. Caffeine, alcohol and drugs.
Enjoy some of the foods and drinks you like in moderation.
Be prepared
From checking your candidate number, to trying on your outfit, small things can make a big difference
Check and keep a note of your candidate number.
If you have Inspira online exams, log in to Inspira and practice using it.
Try on your exam outfit well in advance, check your clothing will be comfortable and meets regulations.
Try the walk to exam schools so you know how long it might take.
Do what works best for you with the journey to the exam and the time after. Some will prefer to talk with friends about the exams or anything but the exams. Some may prefer to walk and talk with a friend or relative on the phone. Some may want to walk quietly or independently.
Prepare for moments of panic – practise grounding and breathing techniques that you could use in the exam should you feel anxious.
Move outdoors
Getting outside at least once a day to exercise and spend time in nature will boost mood, reduce stress, and improve digestion, sleep and brain function.
Time in green spaces and connecting with nature promotes calmness, joy, creativity, and better concentration. It can lower heart rate, blood pressure and boost our mood.
Being outdoors takes us out of our internal world of thought and worry, offering broader perspective and restoring balance.
We can connect with nature through simply noticing what’s around us, rather than rushing by consumed by our thoughts and worries.
Sensory activities like listening to birdsong, noticing scents, touching tree bark and leaves connects us with nature.
We have an abundance of quality green space around us. Here are some suggestions:
Relax and have fun!
Practicing relaxation, breathing and grounding helps to keep stress and anxiety in check.
Stress is the body’s response to threat or pressure and it’s completely natural. It activates us and protects us from perceived harms. Stress can help us to be motivated, to focus and stay on task.
Not enough pressure, we feel lethargic and bored, too much can lead to tension, exhaustion and panic.
Regularly practicing relaxation and breathing techniques alongside helpful ‘self-talk’ helps counteract the physiological and emotional impact of too much stress.
Laughing, feeling love and gratitude, and having fun produces endorphins and oxytocin. These are natural pain relievers, soothing our body’s stress response and the impact of cortisol and adrenaline.
Here are some simple practical techniques to try:
Breathing and Grounding Handout.pdf
Online and self-help resources
Exam Wellbeing
University's information and advice from revision, preparation and practice exams, to wellbeing and psychology strategies
14 Ways to beat exam stress
14 Tips and strategies for managing exams
Take 5 for Exam Panic
Stress and panic explained in an infographic, with practical tips for coping during exams
Stress Management
Stress busters, breathing techniques and audio guides to managing in times of stress
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Simple tips and strategies to support balance in wellbeing and mental health
Student Wellbeing Toolkit
Personalisable stress management plan
Who to contact for support
College Support
You can speak to a JCR or MCR Peer Supporter or Welfare Rep. Overnight we have Assistant Deans on call via the Lodge.
Dean of Welfare
For any welfare concern for yourself or another student.
College Nurse
For mental health concerns, sleep or eating disturbance, anxiety and panic attacks, low mood, depression, suicidal thoughts.
College Doctor
A General Practitioner (GP) based in a community health centre offering in person, telephone and online consultations:
Wider Support
Nightline
Telephone peer support available 8pm-8am, weeks 0-9 for phone, instant message, or skype (T) 01865 270 270
Togetherall
Connect with other students experiencing similar issues through online forums. You can also access advice and self-learning courses. Register with your university email account.
Oxford University Counselling Service
The Service offers free and confidential short-term individual and group support for students experiencing mental health difficulties. Podcasts and self-help resources are also available on the website.
Students Against Depression
A website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.
Oxford Samaritans
If something's troubling you, get in touch by telephone, email or visit to speak to someone face to face, even if you are worried about someone else Call 116 123 (this number is free to call)
Oxford Safe Haven
If you experience mental health crisis, you can get support with Oxford Safe Haven by calling 01865 903 037. A non-clinical space offering crisis support, signposting, safety planning and listening support.