If you have a legitimate problem during the exam

[Winwin2011]

If you have a legitimate problem during the exam, raise your hand and talk quietly to the invigilator.

I was wondering if it is incorrect to use "in" to replace "during" in the above sentence. Does "you" refer to all candidates? If the answer is "yes", is it possible to use "hands" in the above sentence?

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you have a legitimate problem during the exam, raise your hand and talk quietly to the invigilator.

I was wondering if it is incorrect to use "in" to replace "during" in the above sentence. Does "you" refer to all candidates? If the answer is "yes", is it possible to use "hands" in the above sentence?

Thanks.

Even though "in" wouldn't be completely wrong, "during" is the most natural word. "You" does refer to all candidates. However, if it said "hands", it would mean that in order to attract the attention of the invigilator, each person has to raise both their hands. That would not make sense.

 

[riquecohen]

Invigilator is a totally new word for me. In the US, we call this person the proctor.

 

[emsr2d2]

Invigilator is a totally new word for me. In the US, we call this person the proctor.

It's the standard word in BrE for the person who oversees a room full of people taking an exam. What they do is "to invigilate".

 

[Winwin2011]

Even though "in" wouldn't be completely wrong, "during" is the most natural word. "You" does refer to all candidates. However, if it said "hands", it would mean that in order to attract the attention of the invigilator, each person has to raise both their hands. That would not make sense.

Does "During the exam" means from the beginning to the end of the exam wheras "in" does not have the same meaning?

 

[Winwin2011]

Does "During the exam" means from the beginning to the end of the exam wheras "in" does not have the same meaning?

Could anyone help, please?

 

[5jj]

Does "During the exam" means from the beginning to the end of the exam wheras "in" does not have the same meaning?

No. They both have roughly the same meaning but, as ems has already said, "Even though "in" wouldn't be completely wrong, "during" is the most natural word".

 

[Raymott]

"Problems in the exam" could mean "problems with the exam". That doesn't cover problems like the need for a toilet break, or the onset of a severe migraine, which are potential "problems during the exam".

 

[Rover_KE]

It's the standard word in BrE for the person who oversees a room full of people taking an exam. What they do is "to invigilate".

If an invigilator invigilates, does a proctor proct?

 

[Raymott]

If an invigilator invigilates, does a proctor proct?

Possibly, but I think a proctor would proctor, just as a doctor doctors.

 

[MikeNewYork]

If an invigilator invigilates, does a proctor proct?

Does an invigilator do proctoscpy? :lol:

 

[emsr2d2]

Does an invigilator do proctoscpy? :lol:

That would be quite distracting in the middle of your Art History exam!

 

[MikeNewYork]

That would be quite distracting in the middle of your Art History exam!

In an Art History exam it might be a welcome distraction. :lol: