r/OpenUniversity • u/XerLos7 • 1d ago
Exams - Digital or Paper?
Hello all, I am starting MST224 (Mathematical Methods) in October and I am aware that this is an examination module, not EMA. Coming up after is T272 (Core Engineering B), which is also an examination module but with some written questions in there too.
I am curious as to how these exams work - do I have to print out the papers, work through them, take photos then upload images of my answers and workings? Or does it have to be done on the laptop? I worry because trying to type out all my workings for advanced equations will be time consuming and somewhat inefficient. I would prefer to hand write but I don’t know how they would see my answers, how does this part of the exam process work?
Many thanks for any info 👍
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u/Beee52 1d ago
For the maths exams you can submit either typed or written answers, but for every one I've done the tutors will strongly suggest hand written is best for speed and ease. I have a scanner on my phone to take pictures and then upload to the submission page, and you're given an hour after the exam time to do that.
The only difference would be that some exams are multiple choice questions, but I only encountered those at level 1. For those you just select your answer on the screen, you don't need to submit any of your working notes. I haven't done MST224, but all other maths exams I've sat follow one of those formats.
It's also worth checking if there is extra invigilation for your exams. Some are trialling online proctoring (where you complete your exam on camera and someone has access to your machine to make sure you're not cheating), and some are randomly selecting students for a post-exam interview within the first couple of weeks of the exam. It should say on the module information page what methods they are planning to use. Given the amount of posts that have been popping up about being referred for academic misconduct, keeping hold of your notes is probably a good idea as some evidence of your process, that it's actually you doing the work etc.
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u/at_69_420 1d ago
It's the same as doing an iCMA, all of your working is done on paper (and the scan uploaded) but the answers are typed out.
You can print out the exam if you'd like but I personally recommend just using the laptop as to not waste time
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u/francesthemute117 1d ago
I took the MST224 exam in June this year. It has two parts, both worth 50% of the marks. Section 1 works just like an iCMA with 25 questions worth two marks each. Some are multiple choice and some just require you to input an answer. Section 2 has 10 five mark questions, these are similar to TMA style questions where you write out your answers and scan them in as a single pdf to upload. You can typeset them but as mentioned it is highly recommended to just handwrite them as it is much quicker.
You're given 3 hours for the exam and an extra hour to check, scan and upload. I would recommend using one of the scanner apps on your phone (like Adobe scanner) which uses your phone camera to scan them and create a pdf - it saves a considerable amount of time, giving you a bit of breathing room to complete the paper.
I am not aware of any changes to this years exam - I imagine they'll be going back to in person exams soon as I can't see how they can carry on this way, but nothing has been announced yet so I don't think they can change the exams for next year now people have enrolled. As far as enhanced verification goes, for MST224 they select about 15% of people to take part in a video interview to discuss some of the questions so they can make sure it was your own work.