Exams and phones

partyatmygaff

Just how strict are they on the no phone rule? Do they allow you to just keep your phone switched off, face down on the ground underneath your table or does it have to be kept outside of the exam hall? On campus, I have a locker so it's no issue but 4/9 of my exams are in the RDS.

jd83

I just switch it off an leave it in my bag and ive never had any problems. Just make sure it doesn't make any noise in the middle of an exam and that you have your alarm clock turned off.

In my exams last year a phone went off in the exam and all they did was take it off them and put it on an empty desk beside them.

Lawliet

Just switch it off and keep it in your pocket. You're suppose to leave it in your bag outside the exam hall, but with the amount of robberies lately I wouldn't risk it

I've never had an exam in the RDS before, I hadn't considered that it might not be safe to leave valuables in my bag, was planning on bringing my laptop to study in the library afterwards...may have to reconsider...have there been thefts before there?

I've never heard of any thefts, but I certainly wouldn't leave valuables on show. If there's anything you don't want stolen, just leave it at home.

Battery out, pocket. Just in case I somehow had alarms set for that time.

Sir Ophiuchus

Depending on the exam venue, bags might be left at the back of the room. In that case, you should probably leave your phone in your bag, switched off.

Extrasupervery

I assumed it'd be fine to leave both laptop and phone switched off under my chair.

FloatingVoter

Extrasupervery wrote: »

I assumed it'd be fine to leave both laptop and phone switched off under my chair.

I leave the phone in the toilet for emergencies and hide the laptop up my ass.
Seriously...just turn off the phone like you would in a theatre or a cinema. And don't display the dead phone on the desk. Pockets exist for a reason.

Jammyc

If its any use, I've left a laptop/phone in my bag in the RDS while in exams and never had any trouble. Not saying it won't be stolen thought, but mine were fine on several occasions.

Jammyc

Jammyc wrote: »

If its any use, I've left a laptop/phone in my bag in the RDS while in exams and never had any trouble. Not saying it won't be stolen thought, but mine were fine on several occasions.

Are bags left in a separate room or at the back of the room you do the exam in?

partyatmygaff

They're left out in an adjacent hall in the RDS.

Jammyc

There's a big room as you enter with exam number noticeboards. In that room there is a little cordoned off area for bags/coats to be left (by cordoned off, I mean about 3 little fences that everyone moves to get in).

Beside that there is the entrance into the main hall where you'll be sitting.

Hm...sounds safe enough...presumably there are people around to watch for thieves? (well, suppose you should never presume anything logical like that with college :rolleyes:)

partyatmygaff

There's nothing stopping random people from walking in (It wouldn't be all that difficult to pretend to be a student) and searching random bags for valuables. There's also the fact that the RDS seats hundreds of people. You can trust your class but can you really say you trust everyone?

In the sports centre anyway I've seen a security guard lurking the last couple of days. How long into the exams that will last remains to be seen.

Ravelleman

Just leave it in a bag outside the exam hall - there are security guards at the RDS as well.

If you bring a phone into the exam hall you risk being caught by one of the random inspections they do during the exams. It won´t affect your exam result but you will have to pay a fine to the Junior Dean if they do find one in your possession during the exam.

Lawliet

Ravelleman wrote: »

Just leave it in a bag outside the exam hall - there are security guards at the RDS as well.

The problem is the security guards aren't going to be able to tell if the person taking a bag owns it or not. Like I said there's been a lot of robberies lately, like in the chemistry labs where stuff was taken from bags when the owners were in the same room.

If you bring a phone into the exam hall you risk being caught by one of the random inspections they do during the exams. It won´t affect your exam result but you will have to pay a fine to the Junior Dean if they do find one in your possession during the exam.

I guess it just comes down to which you think there's a greater risk of happening, and in the worst case scenario which you'd rather pay for.

Ravelleman

I´ve been spot checked a number of times in exams but never been stolen from. I would have expected the opposite though to be honest.

bscm

Do they allow clear pencil cases/ziploc bags in the exam hall? I don't exactly fancy carrying all my crap in my hands to the RDS now that I'm certain I'm not bringing a bag

bscm

bscm wrote: »

Do they allow clear pencil cases/ziploc bags in the exam hall? I don't exactly fancy carrying all my crap in my hands to the RDS now that I'm certain I'm not bringing a bag

yup, clear pencil cases allowed. As long as it's clear that there's no writing on it/cog notes stashed inside

languagenerd

Deleted User wrote: »

yup, clear pencil cases allowed. As long as it's clear that there's no writing on it/cog notes stashed inside

Are you sure? This morning in Luce Upper (*shudder*) they were saying "no pencil cases, glasses cases or calculator covers". I've always just taken a fistful of pens in and left my bag/pencil case outside.

I've never understood why they make you take scarves off in the RDS though! Do people seriously try hide notes in a scarf? Would it not be obvious?!

Larianne

Didn't want to start a new thread - anyone know if there is somewhere to lock up your bike at the RDS?

languagenerd

languagenerd wrote: »

Are you sure? This morning in Luce Upper (*shudder*) they were saying "no pencil cases, glasses cases or calculator covers". I've always just taken a fistful of pens in and left my bag/pencil case outside.

You're allowed a pencil case if it's clear technically, but I don't no what all the hoo-hah is. Why do people need laptops, phones and more pens than they can carry??? Fistful of pens sounds right to me. No need to bring valuables either.

If it's an anxiety thing, and you want to make sure you have all the pens you need the night before, just put them in a sandwich bag.

Larianne

Larianne wrote: »

Didn't want to start a new thread - anyone know if there is somewhere to lock up your bike at the RDS?

I don't know if there's an official bike park but if you look on google maps it seems that plenty of people lock their bikes to the railings. Maybe just ask around the carpark if there's a spot for bikes, there's usually a guy in hi-vis there I think (totally open to correction).

Peleus

I usually bring my phone in, just like having it on me cos ita expensive. its unlikely that things will be stolen, there's a security guard on duty and it would definitely look suspicious if someone strolled in while an exam was on and went rooting through the bags.

That being said, there's usually about 300 other people in the hall with you and afterwards theres nothing stopping them from taking an extra bag. never heard it happening, but i wouldn't too many valuables with you. if you're worried just get to ur bag right away afterwards and you'll be grand.

Larianne wrote: »

Didn't want to start a new thread - anyone know if there is somewhere to lock up your bike at the RDS?

Yeah tons of places. railings, lamposts etc. If there's no space in RDS you can lockbit down the road.

languagenerd

languagenerd wrote: »

Are you sure? This morning in Luce Upper (*shudder*) they were saying "no pencil cases, glasses cases or calculator covers". I've always just taken a fistful of pens in and left my bag/pencil case outside.

I've never understood why they make you take scarves off in the RDS though! Do people seriously try hide notes in a scarf? Would it not be obvious?!

Yup you are allowed clear cases/bags for your pens. I've heard my invigilators say it. I was wearing a scarf in the RDS yesterday and no one made me take it off!