Taking an exam with TestVision
Tilburg University uses the TestVision software program for digital exams taking place on- and off-campus.
Prepare yourself for an exam in TestVision
It is important that you complete the following steps well in advance of the exam date so that you have time to solve any problems you may encounter and you can start the exam well-prepared.
Digital exam on campus
1. Register in time for the exam
For exams you will need a valid registration in OSIRIS to be allowed to participate. Without a valid registration, participation is not possible! Online registration for an exam, resit or midterm is possible up to 5 working days before the date of the exam.
Registered students will receive an exam notification 4 days before the exam. If you did not receive an exam notification (check your SPAM), you are not registered. Please do not contact your lecturer, the Student Administration, or Digital Exams Support. You can register for the next opportunity.
More information about registering for exams can be found on the web page written exams.
2. Take a practice test
Use this practice test to become acquainted with TestVision. For exams using other software, such as Anaconda or Rstudio, it is important to practice with these programs on the university PC’s. Sometimes these programs work slightly differently on the universitys PC’s than on your own PC, for example when you use a Macbook.
3. Read the TestVision instructions
Please read the following document to be well prepared at the start of the exam.
4. Prepare for your on-campus exam
Make the following preparations if you take the exam on campus in a Tilburg University computer room.
- Please bring your Tilburg University card or other valid identification (driver's license, ID card or passport) with you.
- The exam notification will tell you which seat in the exam room you need to take the exam at. Take a seat at the table reserved for you.
- Please be on time. Take the time to put your things away in the lockers if you are taking a digital examination in Cube 241 or Cube 242. You may enter the room 15 minutes before the start of the exam.
- Make sure that you have a working Tilburg University username/password combination. This is necessary to log in to the computer. You can write your username/password on a paper note and are allowed to bring this into the room. Please show the note to the invigilator before entering the room.
- If you come across any technical issues during your digital exam, do not hesitate to contact the invigilators. They can help assess the problem and, if needed, call for technical support.
- Is the use of an USB or external hard drive allowed during the exam? Please follow the instruction below to make sure your USB or external hard drive is accessible on the campus computers:
Instruction formatting external storage device
Digital exam off-campus
1. Register in time for the exam
For exams you will need a valid registration in OSIRIS to be allowed to participate. Do you have no valid registration, participation is not possible! Online registration for an exam, resit or midterm is possible up to 5 working days before the date of the exam.
Registered students will receive an exam notification 4 days before the exam. If you did not receive an exam notification (check your SPAM), you are not registered. There is no point in contacting your lecturer, the Student Administration, or Digital Exams Support. You can register for the next opportunity.
More information about registering for exams can be found on the web page written exams.
2. Check if your hardware (laptop/computer) and internet connection meet the requirements
Hardware
For digital exams off-campus the following requirements apply:
- Operating system: Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.11 or higher, Linux Ubuntu 18.04 or higher, Chrome OS 58 or higher.
- Web browser: Use only Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Internet connection: an Internet connection with a minimal upload speed of 0.244 Mbps.
Internet connection
To test your Internet connection, use one of the websites that allow you to test upload and download speeds and ping times (for example www.speedtest.net). Test several times. If the lowest upload speed is higher than 0.244 Mbps, your internet connection is sufficient. Higher is obviously better.
Shared internet connection
Do you have a shared internet connection, for example, with housemates? Then make sure that your housemates do not send too much data over the line during the test. Ask them to take this into account.
3. Take a practice test
Take this practice test to become acquainted with TestVision.
If you experience technical problems during your preparation, please contact Digital Exams Support via digitalexams@tilburguniversity.edu.
4. Read the instructions and regulations for exams
When taking a digital exam off-campus, the same rules apply as for regular written exams on campus.
Check out exam regulations
TestVision Instructions
Please read the following document to be well prepared at the start of the exam.
Exam with TestVision off-campus: important instructions for students
5. Prepare your workplace and yourself
Start preparing 30 minutes before the exam time, so that you can start on time.
- Check which examination aids (e.g. scrap paper or books) are permitted and remove all other objects from your desk or table.
- Make sure you are alone in the room and can work in peace.
6. Go to the exam before the official start time
Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. You can open the exam as follows:
- Go to the TestVision webpage.
- Choose the option ‘Login via SURFconext’.
- Enter your Tilburg University username and password.
- Then open the ‘Take test’ menu.
- Exams are visible on the day of the exam. You can start with the exam from the official starting time by clicking on the arrow behind the exam concerned. You do not have to enter a password.
- The lecturer has determined the duration of the exam, and this is indicated on the instruction page. Keep a close eye on the passage of time during the exam and submit your exam on time.
