Use of a One-Page Reference Guide in On-Campus Timed Exams: Reflections and Assessment of Its Impact on Students in a Post-Open-Book World

Abstract

adopted online open-book assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic, before returning to on-campus hall-based exams several years later. Recognizing the potential for issues caused by a lack of student familiarity with closed-book exam techniques, we adopted a limited form of open-book support, inviting students to prepare a single page of notes to bring into each exam. The impact of this open-note support on student anxiety and preparation was investigated through a mixedmethods survey. We observed a marked reduction in reported anxiety, and students also reported widespread uptake of more effective study habits, using the freedom from memorization to prioritise higher-order cognitive tasks.