University of Wollongong students who had to sit through a gruelling eight-hour-long exam remain outraged.
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It's now a few days since the "strenuous experience" but many students have submitted a formal complaint to university management, who stressed the exam replicated real-world experience.
A UOW spokesperson said the exam was designed to reflect a day in a deadline driven marketing workforce and students were expected to manage their own time and personal needs during the activity.
Management did however acknowledge the take home exam was more difficult than intended and would review their options in 2020.
Although many students who did the Marketing Effectiveness (MARK310) exam told 9 News Illawarra they were under so much stress and pressure they were unable to leave for a break.
"I didn't complete the exam, I just submitted and kind of gave up because it was really difficult," third-year student Soutara Potter said.
"I know some students, they didn't leave even to go to the bathroom and things like that."
It is the first time this type of test structure has been used.
The final examination for the third year marketing subject was a timed assignment, also referred to as a take-home, open-book exam, which posed a business scenario requiring an urgent response by a pre-determined deadline.
Although many of the 130 students who had to sit through the exam dubbed the marketing exam from hell, are fuming.
Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association president Chloe Rafferty supports the students' stance.
"WUSA will support any students who want to oppose these unnecessarily stressful exam conditions," she said.
"Students lives are stressful enough already. To have to sit an eight-hour exam at home with no support is unacceptable.
"UOW needs to prioritise student welfare over profits and cost cutting.
"I can't imagine how stressful it would be to sit an eight-hour exam - student assessment should be weighed across less intensive exams and other forms of assessment.
"Once again UOW management are jeopardising students and staff to save a buck."
A UOW spokesperson said support was provided during the exam to help students clarify questions if required, without assisting with answers.
"[The exam] could be undertaken by students wherever they chose but was timed to align with University Library opening hours to ensure easy access to resources and quiet working locations on campus if desired."