Sidney Smith Commons

Online resource for A & S students

What can I expect during exams?

In addition to studying, here are some guidelines which can help you during an exam and avoid an academic offence:

Check the date

Make sure to check and double check the exam schedule and add the dates to your calendar once the final exam schedule is published. If you are unsure, ask your instructor.

In the days prior to your exam, you should double check the dates, times, and locations of your exams to ensure you arrive on time at the correct location.

Be on time

You can have exams scheduled at different times of the day, including evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Final exam dates and times cannot be changed except in cases of an exam scheduling conflict or religious observance conflict.

In-person exams: Make sure you are at the exam room at least 15 minutes before the start of the exam. If you are running late, speak with an exam facilitator in the exam room as soon as you arrive. They will be able to discuss your options with you.

Online exams: Make sure you are logged on at least 15 minutes before the start of your exam.

Know where to go

In-person exams: Make sure you know the building and the room of your exam. The exam schedule uses two-letter codes to indicate the building your exam will be held in followed by the room name or number. Use the examination building codes list to familiarize yourself with the locations.

Online exams: Find a quiet space for your exam. Pick a comfortable spot with minimal distractions. Make sure you let people you are living with know that you are writing an exam.

DON’T FORGET YOUR PHOTO ID FOR IN-PERSON EXAMS

By exam time, you will most likely be glued to your TCard. But in case you forget it, you can also bring a different type of photo ID to your exam. You will need to present one of the following photo IDs with a current photo and signature:

  • Current University of Toronto TCard 
  • Up-to-date passport (any country, in English) 
  • Current driver’s license (any country, in English)  
  • Government issued photo ID (any province or territory)     

Students who do not provide a valid photo ID before the start of the exam will not be allowed to take the final exam and will need to speak to their College Registrar’s Office to discuss next steps.  

Put away your belongings

In-person exams: You will be asked to put away your coat, bags, electronic devices and other belongings. During the exam, don’t reach into your bag or pocket as that may be considered an academic offence. 

Online exams: Before the exam, organize all the resources you are permitted to use during the exam. Make sure you are familiar with your instructor’s guidelines regarding permitted aids. 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.

Turn off and put away your cell phone and smartwatch for in-person exams

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.

Focus on your own exam

Participating in group chats or collaborating with other students on an exam may be considered an academic offence. Similarly, talking to other students and looking at other students’ exams can be considered an academic offence. It’s best to play it safe and focus on your own exam.  

If your computer stops working during an online exam

  • Stay calm.
  • Contact the Information Commons help desk at 416-978-HELP (4357) or help.desk@utoronto.ca for technical support. Ensure you take screenshots of your issue that include the date and time.
  • Notify your instructor immediately. If writing on Quercus, your responses are automatically saved as you progress through the exam.
  • Note down what happened so you can recall the information later.
  • If you have lost internet access, attempt to use another device (e.g., cellphone) to send your email and take a screenshot or photo of the email that includes the date and time. Send the email as soon as possible.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY ILL

If you are experiencing a medical emergency and cannot make it to the exam, or you are feeling too sick to write your exam, do not begin your exam. You can submit a petition to defer your exam. This request is to write your exam during an upcoming exam period.

In-person exams

  • If you experience a medical emergency during an exam and must abandon your exam, you are required to inform the exam facilitator before leaving the room. They will ask you to sign a form and will provide you information on 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).

Online exams

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MAJOR DISRUPTION DURING AN ONLINE EXAM (e.g., fire alarm)

Should you encounter a major disruption, such as a fire alarm, during an online final 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)

Study, study and study

Check out the tips on how to study for exams or see a Learning Strategist to help you study for exams.