# Referencing in tests and exams

**Source**: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/assessment/tests-exams/referencing-in-tests-and-exams/
**Parent**: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/

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 — Referencing in tests and exams

# Referencing in tests and exams

The nature of an assessment task may require students to reference their sources. Consider what would be appropriate given the task, the discipline, and the level of your cohort.

Referencing is a mechanism for students to demonstrate their critical thinking skills in being able to research, identify, and evaluate information in using appropriate scholarly resources for their assessment task. It is also an important way for students to demonstrate their understanding of academic integrity.

Students should be given clear instructions on expectations for referencing assessment tasks; how/whether it is required, or assessed. Referencing takes time and should be accounted for in the total time to complete the assessment. References generally would not count towards the word count.

Direct them towards [QuickCite](https://auckland.libguides.com/quickcite/), the University’s guide on how to cite their sources, including which referencing style is used by your faculty.

## Referencing in tests and exams

### Open-book assessment

Under the open-book (OB) designation, students may refer to any written/printed material, including online sources. Provide very clear guidelines to students of your expectations. We recommend you communicate to your students:

- Why they need to reference for their assessment
- How you require students to reference (e.g., referencing style, in-text citation and reference list), and expectations for providing evidence of the reference (paraphrasing and quoting).
- How referencing will be assessed (e.g., how many sources are expected, the quality of sources you expect)

### Restricted book assessment

Under the Restricted Book (RB) designation, students must only refer to and cite from the resources listed and supplied, and must not refer to other resources.

Two types of citations you may wish for students to provide in their assessment:

1. **In-text citations** – you may wish to instruct students to use (author, year) and (author, year, p.\_) if it’s a direct quote.
2. **Reference list** (i.e., at the end of the text). Since it’s already pre-determined, we recommend that you include the list (formatted in the chosen respective style) to your students with the exam instructions.

*Page updated 17/06/2025 (minor edit)*