Alternate assessment for Semester 1 2020

If you encounter a serious disruption that is outside your control and you believe has impaired your performance, you may apply for Special Consideration.

Examples of a serious disruption may include a:

• power outage
• internet outage
• medical emergency
• evacuation or other emergency.

To apply, you must:

1. Complete the Special Consideration Application form under 'Assessments and results'.
2. Submit the completed application with supporting documentation no later than five University business days after the closing date and time of the assessment item.
3. Your special consideration application form must be submitted with supporting documentation. Examples might include verification from your power or internet service provider, medical certificate, emergency services report or other third-party verification.

Students affected by circumstances occurring prior to commencing their alternate assessment, should apply for a Deferred Assessment using the Deferred Examination process (ensuring appropriate supporting documentation is provided) and should not attempt the assessment item.

Students cannot claim Special Consideration for circumstances or conditions that are the consequences of their own actions or inaction.  If you would like further advice, please contact your support team.

If your internet drops out during your exam, you can navigate back into your exam and continue with the exam from your last saved response. In most instances clicking the refresh button on your browser will re-load your exam.

If you cannot re-enter your exam immediately, you must contact USQ for support within 15 minutes of losing access to your online exam, using the contact information below.

A member of the support team will verify your drop out and allow you access back into your exam. The questions you already answered will be saved and you will continue from your first attempt.

Students will be granted a second attempt but will not be granted multiple additional attempts.

Ensure you have carefully reviewed all the Technical FAQs below prior to taking your online exams to assist in mitigating issues as far as possible.

24/7 support during the Alternate Assessment period

24/7 support is available for students completing their alternate assessment.

Urgent enquiries:

Ph: +61 7 4631 2285

Ph: 1800 007 252 (within Australia only)

Other enquiries:

For general or non-urgent queries please phone during business hours or email assessment.support@usq.edu.au and one of our team will be with you as soon as possible.

USQ does recommend some minimum hardware and software requirements for students.

You will need a computer/laptop and internet connection to access and submit your assessment in your StudyDesk courses.

Clearing your cache, cookies and internet history may improve the performance of your internet browser.

If you are experiencing any difficulties with your system prior to commencing your alternate assessment, it is recommended to clear the cache on your browser.

Find out how to clear your cache for:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Internet Explorer.

Prior to completing your alternate assessment:

1. You should know what StudyDesk is, and how to navigate it.
2. A link to your StudyDesk can be found within UConnect, this is where you will access your alternate assessment.
3. Prior to completing your alternate assessment, check USQ’s recommended configuration settings for your computer.

You can access your Online Exams, Take Home Exams, and Assignments in your StudyDesk courses.

Before you start, it is recommended that you log out of your StudyDesk on all other devices prior to starting your assessment (mobile phone, tablet, other computers).

1. Login to UConnect > access the relevant StudyDesk course on your preferred device (e.g. Computer or Laptop).
2. Go to the Navigation menu on the left, and click on ‘Assessment’.
3. Locate your assessment item/s and click the relevant assessment item link.
4. Carefully read the instructions provided.
5. Commence your assessment item.
6. Complete/Submit your assessment within the set time frames.

If you have any problems accessing your assessment item phone your SRO for support Ph: +61 7 4631 2285 or  Ph: 1800 007 252 (within Australia only).

If you are experiencing slow internet, the below may assist in improving the speed within your home.

Having other household members using streaming or gaming services while you are completing online study, may impact your experience.

Check if other family/household members are using the internet prior to taking your assessment

(Note: This could be hard connected by Ethernet cable OR by Wi-Fi)

• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Smart phones
• Smart televisions
• Tablets
• Gaming consoles
• Google Home mini or other smart speaker

Ask if they can switch to using their mobile data or wait until after you have completed your exam.

Check if you are running multiple programs needing internet connection

Check all of your devices and close all other running programs, for example email, music streaming etc.

• If other applications/programs are needed, perhaps consider if they all need to be open especially ones that are computer intensive

Other things to consider

Check your modem is turned on, and is connected successfully to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

• Do not wait until the last minute to submit your assignment or start the online exam.  Plan for possible technical issues, to allow you time to find and fix the issue and get back online.
• If you have problems connecting to the internet, check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) outages page.

