Cambridge law students complain yellow exam papers 'hurt their eyes'

Published: 10:42, 31 May 2026 | Updated: 10:45, 31 May 2026 Cambridge law students have complained of 'crazy' exam conditions - claiming the desks are too small and yellow question papers 'hurt their eyes'. Students at the top university say the computers being used to write up answers also have 'screen glare' and there is a risk of paper cuts. The nine-month Bachelor of Arts Law course - which costs up to £45,516 for international undergraduates - is designed to 'prepare students to become qualified as a solicitor or barrister'. But in a complaint shared in a WhatsApp group, seen by the Telegraph, one person said: 'Is there a way to take away the yellow from the paper? It hurts my eyes. 'I took multiple breaks to close my eyes yesterday. I’d much rather have a white paper that I am used to.' Another student added: 'I would hate for screen glare, can’t function with it. I’m sure some in the faculty relate to this.' He went on to complain the desks were too small - forcing him to type with his arms held over his notes. The undergraduate, a self-described 'weathered paper cut casualty', said the conditions were 'just crazy'. Students at the top university say the desks are too small for their files, the computers being used to write up answers have 'screen glare' and there is a risk of paper cuts One student accused their classmates of making 'petty' and 'unserious' complaints. They said: 'The faculty have been more than reasonable at every stage and I feel sorry for them that they have been subjected to a litany of increasingly unserious and petty complaints.' In 2023, Cambridge students were accused of 'gaming the system' by 'actively seeking mental health diagnoses for conditions like ADHD'. Dr Fiona Cornish, a GP in the city, said she noticed a 'massive spike' in students wanting a letter to provide a diagnosis before exam term. Doctors were provided with template letters saying a student's medical condition 'has impaired their ability to prepare for or perform in their academic work or examinations', which they could then give their tutor before sitting the assignment. The university could then offer options for alternative exam arrangements, such as taking the paper into a quiet room or getting 25 per cent extra time. Dr Cornish claimed there had been rises in people diagnosed with ADHD and students being 'too anxious to be in a great big exam hall'. The Newnham Walk Surgery GP said the pattern was occurring across the country, having been almost unheard of when she first started practicing three decades ago. Dr Cornish said: 'I think the pendulum has swung too far the other way. I don't know anyone who went to an ADHD clinic who hasn't come back with a diagnosis. 'Then you got on amphetamines and perform better in exams.' The University of Cambridge has been contacted for comment. Are Cambridge students right to expect special exam conditions, or is this just a sign of growing entitlement? What's your view?CambridgeWhatsapp Share or comment on this article: Cambridge law students complain yellow exam papers 'hurt their eyes' e-mail Add comment window.articleShortUrl = 'https://mol.im/a/15861867'; adverts.addTaboolaPosition({ position: "thumbnail", id: "taboola-below-article-thumbnails" }) adverts.addTaboolaPosition({ position: "afterArticle", id: "taboola-below-main-column" }) DM.later('bundle', function (){ DM.SHOUT = {}; DM.SHOUT.shoutChannels = '{"disabledMolShout":false,"disabledChannels":[]}'; DM.SHOUT.isOldArticle = false; }); DM.later('bundle', function (){ DM.has("reader-comments", "ReaderComments", { gplusClientId: '746589970956-e10ciaf67a1id9ggu75ph3ds0sthn7j6.apps.googleusercontent.com', total: 0, offset: 0, allowNewComments: true , moderated: false }); }); Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.