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Portable Computers / Programmable Calculators / Mobile Phones 2012

The Chartered Membership examination has always sought to reproduce design office conditions
as much as is practicable, and the Examinations Panel is reluctant to impose any arbitrary ban on
design methods other than is essential for practical reasons.
Candidates should note, therefore that they may, if they wish, use a portable computer or
programmable calculator so long as it

Requires no external power supply.

Is silent in use.
Is sufficiently small to cause no disruption to other candidates or the smooth conduct of the
examination.
Is not used under any circumstances to make electronic communication with anyone else,
nor to transmit or receive data
Is not used during the exam to connect to the Internet, to a network or to an external
database.

Candidates must note, however that computer printouts will not be acceptable as part of the
candidates paper and will not be marked. Any calculations performed by computer should be
reproduced manually in a logical sequence in a form that can be marked.

When assessing calculations, Examiners look primarily for evidence of a candidates

understanding of fundamental engineering concepts. Computer output, however clear, concise or
comprehensive it may be, does nothing to satisfy the Examiners in this regard.

Candidates may not include any previously-prepared calculations, notes, sketches, diagrams,
computer output or other similar material in their answer books or A3 drawings. Any
previously-prepared information submitted by candidates will be ignored by the examiners.

Gaining an unfair advantage

During the examination:

1. strictly no electronic contact is allowed between a candidate and anyone outside the
examination venue. Mobile phones must be turned off on entry to the exam room and may
not be switched on again until after the end of the exam.

2. Candidates may not scan the question paper or their examination script using a scanner,
mobile phone, web-cam or other optical device.

Invigilators will monitor candidates during the examination for breaches of these rules. Any
candidate found breaking them will be reported to the Institutions Professional Conduct Committee
and faces expulsion from the Institution.

Peter Jinks
Manager, Examinations

Peter Jinks
Manager, Examinations The Institution of Structural Engineers
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