Please note that the information on this page pertains to the academic year 2019-20.
Modified Assessment: University and Faculty Announcements
Message from the Director of Taught Postgraduate Education 31.05.2020: Examination reminders
Message from the Director of Taught Postgraduate Education 15.05.2020: Examination Code of Conduct
Message from the Director of Taught Postgraduate Education 06.05.2020: Examination timetable
Message from the Chair of Part III Examiners 05.05.2020: Submission of essays
Message from the Chair of Part III Examiners 24.04.2020: Choice of papers
Message from the Chair of the Faculty Board 31.03.2020: Modified assessment Easter Term 2020
Modified Assessment: Frequently Asked Questions
Timing of examinations and examination choices
Principles of the pass/fail examination
Conduct of the pass/fail examination
Timing of examinations and examination choices
Q: When will the examination timetable for the pass/fail examination be confirmed? (Updated 7th and 15th May 2020)
A: The timetable for the Part III Easter term pass/fail examination is now confirmed and available at https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/files/online_assessments_easter_term_2020_final.pdf. A more readable version, produced by the Faculty, can be downloaded at https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/part-iii/files/examtimetable/current.pdf. You should also be able to view your exam timetable via the CamSIS self-service at https://www.camsis.cam.ac.uk.
As previously announced, while all Part III exam papers will be available for a 24-hour period for candidates to download, candidates are expected to upload their answers within 2/3 hours (plus specified administrative time) of the initial paper download for a 2/3 unit examination, respectively. Download and upload times will be monitored.
Previous A: (Dated 24th April 2020) It is anticipated that the individual pass/fail papers will take place on days close to those given in the previously published 2019-2020 examination timetable, but this is subject to external constraints and ongoing negotiation with the University. The Faculty hopes to be able to confirm the timetable by the end of the first week of May. Students will be emailed as soon as the timetable has been finalised.
Q: What is the deadline for declaring the choice of examination papers for the pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: Candidates will need to declare their choice of examination papers by noon on Thursday, 30th April. They will also need to declare by this deadline whether or not they intend to submit an essay. An online form for this purpose will be made available shortly. Candidates need to discuss their choice of examination papers with their Director of Studies prior to submitting the form.
Q: When is the classed exam expected to take place? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: The classed examination will be a standard, written examination and will take place in Cambridge (though if we can offer it at some international venues also, we will). The University will evidently need to be fully operational again (possibly for some time) before such an examination can take place. In the current circumstances it is impossible to predict when this might be. The Faculty understands that candidates will require plenty of notice to prepare and make arrangements for sitting such an examination.
Q: When will candidates be expected to choose examination papers for the classed exam? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: In view of the fact that the timing of the classed exam cannot be predicted at this time, no date has been fixed. The Faculty understands that candidates will require plenty of notice to prepare and make arrangements for sitting such an examination, and that this must include sufficient time for candidates to make an informed decision about their choice of examination papers.
Candidates will need to let the Faculty know by June whether or not they intend to sit the classed exam, and a form for this purpose will be circulated nearer the time. There is no jeopardy in declaring an intention to sit the classed examination at that point: candidates may change their mind up to the point at which they submit their choice of examination papers for the classed examination.
Q: Is there a chance that the University might reopen and the online summer assessment will be abandoned? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: No. The University has stated that no face-to-face teaching and no examinations will take place in Cambridge in the Easter term.
Q: What is the second assessment period, and when will it be? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: The University has stated that students who are unable to participate in the pass/fail assessment in May/June for reasons such as ill health, significant caring commitments, technical difficulties or similar disruption, will be given an opportunity to take the same method of assessment in a second assessment period when the University is back in full operation. Students will be permitted to self-certify illness, caring commitments and similar disruptions.
At present the University has not confirmed when the second assessment period will take place, although it is unlikely to be before September. Assessments in the first and the second period are carried out using online exams of identical form.
Q: Do students who already know that they will be unable to sit the pass/fail examination in the first assessment period need to declare their choice of examination papers by noon on 30th April? (Added 27th April 2020)
A: Yes. Students who are unable to participate in the pass/fail assessment in May/June for reasons such as ill health, significant caring commitments, technical difficulties or similar disruption can sit in the second assessment period (see below), but must make their paper choices by noon on 30th April.
