A Crib Sheet is a quick reference tool. It usually contains only bullet-points, formulas, keywords or mnemonics – only the most essential information and no full explanations. It helps prompt recall of key concepts without giving direct answers.
Pre-Prepared Notes can be detailed and extensive and are often organised by topic or themes. They may include full explanations, worked examples, or diagrams, where permitted by your Module Coordinator.
You may be eligible if you have a documented condition such as:
To confirm if you are eligible, contact the Wellbeing and Disability team.
Crib sheets and Pre-Prepared Notes are not permitted in all subject-areas, and are not suitable in all exams. Decisions about their use are made in consultation with academic staff and Inclusive Student Support and may vary by subject-area or module.
In some exams, ALL students are permitted to use Crib Sheets or Pre-Prepared Notes. Please refer to your assessment instructions on Canvas. The guidance on this page specifically applies to exams where Crib Sheets and Pre-Prepared Notes are a Reasonable Adjustment for a student with a disability.
Crib Sheets and Pre-Prepared Notes are designed to support memory and processing challenges, but they are not appropriate for every type of assessment. Some exams are intended to test:
In these cases, allowing Crib Sheets or Pre-Prepared Notes could compromise the integrity or intended learning outcomes of the assessment and in that case an alternative assessment may be more appropriate.
Your Module Coordinator has the final say on what you can include in your Crib Sheet or Pre-Prepared Notes.
Check for specific instructions from your module coordinator: what is permitted may vary by subject-area or type of exam. You will also be told whether you should use a Crib Sheet or Pre-Prepared Notes.
In the absence of more specific instructions, the following general principles apply:
Include only prompts, such as:
You should never include the following content:
Your Pre-Prepared Notes should not normally be longer than two A4 pages. They can be typed (standard font size, e.g. 12 pt) or handwritten. When permitted specifically by your Module Coordinator, they may include full explanations, worked examples or diagrams. You must check for specific instructions on this from your Module Coordinator.
You must submit your Crib Sheet or Pre-Prepared Notes by the deadline set by the assessment team. The format and structure of your Crib Sheet or Pre-Prepared Notes must be approved by your module coordinator.
The approved Crib Sheet or Pre-Prepared Notes will be printed out by the Assessment team and provided to you at the exam venue. You will be expected to submit them with your exam paper at the end of the exam.
