Feedback to students regarding the 2021 online examinations

The 2021 academic year was an extraordinary year. You showed your resilience and adaption to the changes that were brought about by the super semester. You participated successfully in your learning experience which extended to your submissions in both the formative and summative stages. We remain encouraged by students’ adaptation to online learning and online examinations. This year, the university received over 6.5 million assignment submissions and students participated in 1.4 million online summative assessments. We are pleased that the participation rates in the online examinations were consistently higher than those of venue-based assessments, and that absenteeism from examinations continues to decline.

Unisa piloted the two invigilation tools (the Invigilator App and IRIS) in the October to December 2020 online examinations to assure the integrity of the online examinations. Both invigilation tools were fully utilised for the shorter timed examinations for exit modules this year.

Examination irregularities

As previously communicated, Unisa remains resolute in its zero-tolerance stance against cheating and plagiarism during online examinations. Students who have been identified through both these invigilation tools, and also through other measures, have been referred to the Disciplinary Office. Those students who received communication from the Disciplinary Office should await further communication from the Disciplinary Office. We advise students to re-register for their affected modules pending the outcome of the disciplinary process. Enquiries relating to disciplinary processes may be sent to Examscriptdiciplinary@unisa.ac.za.

Challenges in using the Invigilator App

We are aware that some students experienced challenges with the Invigilator App during their online examinations. In some instances, the Invigilator App could not activate invigilation due to students commencing their invigilation late, that is, outside of the 30-minute allowable window. In other instances, student details were not provided to the supplier, which hindered those students from registering on the Invigilator App. In such cases, students were expected to send their query to the Invigilator WhatsApp number (as previously informed), as this would have retained records of students who could not be invigilated. Fewer than 2 500 students were affected in this regard and will have their marks released.

We have noted that some students do not read university communication, particularly in preparing themselves for online examinations. Such students found themselves unable to activate the Invigilation App and did not send their queries to the Invigilator WhatsApp line as instructed. While we accommodated students' queries and responded accordingly, the university relies on the tracking and tracing mechanism of the Invigilator WhatsApp line to investigate the reported queries. Because students did not make full use of the Invigilator WhatsApp line, we recognise that we may not have identified all the students who were granted permission not to use the Invigilator App and their results have been withheld. Students who fall into this category have an opportunity to appeal the university's decision through completion of the form. Click here to access the online form. Students are expected to attach proof of such permission.

In other instances, we noted that some modules could not be invigilated due to Invigilator server challenges or the unavailability of the QR-code at the beginning of the examination. Such modules have been identified and the invigilation thereof has been invalidated. Marks relating to affected modules have been released.

Non-usage of the Invigilator App

Our records indicate that 13% of the total number of students who were required to have their examinations invigilated failed to participate in their online invigilation. For purposes of ensuring examination integrity, the university’s Management Committee has recommended that the results of students who did not use the Invigilator App be withheld. Such students will, however, be granted a supplementary examination opportunity to be written in the January/February 2022 examination period and will receive a written warning from the Disciplinary Office for transgressing examination rules. Further transgressions in this regard will result in formal disciplinary proceedings.

Students who submitted only the Invigilator App and not the official examination platforms

Students were instructed to submit their examination answer scripts via the official myExams platform. In cases where students experienced challenges with the myExams platform, students were advised to submit their answer scripts on the contingency links. We have noted that some students did not submit their answer scripts via these platforms, but rather via the Invigilator App. The university has resolved to accommodate these students by processing their marks through alternative processes. It should be noted that these students may receive an “absent from examination” as a result. We request these students to please be patient as we process their marks through alternative means. Student results will be updated once finalised. Students are advised to send all the examination-related enquiries to exams@unisa.ac.za.

CTA and CSET students

The CTA tests were invigilated throughout the year utilising the Invigilator App. These students had an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Invigilator App during the formative assessment stage. CTA students who did not participate in the online invigilation for their 2021 examinations will have their marks withheld and will be referred for disciplinary action. Similarly, students from CSET who utilised the IRIS invigilation were adequately prepared through the college’s interventions for utilisation of IRIS. Students who did not make use of the IRIS online invigilation will have their marks withheld and will be referred for disciplinary action. CTA and CSET students are requested to re-register for their modules unless they applied for aegrotat examinations due to unforeseen challenges experienced on the day of their examinations.

MCQ examinations

Our MCQ guidelines cautioned students against starting their MCQ examinations in multiple browsers. We also cautioned against the use of browser forward and backward navigation buttons. In such instances, students are at risk of losing their previous responses or the system submitting the MCQ examination on the behalf of the student on one of the open browsers which the student was no longer using to complete their MCQ examination. In such instances students have received a zero final mark. Though these are user-related challenges, we have identified affected students and awarded an additional examination opportunity to be written during the January/February 2022 examination period.

“Absent from examination” final marks

We have noted with deep regret that final marks for the PLC2601, PYC2601, SAT1610 and MGG2601 modules were prematurely released without finalisation of all students’ marks who participated in examinations. Consequently, students received absent from examination as final mark. These modules are urgently receiving attention for ratification.

Students who submitted on the contingency link after the permissible one hour for uploading have also been marked as “absent from examination” due to late submissions and are advised to reregister for their affected modules.

Aegrotat applications

Students who were adversely affected by loadshedding and/or network challenges during their examinations are requested to apply for an aegrotat. Students who experienced the death of loved ones or illness during the course of the examinations are also expected to apply for an aegrotat. Students are expected to submit aegrotat applications within 10 days of their scheduled examination sittings. Aegrotat applications are not considered after the release of marks. Students are advised to send all the examination-related enquiries to exams@unisa.ac.za.

Supplementary examination timetables

Once the January/February 2022 examination timetable for supplementary/deferred examinations has been finalised, it will be made available on myUnisa. Students may contact the university at exams@unisa.ac.za should their supplementary/deferred examination timetable not be on myUnisa by 10 January 2022.

We wish all our students are happy festive season and look forward to welcoming them back in the 2022 academic year.

Kind regards
University Registrar