A: Yes. Students who are unable to participate in the pass/fail assessment in May/June for reasons such as ill health, significant caring commitments, technical difficulties or similar disruption can sit in the second assessment period (see below), but must make their paper choices by noon on 30th April.
Q: If a student chooses papers for the first assessment period and finds that, for health or other serious reasons, they are unable to sit in the first assessment period, are they committed to the same paper choices for the second assessment period? (Added 27th April 2020)
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
Essay
Q: Do students have to apply for the extension to the essay deadline to 14th May? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: No. The submission deadline has been moved to noon on Thursday 14th May for all students. Any extension of this new submission deadline must be requested by the candidate’s Director of Studies from the Director of Taught Postgraduate Education (director-tpe@maths.cam.ac.uk) according to the procedure set out on page iii of the Essay Booklet 2019-20.
Q: Can the essay count towards the Merit/Distinction exam? If so, could the deadline for such an essay be later than 14th May? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: The essay counts towards both the pass/fail examination and the later, classed examination. There is a single deadline for submission, which is noon on Thursday 14th May.
Q: Is it possible to submit an essay for the classed exam by 14th May but not have it count towards the pass/fail exam? (Added 27th April 2020)
A: No. The essay, if submitted, counts towards both the pass/fail examination and the later, classed examination. There is a single deadline for submission, which is noon on Thursday 14th May.
A: No. The essay, if submitted, counts towards both the pass/fail examination and the later, classed examination. There is a single deadline for submission, which is noon on Thursday 14th May.
Principles of the pass/fail examination
Q: Is it possible to submit more than 13 units for the pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to submit fewer than 11 units for the pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: In principle, yes. However, those aiming to pass are strongly encouraged to submit at least 11 units for examination.
Q: How will the essay contribute to the pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: The essay will count towards the pass/fail examination in place of one 3-unit paper.
Q: How will the strike-affected courses contribute to the pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: The two courses significantly affected by strike action last term, Complex Manifolds and Introduction to Geometric Measure Theory, will be reduced to 2 units in line with the number of lectures given. However, in view of the fact that the total number of units candidates are expected to submit has been reduced for the pass/fail examination, no further adjustment will be made (i.e. candidates choosing to be examined on one or both of these courses will also be expected to submit 11-13 units for the pass/fail examination).
Q: What determines whether a candidate passes or fails? (Added 25th April 2020)
A: The Part III examiners have been advised by the Faculty Board to compute the Optimum Mark (as described in Appendix III of the Part III Handbook) with 11 units in place of 17, and 13 in place of 19, as the basis for pass/fail classification. As is the case in a normal Part III examination, candidates near the pass/fail borderline are considered individually and very carefully; decisions are not made by applying a simple formula.
Q: Will the pass/fail examination be easier than a standard Part III examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: Questions on the pass/fail exam will be designed to be appreciably more straightforward than standard Part III questions. In particular, they will not contain elements designed to distinguish between candidates performing at the higher end of the standard classing examination. The Faculty anticipates that the majority of candidates will find themselves under substantially reduced time pressure compared to a standard Part III examination, and is committed to ensuring that it will be no harder to pass the online exams than it is to pass the normal Part III exams.
Q: The Part III Handbook states an Optimum Mark of at least 30% as the approximate criterion for a Pass. What is the approximate percentage mark required for a pass in the pass/fail examination? (Added 21st May 2020)
A: Since questions on the pass/fail exam are designed to be appreciably more straightforward than standard Part III questions, the percentage mark required for a pass will not be the same as in a standard Part III examination. Since the exam format is new, the precise scaled percentage that will determine a pass cannot be specified in advance.
A broad qualitative description for a pass is that successful candidates will have demonstrated the ability to absorb and understand difficult material but there may remain gaps in their understanding and they may not always be able to apply their knowledge successfully.
It is anticipated that this qualitative description will be interpreted by the examiners in a way that, in their academic judgement, and making any allowances for the different nature of this year’s assessment, is consistent with the Faculty Board's recommendation that the standard required for a pass should be no greater than normal.
Q: Will candidates have to offer all papers they sat for the pass/fail examination for the later, classed examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: No. The choice of examination papers for the pass/fail examination papers is independent of that for the later, classed examination, with the exception of the essay paper: an essay submitted by noon on 14th May will automatically count towards the classed examination, should the candidate choose to sit it.