Technical problems during the exam
If you experience any problems during the exam, please contact Digital Exams Support via +31 (0)13 - 466 4663 or digitalexams@tilburguniversity.edu. Support is available during all scheduled exams. Always state the course code and course name of the exam you are taking, and whether the exam takes place in Canvas or TestVision.
7. After the exam (follow-up calls)
Follow-up calls
In some cases, lecturers may give you a call after the exam to check whether you have taken the exam yourself. You will be informed in a timely fashion about this (via Canvas, and on the cover page of the exam).
Please be aware that you can be contacted via Canvas Conferences up to two hours after the end of the exam. You will hear as quickly as possible after the exam whether you will receive a follow-up call. You will receive an e-mail with instructions, so keep an eye on your mailbox. If you fail to answer the call or if the assessor establishes in the short interview that you most likely did not take the exam on your own, an official report will be made.
Contact with fellow-students directly after the exam
The rules about contacting other students depend on whether there is a follow-up call after the exam. You will be informed via Canvas and on the cover sheet of the exam if this is the case.
- Exam without follow-up calls: you are not allowed to communicate with other students about the exam until one hour after the end of the exam. Doing so will be considered fraud.
- Exam with follow-up calls: it is not allowed to communicate with other students about the exam until two hours after the end of the exam. Doing so will be considered fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
I can not login in the exam in TestVision, what should I do?
Registration
Please check if you have registered for the exam. If you did not register in time for the exam, participation is not possible. You can check in Osiris or at the Student Administration if you have registered. All registered students will receive an exam notification 4 days before the exam.
Did you not receive an exam notification? Then you are not enrolled and cannot participate. There is no point in contacting your lecturer, Student Administration or IT Support. You can register for the next resit.
Digital Exams Support (during off-campus exams)
If you have problems with your computer or internet connection, please contact Digital Exams Support via +31 (0)13 - 466 4663 or digitalexams@tilburguniversity.edu. Support is available during all scheduled exams. Always state the course code and course name of the exam you are taking, and whether the exam takes place in Canvas or TestVision.
What happens if my internet connection is (intermittently) lost while I'm taking a digital exam off-campus?
If your internet connection is lost during the exam, you can continue with the exam without having to log in again. After reconnecting, you can in most cases continue working from the point where you left off. In TestVision your answers are saved automatically every 60 seconds and also when you navigate to the next or previous question. It is therefore possible that the last entry is not completely saved if your connection is lost.
If you are unable to reconnect, please contact Digital Exams Support immediately on +31 (0)13-466 4663 or digitalexams@tilburguniversity.edu. Support is available during all scheduled exams. Always state the course code and course name of the exam you are taking, and whether the exam takes place in Canvas or TestVision.
You are responsible for having a stable internet connection and will not be given extra time during the test if you have been temporarily without internet access.
If, for example due to technical problems, I start the digital exam off-campus later than the official start time, do I get extra time at the end?
The following rule applies to exams in general: you can still participate up to 30 minutes after the official start time.
If you start later than the official start time due to technical problems with your own hardware or internet connection, you will not be given extra time.
Are you allowed to start until 30 minutes after the official start time of the exam?
Yes, you can participate up to 30 minutes after the official start time. You will not be given extra time if you start later than the official start time.
When do I get the final results?
Between 10 and 15 working days after the exam took place, the teacher will publish the final grades in Osiris. Based on these grades, you can decide to participate in the resit. In case an official report has been filed against you, you will not receive a final grade in Osiris. You can make your own decision whether or not to register for the resit.
If the teacher has published preliminary grades in Canvas, students can not derive any rights from these.
Do special arrangements also apply?
Students who need extra facilities (e.g. extra time) due to a disability can request this online. You can also make use of these facilities for off-campus exams. Please note that, in some cases, you may need to make some arrangements yourself.
- For all exams listed on the Written exams and midterms page: You do not need to do anything. If you are entitled to extra time, arrangements will be made automatically.
- For all exams not listed on the Written exams and midterms page, but that do have a fixed starting and end time: Please contact your lecturer to indicate that you have a right to special arrangements. The lecturer will make arrangements for you with respect to the exam. They will of course check whether you have indeed been granted special arrangements.
For other facilities, such as a standing table or a low-stimulus room: you will need to take care of this yourself. You can change your screen settings to increase font size, if necessary.
What is a Code of Honor in relation to digital exams?
During an exam, you are assessed on your own performance. Therefore, a Code of Honor is included on the cover sheet of each exam. By participating in the exam, you agree to this code:
“I will take this exam to the best of my abilities, without seeking or accepting the help of any source not explicitly allowed by the conditions of the exam.
I have neither given nor received, nor have I tolerated others’ use of unauthorized aid.
Not complying with the statement invalidates the exam for summative use, that is, a grade will not be assigned to your completed exam."
Firm action will be taken in the event academic fraud is discovered.
Some Schools have their own Code of Honor.