Invigilator ended test five minutes early

[NameChange2745637]

I had a test yesterday that was meant to be 1 hour long. I was nearly finished and had four questions to go but was told by the invigilator that the test was finished and to stop what we were doing (there were only two other people left doing their exam at this point). I was a bit surprised because I thought you were normally given about 5 minutes notice, so I said "We're finished" which he replied "Erm yes". This was a computer based exam so I was told there and then that I failed.

I have just signed into my account to see what areas need improving and it said that the duration of the test was only 55 minutes. AIBU here? Should I complain? I didn't notice at the time because I was concentrating.

Yes, definitely complain! That's not on.

Could you have passed with the extra 4 questions answered correctly?

Absolutely!

Sounds strange. Why did you say "we're finished" and not "is the time finished?" He probably thought you were telling him you'd finished.
Contact the organisation and point out the 55 minutes. Not much you can do about not having a five minute warning, they may be usual, but not obligatory.

@howmanyhats I think so. The pass rate was 75% I got 60% and there was only 22 questions

Could you have done the remaining questions in the 5 minutes, and passed the test?

@solinvictus He told me to stop what I was doing and that we had finished, so I just repeated it because I was surprised.

I'm not sure if I would have passed but I would have had a much better chance with the extra 5 minutes

That's pretty shocking.

Every exam I've taken has had a five minute warning as well. I would have said something, though. Did nobody speak up?

i would definitely raise it. When can you retake?

@sunflowersandbuttercups

That's pretty shocking.

Every exam I've taken has had a five minute warning as well. I would have said something, though. Did nobody speak up?

I said something to my tutor but he said they don't normally give a 5 minute warning, I wasn't happy but accepted it. It wasn't until today that I noticed the test was finished 5 minutes earlier than it should have been

With 22 questions, 13 correct would give you 59% and 14 correct would give you 63%. So not sure how you scored 60%?

Anyway, you’d need 17 correct questions to score over 75%. So you’d need to correctly answer at least 3 more questions in 5 minutes. That seems unlikely when the previous questions had taken you over 3 minutes per question. I’d still complain of course.

It sounds unlikely you'd have passed and it also sounds as if the invigilator thought you were saying you'd finished.

@SteveyFluff

With 22 questions, 13 correct would give you 59% and 14 correct would give you 63%. So not sure how you scored 60%?

Anyway, you’d need 17 correct questions to score over 75%. So you’d need to correctly answer at least 3 more questions in 5 minutes. That seems unlikely when the previous questions had taken you over 3 minutes per question. I’d still complain of course.

I think whether I would have passed or failed is irrelevant, the test was meant to be 60 minutes so I shouldn't have been told to finish 5 minutes early.

@Butwasitherdriveway

It sounds unlikely you'd have passed and it also sounds as if the invigilator thought you were saying you'd finished.

He definitely didn't think I had said I had finished. He told me to stop what I was doing.

Do complain. Even if it would have made no difference to your fail/pass.

Invigilators are not supposed to make such errors, but can't be retrained if nobody knows when they do.

You say your test shows 55mins duration, so you have evidence to back up your complaint.

What outcome do you want? I'd wager that the only outcome you could be offered is a retake at the same attempt (ie it doesn't count as a retake but as a first attempt). A complaint is always easier to resolve if you know what you want as a result.

@Mxflamingnoravera

What outcome do you want? I'd wager that the only outcome you could be offered is a retake at the same attempt (ie it doesn't count as a retake but as a first attempt). A complaint is always easier to resolve if you know what you want as a result.

I'm not sure, really. I will definitely be allowed to retake but I don't like how the whole thing was handled. I would like a different invigilator next time.

It makes a world of difference if you'd have passed.

I said something to my tutor but he said they don't normally give a 5 minute warning, I wasn't happy but accepted it. It wasn't until today that I noticed the test was finished 5 minutes earlier than it should have been

Ah, got you now.

That's not acceptable and I would say something. Five minutes early is still early - you should have been given the full amount of time.

@Butwasitherdriveway

It makes a world of difference if you'd have passed.

There's a time limit for a reason though, isn't there?

Yes, so that folk aren't there all day.
But if you would g have passed anyway, it's annoying, but it's not like it would be if you would.

@Butwasitherdriveway

Yes, so that folk aren't there all day. But if you would g have passed anyway, it's annoying, but it's not like it would be if you would.

I don't think that that's the reason at all, it's so that everyone is given a fair chance and enough time to answer the amout of questions you are given.

What was the exam?
I would complain, but be prepared to be told they will adjust your score by 8.3%, which is the amount of time you’ve lost. 8.3% of your score of 13 correct answers is just over 1 so you still wont score enough to get a pass I’m afraid.

But you have said yourself the five minutes wouldn't have given you enough time.