Q: The Part III Handbook says that the examiners may take into account the fact that the students taking fewer than 12 units have covered a smaller range of courses when deciding to pass a student. Will this rule of thumb continue to apply in this pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: Offering 11 units (as opposed to 12 or 13) will not put students at a disadvantage in the May/June pass/fail examination. Those aiming to pass are strongly encouraged to submit at least 11 units for examination.
Q: Will a candidate be able to retake the pass/fail exam in the second assessment period if they failed the May/June examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: All students are expected to sit exams in the first assessment period if they are able to. Students who are unable to participate in the pass/fail assessment in May/June for reasons such as ill health, significant caring commitments, technical difficulties or similar disruption may self-certify and can sit in the second assessment period instead. Students cannot take the online exams twice (the second assessment is not a resit).
Q: Will candidates who would ordinarily receive extra time for examinations still receive that extra time for the pass/fail examination? (Updated 14th May 2020)
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
The University has published advice on remote assessment for disabled students at https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/assessment-0. This includes guidance on setting up a low distraction study/assessment space, which may be helpful to all students.
Previous A: (Dated 27th April 2020) Yes.
Q: What about candidates with special examination arrangements? (Updated 14th May 2020)
A: The University has stated that it anticipates that the 'the nature of the modified assessments will be inclusive, meaning that in many cases the examination access adjustments (such as extra time, rest breaks or use of a computer) will naturally apply. Once a student has received their assessment plan and timetable, they should discuss the need for any new examination access adjustment, or adjustments to existing arrangements, with their College.'
A: The University has stated that it anticipates that the 'the nature of the modified assessments will be inclusive, meaning that in many cases the examination access adjustments (such as extra time, rest breaks or use of a computer) will naturally apply. Once a student has received their assessment plan and timetable, they should discuss the need for any new examination access adjustment, or adjustments to existing arrangements, with their College.'
The University has published advice on remote assessment for disabled students at https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/assessment-0. This includes guidance on setting up a low distraction study/assessment space, which may be helpful to all students.
Previous A: (Dated 27th April 2020) The University has stated that it anticipates that the 'the nature of the modified assessments will be inclusive, meaning that in many cases the examination access adjustments (such as extra time, rest breaks or use of a computer) will naturally apply. Once a student has received their assessment plan and timetable, they should discuss the need for any new examination access adjustment, or adjustments to existing arrangements, with their College.'
Q: What action should a student take who is unable to sit the pass/fail examination in May/June? (Added 27th April 2020)
A:A student who is unable to participate in the first assessment for reasons such as ill health, significant caring commitments, technical difficulties or similar disruption, will need to inform their College, specifying the reasons why they are unable to go ahead with the exam in the first assessment period. The College will then inform the Faculty via the Student Registry. It would help the Faculty if a student who decides to withdraw from the first assessment could in addition directly inform the Undergraduate Office at undergrad-office@maths.cam.ac.uk.
Q: What will appear on the student transcript following the pass/fail examination? In particular, will it show the marks obtained on each paper, and will it show an overall percentage mark in addition to a pass/fail classification? (Updated 18th June 2020)
A: After extensive discussions with the University and within the Faculty, taking into account feedback we have received from students over the past two months, it has been decided that transcripts will be handled as follows.
A: After extensive discussions with the University and within the Faculty, taking into account feedback we have received from students over the past two months, it has been decided that transcripts will be handled as follows.
The University transcript will show an overall pass/fail for the examination, and a list of the papers the student sat for the pass/fail examination. In view of the nature of the examination, it will not show the marks obtained on the individual papers, nor will it show an overall percentage mark for the examination.
Alongside the University transcript students will be provided with a formal Faculty statement which will, in addition to the overall pass/fail classification, show the marks obtained on each paper as well as an overall percentage mark. It will also contain contextual information on the nature of the examination this year. The Faculty statement will be emailed to students within a couple of days of results being released.
The University has confirmed that the University transcripts of those students who choose to sit the later, standard examination will be updated subsequent to that examination.
Previous A: (Dated 12th June 2020) This is currently under review. Further information will be available in due course.
Previous A: (Dated 19th May 2020) The Faculty anticipates that the transcript following the pass/fail examination will show the marks obtained on each paper as well as an overall percentage mark in addition to the pass/fail outcome, but this is yet to be finalised.
