ONLINE ORAL EXAMINATION – Candidate’s Code of Conduct

1.0 General Conduct

1.1 The candidate must be in a suitable quiet room with no one else present; and provided
with necessary amenities i.e., clear desk (except for exam stationery), comfortable chair:
drinking water, low ambient noise and adequately lit with no glare. The exit door(s) to the room
must be closed. The candidate should not attempt to use any public places to undertake the
exam. Doing so will automatically result in forfeiting the exam and loss of exam booking fee.

1.2 The candidate must log in to the meeting at least 10 minutes prior to the designated start
time. If the candidate fails to log in without reasonable explanation in advance, the exam will
be classed as a ‘fail’. Candidates must email [email protected] within 5 minutes
of the exam start time if they encounter connection issues or have not connected with the
examiner at the exam start time. Failure to comply will automatically result in forfeiting the
exam and loss of exam booking fee. Please note the examination times are UK Time.
Either GMT / BST according to the time of year. Please ignore any reference to UTC.

1.3 Exam stationery that should be available on the desk includes- Radar plotting sheets and
aids (Deck CoC candidates only), calculator, A4 plain writing paper, black pen, pencil, eraser
and ruler. OOW candidates should keep their MNTB Training Record Book (TRB) readily
available to display relevant sections on camera, should it be required by the examiner.

1.4 Candidates are expected to be aware of and comply with all Health and Safety aspects at
their site. This includes activation of any fire alarms, use of escape routes etc. Candidates are
encouraged to use toilet facilities before the exam. Comfort breaks during the exam are
discouraged and may only be allowed at the discretion of the examiner. The examiner will
need to be fully satisfied that the candidate will obtain no assistance while absent.

1.5 The candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Business
formal attire is the dress code for exams.

1.6 The candidate must declare in advance of sitting the exam any medical conditions or
disabilities which could affect the normal undertaking of exam.

1.7 Examinations results are confidential between the candidate and the MCA and is subject
to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Candidates must refrain from sharing any
details of the Examiner or provide detailed narration of the examination and results over public
social media platforms. Examiner details will not be shared in advance of the examination
date.

1.8 Candidates cannot cancel or reschedule an exam unless a valid reason is

1.9 Examiners will require to see a valid Government issued Photo ID document to confirm
candidate identity, such as a Passport or Driving licence (for UK nationals) and Passport (for
foreign nationals)

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2.0 Conduct with use of IT equipment

2.1 It is recommended that the examination software is launched on devices such as laptops,
desktop computers or tablets (ipads) equipped with the current updated software
version. Please note the examination cannot be accessed via mobile phone. The laptop,
PC or tablet/ipad must have a reliable high-speed internet connection sufficient for Microsoft
Teams, with audio and video facility to be successfully supported (Recommended minimum
10 Mbps).

2.2 The candidate should download the Microsoft Teams application ahead of the
examination, as per the attached step by step guide sent with the booking email. The
candidate will also need to confirm to the Examiner in case the web browser version is used.
If using the web browser version, the examiner will make a judgement based on IT connectivity
if the exam can proceed or not. Guidance under section 2.7 below will apply if the Examiner
considers that the exam cannot proceed.

2.3 When connected to Microsoft Teams application, the candidate must not use any
background effects and headphones. The microphone and camera must remain on at all times
and the candidate should be looking straight at the camera with hand gestures visible on
camera, as far as possible.

2.4 When asked by the examiner to scan the room via video display, the candidate should be
able to move their laptop to all locations within the room to prove that there is no external
assistance within the room or any unauthorised equipment or materials.

2.5 Candidates should be aware of the screen share functionality available on Microsoft
Teams and share their laptop screen, when required by the examiner. The candidate must not
have any other programs, documents or files open on their laptop other than the Microsoft
Teams application.

2.6 The candidate should be prepared to focus their laptop camera on any written work
undertaken during the exam.

2.7 Insufficient connectivity or other IT connection issues leading to poor audio and video
quality on Microsoft teams during the examination may at the discretion of the examiner lead
to failure or postponement of the examination. Multiple postponements will lead to referral to
the Chief Examiner.

3.0 Cheating Policy

3.1 Use of other forms of electronic or IT devices such as mobile phones, multiple smart
devices, recording devices, on-screen recording, Bluetooth devices or earpiece, etc. is strictly
prohibited. Any evidence of use of such devices will result in forfeiting the exam and loss of
exam booking fee.

3.2 If interruption to proper functioning of exam IT equipment occurs and which causes
suspicion of cheating, the candidate will be referred to The Chief Examiner.

3.3 Use of internet search engines, textbooks, notes or any other form of external assistance
is strictly not allowed. Similarly, muting the microphone or constantly looking away from the
camera, use of headphones, background effects or any form of external assistance, including

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presence of others in the room will be viewed as cheating. Any evidence of such breaches will
result in failure of the exam and be reported to the Chief Examiner for possible investigation
and penalties.

3.4 Any attempts to verify the examiner’s identity by any means prior to the commencement
of oral exam will be viewed as cheating. Any evidence of such breaches will result in failure of
the exam and be reported to the Chief Examiner for possible investigation and penalties.

3.5 All Exams will be recorded to ensure integrity, transparency and accountability. This policy
applies to all online Exams, no exceptions will be permitted. By Candidates participating, they
agree to be recorded. All recordings will be stored securely and accessed only by authorised
personnel for investigation or review purposes. To protect the integrity of the online oral
examination system candidates will not have access to, nor be able to obtain, a copy of the
recording. Recordings will be deleted after a retention period of 90 unless an appeal or
investigation is pending. Non-compliance with this policy will result in a Fail. Please note
candidate’s should appeal within FIVE WORKING DAYS, any appeal made after five working
days will not be considered.

3.6 It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide a reliable internet connection. A third
postponement owing to connectivity or IT equipment issues will result in the examination being
declared as a failure by default and no appealing in this regard will be entertained.

Note: UKLAP Grade 1 – Masters candidates will be allowed to keep reference books allowed
under MSN 1867 (M) Annex B. Again, the use of handwritten notes in books is not permitted,
however, these candidates can use reference tabs on the permitted books.

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