Use of aids and materials at written exams

When formulating exam assignments, emphasis must be placed on testing the students’ academic knowledge at the time of the exam.

Aids and materials permitted at exams are specified in the course description. There are three options:

No aids and materials permitted (except standard dictionaries and non-programmable calculators).
Written materials permitted, i.e. books, notes, old take-home assignments, etc. but not technical aids, for instance, a laptop.
All aids and materials permitted - without internet access, meaning that in addition to written aids, it is also permitted to bring a laptop, tablet, and similar devices. The use of generative AI is not allowed.
All aids and materials permitted - with internet access. The use of generative AI is allowed.

Laptops, tablets, calculators, and other electronic aids must not be set up in a way that enables communication with others inside or outside the exam room.

Students are always allowed to bring standard dictionaries, such as spelling dictionaries, contemporary language dictionaries, and other language dictionaries, but not, for example, technical or medical dictionaries. This does not include language exams where dictionaries are not permitted.

Students are always allowed to bring a calculator unless the department forbids using calculators or makes one available for the exam. The department can make computers available for the exam, in which case students are not allowed to bring their own computer.

Students may use earplugs during the exam but must apply for an exemption if they need additional noise-reducing aids, such as earmuffs. The application must be sent to specialexamconditions@adm.dtu.dk.

Students are not allowed to use their own printer for the exam, and it is not allowed to listen to music during an exam.

Read about written exams (written on-site exams) at DTU Inside under 'Study rules'/'Exam'/'Forms of examination'.

A FAQ on written exams is available at DTU Inside under 'Study rules'/'Exam'/FAQ about written examinations'.

Written exam, with all aids permitted, is conducted digitally
For a written exam on campus with all aids allowed, you must bring a PC, as the exam task will be set digitally, and the exam answer must be submitted digitally. If the exam is not suitable for digital delivery, this will be announced by the course supervisor before the exam. In these cases, however, it is still mandatory to bring a PC, as the exam task will most often be set digitally.

When submitting digitally, it is important to be able to insert drawings and formulas in the right places in the answer. There are a number of options for doing this: a small scanner, a digital pen/drawing board, or an independent camera or the PC's camera. It is not allowed to use mobile phones during the exam.

A written digital exam can never be conducted as an online home exam, as this form of exam has been abolished. See DTU Inside under 'Study rules'/'Examination'/'Examination forms'.

Violation of the rules on the use of aids
Violating the rules of using aids and materials for written exams will lead to disciplinary measures towards students according to the rules regarding cheating at exams. Find more information on this at DTU Inside under Study rules'/‘Exam’/'Cheating at exams and other forms of assessment'.

Students must not gain unauthorized access to information during the exam, including online, when this is prohibited or by communicating with others. The exam paper submitted must be prepared during the exam by the student himself. If material prepared by others or jointly with others is used at the exam, reference must be made to this.

Responsibility for own aids and devices
Students are responsible for any aids and materials they bring to the exam, and DTU generally does not make facilities available for the use of aids. Students are not granted extra time for the exam if the aids they have brought to the exam have a malfunction, are out of power, etc.

Special exam conditions for written exams
It is possible to apply for special conditions for a written exam and obtain permission to use compensating aids (e.g. assistive aids for dyslexics) for written exams, where aids are otherwise not permitted. See DTU Inside under 'Study rules'/'Exam'/‘Special exam arrangements’.