Conduct of the pass/fail examination
Q: How do I access my online exmaination? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: The University has set up new ‘courses’ on its Moodle site to host the online assessments. A link to the Moodle course for each examination paper will be made available on the Part III Academic Support Moodle at https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=144111 in the section "Part III Assessment 2019-20" (available from noon on Monday, 25th May). If you are unable to access the Part III Academic Support Moodle pages, as a matter of urgency, you must email undergrad-office@maths.cam.ac.uk.
The link to the Moodle course for a given examination paper will be available at the latest 72 hours (i.e. 3 days) before the start of the examination window. You must use the link corresponding to the course you are registered on. The links will be given as follows:
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| MMath (Part III Mathematical Tripos) | MAT3 |
| MASt Mathematics | MAMA |
| MSci Astrophysics (Part III NST Astrophysics) | NST3AS |
| MASt Astrophysics | MAAS |
| MSci Physics (Part III NST Physics) | NST3PHY |
| MASt Physics | MAPY |
| MPhil Finance | MGM3 |
Note that these codes are for administrative purposes only. The examination papers presented under each link are identical.
You may also access the Moodle course for each examination paper directly via your Moodle Dashboard, once it is available.
Candidates will be able to access the Moodle course for an examination paper from 09:00 BST three days before their assessment is due to begin. You are strongly advised to check in advance of each examination that you have access to the relevant Moodle course. Students who are unable to access the Moodle course for an examination they expect to be sitting should contact the Moodle Help Desk at moodlehelp@uis.cam.ac.uk.
Q: I am expected to sit two exam papers in the same 24-hour period. Can I download them both at the same time and work on them simultaneously? (Added 12th May 2020)
A: You should not attempt two papers simultaneously. Paper download and answer upload times are recorded separately for each paper. Candidates must adhere to the Faculty’s time limit (2 hours for a 2-unit examination, 3 hours for a 3-unit examination) for each paper. Therefore candidates should take papers sequentially. Candidates may choose the order in which they take any two such papers and the precise timing for each paper (within the 24h-window specified on the examination timetable).
A: You should not attempt two papers simultaneously. Paper download and answer upload times are recorded separately for each paper. Candidates must adhere to the Faculty’s time limit (2 hours for a 2-unit examination, 3 hours for a 3-unit examination) for each paper. Therefore candidates should take papers sequentially. Candidates may choose the order in which they take any two such papers and the precise timing for each paper (within the 24h-window specified on the examination timetable).
Q: Where can I find the rubrics of the individual examination papers? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: The rubric for each paper is now available at https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/part-iii/part-iii-mathematical-tripos-examination-rubrics-2020. As previously stated, all examination papers for 2/3-unit lecture courses will consist of 2/3 questions, respectively. Candidates will be asked to attempt all questions on a paper, and all questions on each paper carry equal weight with the one exception of Paper 207, Statistics in Medical Practice (where the three questions are weighted 20:30:20).
Q: What does it mean for the pass/fail exams to be open book? (Added 12th May 2020)
A: All Easter term Part III examinations will be ‘open book’ in the sense that candidates are permitted to consult
A: All Easter term Part III examinations will be ‘open book’ in the sense that candidates are permitted to consult
- their own notes from lectures and examples classes, and any revision notes they have written themselves;
- any materials provided directly by the lecturer, which includes any lecture notes, handouts and examples sheets but excludes any additional materials (books, online notes) recommended in the course description.
Other than consulting these materials, candidates must use only the items that they would normally be allowed in the examination hall: in particular, candidates must not
- receive help from any other person during the period the examination paper is online;
- provide help to any other candidate during the period the examination paper is online;
- use the internet during the examination for any purpose other than downloading the examination paper and uploading their answers from/to Moodle;
- use any software or electronic device during the examination for any purpose other than viewing the examination paper, consulting the permitted materials above, and scanning and uploading their answers;
- do anything else that would not be permitted in a normal invigilated examination, or could reasonably be interpreted as academic misconduct, i.e. gaining or attempting to gain, or helping others to gain or attempt to gain, an unfair academic advantage in formal University assessment.
