General Examinations

A general examination can be either a digital or a paper-based on-site exam. You will take a digital exam on your own device (laptop or iPad) in Moodle using the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) program or without it. When the SEB program is used, your device will only have access to the Moodle exam area and any materials possibly added there. Detailed instructions for Moodle exams can be found on the page: Digital Examination in Moodle

The dates, exam places, format (digital or paper), and details of the courses to be examined in general examinations can be found in  in Sisu or in the Courses section of the Study Service.

The Exam Services will send a message to those registered for the exam a few days before the exam. Exam instructions will be projected in the exam hall, and the invigilators will also give instructions orally before the exam begins.

Register for the exam in Sisu at least 10 days before the exam event. You cannot participate in the exam event without an approved exam registration. Registration for an examination in Sisu opens no later than 20 days before the examination.

Exception for registering for summer season exams. This does not apply to exams organized by the Open University. Registration for these exams must be done without exception 10 days before the exam date.

• During the summer period from June 11th to August 31st, you must register by May 31st at the latest.
• Participation in general examinations organised in August requires that you have registered for the academic year for the upcoming term before the relevant examination date. Only students registered as attending students can complete the studies.

Always register for a general examination through your primary study plan. Do not register for the course through Sisu's Search function, as your registration will automatically be rejected in Sisu. Instructions for adding a course to your study plan can be found on the page: Sisu instructions: Study plan. You can cancel your exam registration during the registration period. More information on registering for exams can be found under How do I register for courses and exams.

If you are studying as an Open University student, you can find more detailed practical instructions for registration, for example, on the page on the Elective studies in an open university page.

You can register for a maximum of two different exams per exam event. If you register for more, only the first two will be considered. If you need special permission (due to study progress) to take more than two exams, please contact the teachers and justify your need. The teacher will notify the Exam Services of the approval.

Provide the required additional information when registering for the exam. This may include the literature to be examined or  the language of performance. If you have not provided this information, you will not be given the exam questions at the exam event.

If you have the right to individual arrangements, see detailed information under Individual Arrangements in Exams. 

The Exam Services will send a message to those registered for the exam a few days before the exam. Exam instructions will be projected in the exam hall, and the invigilators will also give instructions orally before the exam begins.

• Arrive at the exam well in advance of the announced start time. 
• Your identity will be checked either before the exam begins or when returning the exam answers. 
• You can arrive at the exam hall up to half an hour after the announced start time.

Sit in every other seat in the exam hall. At the seat, you can only have writing instruments (no pencil case), an ID card, a small amount of snacks, and necessary medications. In an digital  exam, you can also have your own computer (without a protective case or darkening screen protector), charger, and mouse. If the use of other aids/materials is allowed, this will be instructed separately. Concept paper is available in the exam hall, which can also be used for drafting in digital exams. During the exam, you can use foam earplugs.

• Outerwear, bags, and other items must be left at the edges of the hall. 
• Mobile phones and other smart devices must be set to silent or turned off. Keeping smart devices at the seat, such as phone in your pocket, is prohibited. 
• If a student has devices or materials that are not allowed, the exam may be rejected.

Follow the instructions given by the invigilators. Do not discuss with other students. Borrowing materials between students is prohibited.

You can start the exam only when the invigilator gives permission. You can leave the exam hall no earlier than 30 minutes after the announced start time of the exam. In an digital exam, your exam time is displayed in the Moodle exam area. In a paper exam, the exam time is monitored by the clock in the hall. The duration of an individual exam may be shorter than the entire event. It is the student's responsibility to adhere to the given exam time.

If you have technical problems, contact your invigilator immediately by raising your hand or take your device and go to the invigilators. During exam, raise you hand, if you want to use the restroom or have questions. No toilet visits during the first half hour.  You cannot leave and return to the exam hall without the invigilator escorting you. 

The invigilators will announce when the exam time is ending. In a paper exam, you must stop writing immediately when the exam time is announced as ended. After a paper exam ends, return all answer sheets to the invigilator. Also return the drafting papers. Ensure you have written your name and exam details on each paper. Detailed instructions for completing a digital exam can be found on the page Digital examinations in Moodle. 

• You must always sign the participant list. The signature is required even if you do not submit an answer.
• We ask you to avoid using strong fragrances in the exam event.
• The use and storage of nicotine products at the exam location are prohibited.

If you need to take an exam somewhere other than at the University of Helsinki,

• You must first check with your faculty/Exam Services to see if it is possible to transfer the exam. 
• If it is possible to take the exam elsewhere, you must book the exam location yourself and pay any associated costs. Such an exam location can be, for example, an educational institution or an embassy. 
• The requirement is that the exam is taken under supervision at the same time as at the University of Helsinki. 
• You must get the organizing party of the transfer exam approved by the Exam Services. 
• If the exam transfer is successful, you must provide the contact details of the person responsible for supervising the exam to the Exam Services/your examiner.

At the University of Helsinki, it is not possible to take exams from other universities, except through an Exam visit.

The examiner grades the exams, and the results are posted within a month of the exam date on the course page or other place announced by the teacher. During summer holidays the grading time can be longer. The grading is done following the course plan. The most common grading scales are from 0 to 5 or passed/not passed. See also: Assessment and grading

Cheating and plagiarism are forbidden at any stage of your studies. Cheating in an examination can be for instance using a smart device, using materials without permission or other dishonest activity. Cheating in an exam leads to disqualification.

Causing disturbance during the examination session, or any other inappropriate behavior is forbidden. The student causing disturbance can be ceased to continue the exam if necessary. Please make sure that your mobile phone, your consumption of snacks, or other activities do not cause disturbance for others participating in the session.

If the session is interrupted due to a fire alarm or other similar disturbance, follow the instructions given by the invigilators. If the length of the disturbance is significant, the session’s length will be extended by the invigilators if possible.

If you have any problems, do not hesitate to ask help from the invigilators. See also: Regulations on Flamma.

• Teaching related regulations and decisions  (Teaching and examinations) (Flamma)
• Regulations (Flamma)
• Cheating and plagiarism (Instructions for teaching)
• Individual arrangements in teaching, learning and examination situations (Instructions for teaching)

• City Centre Exam Services citycentre-exams@helsinki.fi
• Kumpula Exam Services kumpula-exams@helsinki.fi
• Meilahti Exam Services meilahti-exams@helsinki.fi
• Viikki Exam Services viikki-exams@helsinki.fi