Challenging times: session exams in the coronavirus era

More than 600 written exams with up to 900 candidates and around 400 oral exams with up to 130 candidates comprise the session examinations, which will be held at ETH Zurich from 3–28 August. A tremendous challenge in pandemic times: The exams need to be organised so that participants can adhere to safety measures and the health of students is not jeopardised at any time.

From the beginning, the Rectorate has been committed to the goal of holding session examinations under conditions that are as normal as possible. In doing so, the university needs to meet a range of obligations related to equal opportunity, legal matters, federal government rules and internal guidelines specific to ETH.

Reducing infection risk

The safety of test takers and examiners is of foremost concern: the exams must be conducted in such a way that the health of participants is not jeopardised at any time. Guidelines that are already in place can help make this possible: keeping 1.5 metres of personal distance, wearing masks when necessary and adhering to hygiene rules (e.g. regularly airing out rooms, washing and disinfecting one's hands, cleaning commonly used surfaces and objects).

Students who have COVID-19 or symptoms of illness will not be admitted to the exams and will have to make them up during a later session. In some cases, students will be allowed to take oral exams via videoconference (see below for more information).

Written exams: a logistical challenge

Special measures will be in place for written examinations, which involve having up to 670 people with the same exam start times in the same building during the peak period. In order to ensure the safety of all participants, exam start times will be staggered so that not too many people are at the same place at the same time. Furthermore, the university highly recommends that students wear a mask while inside ETH buildings when on their way to and from examinations. Wearing a mask in the HIL and ONA buildings – where most people will be gathering – is mandatory.

Barriers will be erected in front of the HIL building to discourage larger groups from congregating at the entrance. These barriers are intended to optimally manage student foot traffic if necessary. Restrooms are another hotspot that get quite a bit of visitation, particularly before the beginning of an exam. To prevent too many people from gathering there, mobile toilet facilities will be set up in front of the HIL and ONA buildings.

Because of personal distancing rules, there will sometimes be fewer seats than usual in individual examination rooms. As a result, the schedule will distribute exam dates equally over the four-week exam period. This may lead to longer waiting periods for exam grades, with some Grading Conferences possibly delayed for up to a week. Exams will also be held on Saturday afternoons.

More flexibility for oral exams

Organising oral exams is a somewhat less complex affair: they require that fewer people gather in the same place at the same time, and personal distancing is easier to maintain. Plexiglass dividers will be used where necessary. Examiners may also require that masks be worn during the exam.

Just as with written exams, the general rule is that the exam should be held in person. However, in some cases it is permissible to hold oral exams remotely via videoconference: students who show symptoms of illness or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, students who belong to an at-risk group, and students who are abroad at the time of the exam and for whom a trip back to ETH is not possible.

Well-equipped for the exam period

The Academic Services department is working together with Facility Management, Services and other parts of ETH to ensure that this summer's exam period is as normal as possible. The goal is for all students to be able to continue their studies as planned.