Q: Can I consult online lecture notes during the examination? (Added 15th May 2020)
A: No. During the examination candidates must not use the internet for any purpose other than downloading the examination paper and uploading their answers from/to Moodle. Candidates may consult their own notes from lectures and examples classes, and any revision notes they have written themselves, as well as any materials provided directly by the lecturer. If any of these materials were provided or stored online, they must be downloaded prior to the start of the examination.
A: No. During the examination candidates must not use the internet for any purpose other than downloading the examination paper and uploading their answers from/to Moodle. Candidates may consult their own notes from lectures and examples classes, and any revision notes they have written themselves, as well as any materials provided directly by the lecturer. If any of these materials were provided or stored online, they must be downloaded prior to the start of the examination.
Q: Am I allowed to consult typed solutions to example sheet questions during the examination if they were provided by an examples class instructor (not the course lecturer)? (Added 19th May 2020)
A: According to the Code of Conduct for Part III Online Examinations, candidates are only allowed to consult
- their own notes from lectures and examples classes, and any revision notes they have written themselves;
- any materials provided directly by the lecturer, which includes any lecture notes, handouts and examples sheets but excludes any additional materials (books, online notes) recommended in the course description.
This means that model solutions to examples sheets and similar materials distributed by examples class instructors are not permissible, unless they have been expressly authorised by the course lecturer.
Students are kindly asked to refrain from contacting lecturers in this regard. Lecturers who wish such materials to be available to students during the examination must ensure that these are available to all students taking the examination, and will inform students of any additional permitted materials in writing by the end of Friday, 22nd May.
Q: How much administrative time will be available for each paper? (Added 14th May 2020)
A: For each Part III examination, 30 minutes of administrative time will be allowed solely for downloading the examination paper, scanning, and uploading the answers to Moodle; this administrative time is not part of the time allowed for completion of the paper.
A: For each Part III examination, 30 minutes of administrative time will be allowed solely for downloading the examination paper, scanning, and uploading the answers to Moodle; this administrative time is not part of the time allowed for completion of the paper.
Q: How will the University check that candidates have adhered to the time limits specified for each examination paper? (Added 15th May 2020)
A: Download and upload times will be monitored by the University. Candidates will be required to sign a Code of Conduct with each examination paper confirming that they have complied with the specified time limits for each paper (with any examination access adjustments).
Non-compliance with the code will be considered academic misconduct, defined by the University as `gaining or attempting to gain, or helping others to gain or attempt to gain, an unfair academic advantage in formal University assessment, or any activity likely to undermine the integrity essential to scholarship and research’ (see Chapter II, Section 20 of the Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge at http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/2019/chapter02-section20.html).
Q: Can I type my answers to examination questions instead of handwriting and scanning them? (Added 12th May 2020)
A: No. Candidates will be required to submit handwritten answers unless they have an exam access adjustment approved by the Student Registry. The University has set up a Moodle course for candidates to practice the submission of handwritten and scanned answers, which can be accessed at https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=182441.
A: No. Candidates will be required to submit handwritten answers unless they have an exam access adjustment approved by the Student Registry. The University has set up a Moodle course for candidates to practice the submission of handwritten and scanned answers, which can be accessed at https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=182441.
Q: Can I submit a PDF produced by writing on a tablet? (Added 15th May 2020)
A: No. Candidates are required to handwrite their answers on paper and submit a scan.
Q: I don’t have access to a scanner. Does a scan produced on a smartphone suffice? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: Yes. The University has set up a 'Moodle Practice Course for Submitting Handwritten Scripts’ at https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=182441, for which you can self-enrol. It includes advice on scanning apps for each of the most common smartphone operating systems. You are strongly encouraged to practice scanning, renaming files and uploading before the start of the examination period.
Q: Do I need to write my answers on any special kind of paper? What writing implements are allowed? (Updated 25th May 2020)
A: Candidates are required to submit handwritten and scanned answers. Candidates should choose paper and writing implements that maximise the legibility of their scanned answers. It is recommended that candidates write on white (blank or ruled) A4 or US-letter paper in black or blue ink only. Candidates are requested to leave a 2.5 cm margin down the left-hand side of each page for the Assessor to record marks.
Previous A: (Added 15th May 2020) Candidates are required to submit handwritten and scanned answers. Candidates should choose paper and writing implements that maximise the legibility of their scanned answers. It is recommended that candidates write on white (blank or ruled) A4 or US-letter paper in black or blue ink only.
