Top 5 IT Readiness Checks Before Your Exams
Don't Let Technical Issues Disrupt Your Exams
As the assessment and exam period approaches at Dublin City University (DCU), the focus should be on your academic performance, not your hardware. Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) has identified five critical areas where a few minutes of preparation today can prevent a major disruption on the day of a deadline.
1. Manage Your Digital Workspace
During busy assessment weeks, your volume of emails and uploaded assignments increases significantly. Large files can quickly push your Google Drive or DCU email storage toward its limit. If your storage reaches 100%, you will be unable to receive official exam notifications or upload final submissions. We recommend reviewing the Storage and Quota Guide to archive old projects, empty your Trash and Spam folders, and ensure you have ample space for your upcoming work.
2. Secure Your Identity and Access
Your DCU account is your key to every campus service. It is essential to confirm that your student email formatted as firstname.lastname[number]@mail.dcu.ie is synchronised and active across all your devices. If you have recently upgraded your mobile phone or reset your password, take a moment now to transfer your Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to the new device. Testing this today ensures you aren't locked out of your account when every minute counts.
3. Verify Your Loop Modules
Loop is the central hub for your course materials and, most importantly, your assignment submissions. Do not wait until the hour of a deadline to check your access. Log in today to confirm that all your current modules are visible and that you can locate the specific submission portals for each assessment. If a module is missing, you can find further instructions on the Loop Support and Information page.
4. Testing Zoom
If your assessments include online presentations or viva exams, you must ensure your virtual room is ready. Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) recommends completing these steps on your device before your exam starts.
Preparation Steps
- Update Zoom: Launch the Zoom application to trigger any pending software updates.
- Sign in with SSO: Always use the SSO option to sign in with your Dublin City University (DCU) credentials.
- Hardware Check: Perform a camera and microphone test within the Zoom settings to ensure they are functional.
- Network: If on campus, ensure your device is connected to eduroam for optimal performance during your exam.
For further assistance, view the Zoom Support Guide.
5. Confirm Your Campus Connection
Whether you are studying in the O’Reilly Library or working remotely, a stable connection is vital. If you are on-campus, ensure your laptop or tablet is configured to connect automatically to eduroam.
Preparing for Success
The goal of these checks is to move technical troubleshooting out of the exam period and into the preparation phase. For a comprehensive overview of all student digital tools, you can browse our Student Essential Services: Help and Support article.
If you encounter any issues while performing these checks, please submit a support request through DCU Help. Our support team is here to ensure your digital experience is seamless, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies while at DCU.