Examples:

• https://outages.telstra.com.au/

• https://www.nbnco.com.au/support/network-status

• To find the best setup for Wi-Fi and ethernet cabling for your home network, consult your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for further advice on in-home optimisation.

Note: It is your responsibility to know how to check and use your modem.  If you need additional support to understand your modem prior to taking your assessment, you will need to contact your ISP support staff.

You can access any printed or written materials and calculator whilst completing your assessment.

You should check on your StudyDesk for each course, for specific instructions. Use of online textbooks, StudyDesk materials and other resources may also be required/recommended for your course.

If you require further advice on what resources you need to access during your exam, contact your course examiner prior to commencing your exam.

Finally, you should be aware of USQ’s expectations for academic integrity as they apply to this assessment.

Online Exams in StudyDesk have an auto save function built in and saves every 2 minutes.

There is no ‘Save’ button within the online exam. Questions are marked as ‘saved’ once you navigate to the next page.

Yes. Our support team will be available during all assessment opening and closing windows, to provide assistance for any urgent technical issues you experience.

You are required to phone within 15 minutes of experiencing technical issues or dropouts during your online exam.

24/7 support during the Alternate Assessment period

24/7 support is available for students completing their alternate assessment.

Urgent enquiries:

Ph: +61 7 4631 2285

Ph: 1800 007 252 (within Australia only)

Other enquiries:

For general or non-urgent queries please phone during business hours or email assessment.support@usq.edu.au and one of our team will be with you as soon as possible.

You must report technical issues to the university within 15 minutes of their occurrence when taking your online exams.

If you have been unable to access and complete your online exam at all during the 36 hour time frame provided, will need to contact your faculty urgently for advice.

Confirmation from your Power or Internet or service provider would be required if a severe outage occurred on your grid or network.

Ensure you complete your online exam well within the closing date and time.  This will allow you time to resolve any issues before the timeframe closes.  Be sure to contact the University if you require assistance.

Misinterpretation of the details published on the Alternate Assessment Schedule will not be considered as grounds for granting a deferred assessment.

24/7 support during the Alternate Assessment period

24/7 support is available for students completing their alternate assessment.

Urgent enquiries:

Ph: +61 7 4631 2285

Ph: 1800 007 252 (within Australia only)

Other enquiries:

For general or non-urgent queries please phone during business hours or email assessment.support@usq.edu.au and one of our team will be with you as soon as possible.

As you would in a face-to-face exam, you can query the content of your alternate assessment.

Please phone the university immediately if you feel the need to ask a question relating to your exam so our support team can provide you with further guidance.

24/7 support during the Alternate Assessment period

24/7 support is available for students completing their alternate assessment.

Urgent enquiries:

Ph: +61 7 4631 2285

Ph: 1800 007 252 (within Australia only)

Other enquiries:

For general or non-urgent queries please phone during business hours or email assessment.support@usq.edu.au and one of our team will be with you as soon as possible.

Your Alternate Assessment Schedule details the type of assessment you have been set for each of your courses and the timeframes in which your assessment must be completed and submitted.

To access your Alternate Assessment Schedule:

1. Log into UConnect.
2. Select 'Student Centre'.
3. Select the 'Exam' tile.
4. Select the 'Alternate Assessment Schedule' menu item.
5. Select each course to view specific instructions relating to the type of assessment you have been assigned.
6. Use the scroll bar located on the right of the screen to move down the page to view all details.

If you have any questions, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

No, you do not need to travel to your exam centre or a campus for your end of semester assessment for Semester 1, 2020.

The alternate forms of assessment outlined in your Alternate Assessment Schedule and on your StudyDesk do not require your physical attendance at a campus or examination centre.  

Due to COVID -19 and the Government’s social distancing restrictions, all face-to-face (paper based) exams have been cancelled. You can complete your alternate assessment from home.

Be sure to check your course StudyDesk for details on how to access and submit each of your assessment items.