Q: Do I need to upload my answers separately for each question on the exam paper? (Added 12th May 2020)
A: No. Candidates in Part III will be required to submit a single PDF file per examination paper. The PDF file must be a scan of the candidate’s handwritten answers unless they have an exam access adjustment approved by the Student Registry. Candidates will be required to write their Blind Grading ID in the top right-hand corner of every page of their script; the candidate’s name or their CRSid must not appear anywhere on the script. The University has set up a Moodle course for candidates to practice the submission of handwritten and scanned answers, which can be accessed at https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=182441.
A: No. Candidates in Part III will be required to submit a single PDF file per examination paper. The PDF file must be a scan of the candidate’s handwritten answers unless they have an exam access adjustment approved by the Student Registry. Candidates will be required to write their Blind Grading ID in the top right-hand corner of every page of their script; the candidate’s name or their CRSid must not appear anywhere on the script. The University has set up a Moodle course for candidates to practice the submission of handwritten and scanned answers, which can be accessed at https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=182441.
Q: What should I do with my written answers after I have finished the examination and uploaded a scan to the Moodle course for the given examination? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: You must retain your paper scripts until after your examination results have been released, as you may be asked to resubmit your work in case there are issues with the quality of your scanned answers.
A: You must retain your paper scripts until after your examination results have been released, as you may be asked to resubmit your work in case there are issues with the quality of your scanned answers.
Q: What should I do if I have a question during the exam, or think I have spotted an error on the examination paper? (Added 15th May 2020)
A: The University has decided that there will be no facility, via Moodle or otherwise, for answering questions or communicating errors on papers to students once the examination window has opened. If an error within a question is identified, the Part III Examiners will exercise the appropriate discretion during marking with due regard to consistency and fairness to all candidates. Students must not attempt to contact the Part III Examiners, the lecturer or their DoS during the assessment, even if they believe there to be an error in the question paper.
Candidates in Part III Mathematics who believe there to be a significant error or ambiguity in the question are advised to draw the Examiners' attention to it by making a short note on their script as part of their answer. They should then carry on with the rest of the question, or the rest of the paper, to the best of their ability. They are further advised to notify their College Tutor and their Director of Studies of their concern once that assessment is complete.
Students will be able to raise a request for an examination review under the University’s standard process, details of which can be found at https://www.studentcomplaints.admin.cam.ac.uk/examination-reviews.
A: The University has decided that there will be no facility, via Moodle or otherwise, for answering questions or communicating errors on papers to students once the examination window has opened. If an error within a question is identified, the Part III Examiners will exercise the appropriate discretion during marking with due regard to consistency and fairness to all candidates. Students must not attempt to contact the Part III Examiners, the lecturer or their DoS during the assessment, even if they believe there to be an error in the question paper.
Candidates in Part III Mathematics who believe there to be a significant error or ambiguity in the question are advised to draw the Examiners' attention to it by making a short note on their script as part of their answer. They should then carry on with the rest of the question, or the rest of the paper, to the best of their ability. They are further advised to notify their College Tutor and their Director of Studies of their concern once that assessment is complete.
Students will be able to raise a request for an examination review under the University’s standard process, details of which can be found at https://www.studentcomplaints.admin.cam.ac.uk/examination-reviews.
Q: Can I submit my answers after the 24h-window for the given exam paper has ended? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: The Moodle course for each examination paper will be open for submission during the 24-hour period specified on the examination timetable. All answers must be uploaded before the end of the 24-hour period, which starts and ends at 12:00 noon BST. (There is a grace period of 1 hour at the end of the 24-hour assessment window to enable students who have been delayed for technical reasons to upload their work.)
A: The Moodle course for each examination paper will be open for submission during the 24-hour period specified on the examination timetable. All answers must be uploaded before the end of the 24-hour period, which starts and ends at 12:00 noon BST. (There is a grace period of 1 hour at the end of the 24-hour assessment window to enable students who have been delayed for technical reasons to upload their work.)
Q: I have extra-time arrangements for the Easter-term examinations approved by the Student Registry. Can I submit my answers after the 24h-window for the given exam paper has ended? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: The Moodle course for each examination paper will be open for submission during the 24-hour period specified on the examination timetable. All answers must be uploaded before the end of the 24-hour period, which starts and ends at 12:00 noon BST. (There is a grace period of 1 hour at the end of the 24-hour assessment window to enable students who have been delayed for technical reasons to upload their work.)
