GUIDELINES FOR FINAL EXAMS
IN-PERSON EXAMS
In-Person Exam Conflicts
- If you have an exam conflict, report the conflict before the deadline. Conflicts can be:
- Direct Conflict: You have two exams scheduled on the same day at the same time.
- Three-in-a-Row: You have three exams in consecutive timeslots. There are three exam timeslots per day: Morning (9 am), afternoon (2 pm) and evening (7 pm).
- If you cannot write an exam at the scheduled time due to a religious observance, report the conflict before the deadline.
In-Person Exam Guidelines
- Arrive at the exam room early. Doors typically open 15 minutes before the start of the exam. If you are late, speak with the exam facilitator in the exam room as soon as you arrive. They will be able to discuss your options with you.
- Follow the exam facilitator’s instructions – they’ll tell you when to start and stop.
- If you have any questions during the exam, raise your hand and wait for an exam facilitator.
- If you have to go to the washroom, raise your hand and wait for an exam facilitator.
- If you complete your exam early, raise your hand and stay in your seat until an exam facilitator collects your exam. If you complete your exam in the last 15 minutes of the allotted writing time, stay in your seat until all the exams have been collected.
- Focus on your own exam and do not communicate with anyone else except an exam facilitator.
Permitted Items for In-Person Exams
- Bring your TCard, pens and pencils (no pencil cases can be on the desk), a clear water bottle with no labels, and any aids allowed by the instructor.
- Cell phones and smartwatches are considered unauthorized aids and are not allowed during exams. Turning off your cell phone and smartwatch during exams is not enough. Make sure that you put them away. If you are caught with a cell phone or smartwatch on you, even if they are turned off, it may be considered an academic offence.
- Place your coat or jacket on the back of your chair.
- With the exception of pens, pencils, clear water bottles and authorized aids, place all your belongings into your bag. Place your bag under your chair and don’t touch it during the exam.
Note: In addition to your TCard, the following photo identification is permitted:
- Up-to-date passport (any country)
- Current driver’s license (any country)
- Current Canadian health card (any province or territory)
If you feel ill before your in-person exam
- If you are feeling ill before your exam, you should not begin the exam and should instead submit a petition to defer the exam.
If you become ill during an in-person exam
- If you become ill during the exam and have to abandon your exam, make sure to let an exam facilitator or the instructor know before leaving the room. You will be required to sign a form and will be provided with information on your next steps. You may submit a petition to rewrite your exam. For a petition, you will need to submit supporting documentation including the U of T Verification of Student Illness or Injury form (VOI).
- Consult your College Registrar’s Office for advice and support throughout this process.
ONLINE EXAMS
In-person and online exams, both considered formal exams, follow the same general principals regarding student conduct and the University policies on Academic Integrity, Accommodated Testing, Religious Accommodations, and Exam Conflicts.
Online Exam Conflicts
- If you have an exam conflict, report the conflict before the deadline. Conflicts can be:
- Direct Conflict: You have two exams scheduled on the same day at the same time.
- Three-in-a-Row: You have three exams in consecutive timeslots. There are three exam timeslots per day: Morning (9 am), afternoon (2 pm) and evening (7 pm).
- If you cannot write an exam at the scheduled time due to a religious observance, report the conflict before the deadline.
Online Exam Guidelines
- For exams on Quercus, students should review the Quercus Quizzes tip sheet. For online exams not using Quercus, your instructor will provide you with information regarding platform and access.
- Before the start of the online exam students should test their laptop and internet access.
- Make sure you are logged in at least 15 minutes before the start of your exam. You will not be given extra time if you are late.
- If you are having technical issues logging in, notify your instructor and contact the Information Commons help desk at 416-978-HELP (4357) or help.desk@utoronto.ca for technical support. Take screenshots of your issue that includes the date and time.
- Follow the instructions that your instructor has provided regarding how to access and complete the exam.
- If you have any questions during the online exam, follow the instructions provided by your instructor on how to contact with them.
- Focus on your own work. Follow your instructor’s guidelines about what is permitted during the exam.
- Should you encounter a major disruption, such as a fire alarm, during an online exam that prevents you from completing your exam, follow the steps below:
- First and foremost, ensure your safety.
- Once you are able, notify your instructor immediately and submit any work completed (e.g., save and log out of exam, email solutions to instructor).
- Depending on the major disruption, supporting documentation may differ. Do your best to document the incident as much as you are able. This may include a third-party letter that is able to corroborate the incident (e.g., building supervisor, law enforcement).
PERMITTED ITEMS for Online Exams
- Follow your instructor’s guidelines about the permitted items during your exam. Use of any unauthorized aids, including textbooks and lecture notes, online searches, generative artificial intelligence, third-party tutorial services and consultation with others may be considered an academic offence.
- For some exams, your instructor may request that you make a declaration (or attestation) that you have read, understood, and followed the Academic Integrity policies outlined in the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters.
If you feel ill before your online exam
If you are feeling ill before your exam, you should not begin the exam and instead submit a petition to defer the exam.
IF YOU BECOME ILL DURING an Online EXAM
- If you become ill during your online exam and you are unable to complete your exam due to circumstances beyond your control, you should inform your instructor immediately and submit any work completed (e.g., save and log out of exam, email solutions to instructor).
- If you abandoned your online exam due to acute illness or injury, your supporting documentation must include the U of T Verification of Student Illness or Injury form (VOI) dated for the day of your exam.
- Visit an authorized medical practitioner to complete the VOI Form.
- Have it signed on the day of your exam. Visit the Exam Rewrite Petition page for more information about documentation.
- You you must submit a petition to request a rewrite of your final exam within 5 days of the end of the exam period.
- Consult your College Registrar’s Office for advice and support throughout this process.
Visit the Accessible Timeline.