No. This semester students are not required to take paper-based examinations at an exam centre or campus.

For Semester 1 2020, your examination timetable has been replaced by your official Alternate Assessment Schedule.

Your Alternate Assessment Schedule will contain details of the type of assessment you have been set for each of your courses and the timeframes in which your assessment must be completed and submitted.

If you have any questions, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

Semester 1 2020 paper exams have been replaced with the following assessment types:

1. Online Exam
2. Take Home Exam
3. Assignment

The type of assessment has been selected and set within your course by your Course Examiner.

You must check your Alternate Assessment Schedule and course StudyDesk for the full details of your assessment item/s.

If you have any questions, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

Please check your Alternate Assessment Schedule and your StudyDesk for details specific to each course and type of assessment.

Once an online exam closes, you will no longer be able to access it.  Take Home Exams and Assignments cannot be submitted late and extensions will not be granted.

If you are unsure about the scheduling of your assessment items, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

Online Exams and Take Home Exams

The opening date and opening time showing for each of your courses, indicates the time your Online Exam will open on StudyDesk, or when your Take Home Exam can be downloaded. These assessments will be available for 36 hours.

The closing date and closing time showing for each of your courses, indicates the time your Online Exam will close on StudyDesk, or when your Take Home Exam must be submitted by.

Please remember all times are shown in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and remember to give yourself plenty of time to complete and submit your assessment before the closing date and closing time shown.

Be sure to:

1. Check the duration of your Online Exam or Take Home Exam.
2. Complete the assessment item at a time that works for you within the 36 hour window.
3. Complete and submit the assessment by the closing date and time shown. No time extensions will be given.

Assignments

For courses using an Assignment, you will see only your due date and due time.  Check your StudyDesk for further details on how to access and submit your assignment. 

If you have any questions, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

If you have been granted a supplementary or deferred exam from a previous semester, this has now been replaced with alternate assessment. Assessment details are now available on your Alternate Assessment Schedule.

Alternatively, please contact your course examiner if you are at all unsure of the arrangements for your supplementary or deferred exams.

Please contact your Student Relationship Officer if you need assistance to access the current, or previous semester’s StudyDesk. This is where you will need to access and submit your assessment item/s.

This will depend on the types of assessment you have been assigned in your course/s, and the types of adjustments that have been approved on your learning support plan.

The Student Equity Team, are available to discuss the services and support you will be able to access when completing your alternate assessment.

USQ is flexible in our delivery of assessment methods for students with disabilities, and we realise that each student’s needs will be different depending on the format of your relevant assessment items.

The Student Equity Team, are available to discuss what services and support are available and will negotiate on your behalf to achieve a reasonable offer of accommodations.

Your course specification and StudyDesk will outline the items you are permitted to access.

Students are responsible for providing their own permitted items. Ensure you have all required items before you start your assessment.

If you are unable to complete your assessment within the specified time frames you may apply for a deferred assessment. If your assessment item is already deferred or supplementary from a previous semester, you are unable to defer again.

To defer an assessment scheduled within the Alternative Assessment Schedule you will need to follow the Deferred Examination process and provide evidence to support your application.

You will have ten University Business days to submit your application. For Online Exams and Take Home Exams, this will be from the closing date shown on your assessment schedule.  For assignments this will be from the due date shown on your assessment schedule.

If you have questions, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

If you are unable to complete your assessment due to being unwell, you may apply for a deferred assessment. If your assessment item is already deferred or supplementary from a previous semester, you are unable to defer again.

To defer an assessment scheduled within the Alternative Assessment Schedule you will need to follow the Deferred Examination process and provide evidence to support your application.

If you choose to undertake your assessment whilst you are unwell, you will not be eligible to apply for special consideration. Once you have started an assessment item, you will not be eligible to apply for deferred assessment.

If you need support, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to help on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.

Misinterpretation of the information provided on the Alternate Assessment Schedule will not be considered as grounds for granting a deferred assessment.

If you have questions, the iconnect team and your Student Relationship Officers are here to support you on Live Chat and Zoom Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm, Fridays 8am – 5pm and from 12pm – 5pm on weekends.