A: The Moodle course for each examination paper will be open for submission during the 24-hour period specified on the examination timetable. All answers must be uploaded before the end of the 24-hour period, which starts and ends at 12:00 noon BST. (There is a grace period of 1 hour at the end of the 24-hour assessment window to enable students who have been delayed for technical reasons to upload their work.)
Q: If I finish the exam in less than the time allowed (2/3 hours), do I need to wait until 2/3 hours have passed in order to upload the answer? (Added 25th May 2020)
A: No, you do not need to wait. You can submit your answers as soon as you have finished.
A: No, you do not need to wait. You can submit your answers as soon as you have finished.
Q: If my internet connection fails during the exam, is there anything that I can/should do? (Added 15th May 2020)
A: Both the University and the Faculty are aware that students may experience technical difficulties with the download/upload of examination papers and answers. The additional administrative time for each examination paper is designed to accommodate minor difficulties with download and upload.
Students are reminded that if they encounter issues that prevent them from undertaking the assessment, they should inform their College Tutor without delay.
Students who have problems with uploading work to the University's Moodle exam site should email their PDF file(s) to exams2020@admin.cam.ac.uk. The mailbox is only for submission of work. Queries sent to this mailbox will not be responded to.
Classed examination
Q: Will the reduction of the number of units to 11-13 apply to the optional full written exam as well? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: For the later, classed examination candidates will be expected to offer the standard number of units (17-19 including an essay, if an essay was submitted by the May 14th deadline).
Q: Will candidates have to offer all papers they sat for the pass/fail examination for the later, classed examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: No. The choice of examination papers for the pass/fail examination papers is independent of that for the later, classed examination, with the exception of the essay paper: an essay submitted by noon on 14th May will automatically count towards the classed examination, should the candidate choose to sit it.
Q: Will a candidate be able to sit the classed examination if they failed the pass/fail examination? (Added 24th April 2020)
A: No.
Q: Will a student be able to take the later, classed exam if they pass the pass/fail examination in the second assessment period? (Added 27th April 2020)
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
Q: I am planning to sit the later Merit/Distinction exam. Can I graduate this summer following the pass/fail examination, or do I need to delay graduation? (Added 20th May 2020)
A: Students who intend to sit the later Merit/Distinction exam do not need to delay graduation. All Part III students who pass the Easter term pass/fail examination will be able to graduate this summer. Student records and transcripts of those candidates who obtain a Merit or Distinction in the later, conventional exam will be updated subsequently.
A: Students who intend to sit the later Merit/Distinction exam do not need to delay graduation. All Part III students who pass the Easter term pass/fail examination will be able to graduate this summer. Student records and transcripts of those candidates who obtain a Merit or Distinction in the later, conventional exam will be updated subsequently.
Q: On average, a higher proportion of strong students may sit the Merit/Distinction exams. How will the examiners allocate the percentage of Merits and Distinctions? (Added 12th May 2020)
A: For the later, classed exam, Merits and Distinctions will be awarded by comparing individual performances to standard attainment criteria; there will be no quotas for the number of Merits and Distinctions. Students cannot be disadvantaged by sitting the classed exam: candidates will retain their pass in Part III regardless of the outcome of the classed examination.
A: For the later, classed exam, Merits and Distinctions will be awarded by comparing individual performances to standard attainment criteria; there will be no quotas for the number of Merits and Distinctions. Students cannot be disadvantaged by sitting the classed exam: candidates will retain their pass in Part III regardless of the outcome of the classed examination.
Q: Suppose a 2019-2020 Part III student passes Part III this summer but chooses not to sit the classed exam. Suppose this student then applies for a PhD in DPMMS/DAMTP in 2021. Would this student be disadvantaged in their application for not having chosen to sit the Merit/Distinction exam? (Added 12th May 2020)
A: The Faculty would normally expect students who might wish to apply to the PhD programme in DAMTP/DPMMS in a future year to sit the later, classed Part III examination if they are able to.
A: The Faculty would normally expect students who might wish to apply to the PhD programme in DAMTP/DPMMS in a future year to sit the later, classed Part III examination if they are able to.
