📝 Examination forms

An examination can take many different forms. The following is a list of some of the more common ones. For more specific information on types of examination and grading on your study programme and courses, check the course syllabus which you can find through your programme website or through the course syllabus archive. Be sure to be aware of the rules for examination. It is your responsibility as a student to read and follow the rules and instructions.

Written examination

A written exam with a time limit. The type of questions varies depending on the subject. They can be questions about pure facts, investigative tasks where you must reason through a question, or a problem that must be solved.

Digital examination

Written test, which is carried out in real time with a computer. Can be carried out on campus or remotely. Inspera examination is a system used for this at KI.

Take-home examination

A written test that is completed at home. The questions in a take-home exam often require you to reflect on a specific question. You can use other resources in support of your answer.

Oral examination

You meet with a teacher and discuss the subject being examined. The discussion usually lasts a few hours. The teacher asks questions that require facts as the answer, or asks that you reflect on a topic. An oral examination can be one-on-one or in a group.

Written assignment

A task that is to be completed individually or in a group.

Memorandum

You can be asked to write a PM (memorandum) about a topic where you discuss it at length. This type of assignment is also called an essay or paper.

Laboratory session

You must have successfully completed one or more assignments in a laboratory. Laboratories almost always require the student to describe their work and results in a report. Laboratories can be completed in a group.

Group work

Students are divided into groups where each is required to complete an assignment together. Grades, however, are given individually.

Academic paper

An academic paper can be required for an examination, but at a certain level it can also be required in order to complete a specific degree. Academic papers are generally rather large assignments that can take up to an entire semester to complete. You are always assigned a supervisor (a teacher) to support you in your work on the academic paper. The supervisor helps with advice and feedback on your arguments and research methods. When an academic paper is completed, it must be defended. This is called public discussion or ventilering (in Swedish) of your academic paper. What this means is that, at a seminar, you answer questions about your paper and listen to feedback. Questions are asked by one or more fellow students (opponenter) that have been assigned to review your paper.

➡ Read more about the various kinds of examination forms.