Exams, Grades, & Policies

Exams

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Questions about exams should be directed to Academic Services, (617) 495-0977.

Absences for religious reasons

A student may request that an exam be rescheduled without penalty if the exam is scheduled on the day of the student’s religious holiday. Students are expected to anticipate conflicts with religious holidays and contact Academic Services no later than 2 weeks before the exam. Accommodations are not possible if the conflict is reported after the exam.

Final exams

A final exam, paper, or project is required in all courses. Seminars and workshops in which students are evaluated on the basis of reports and ongoing weekly assignments are the exceptions to this policy. Only registered undergraduate- and graduate-credit students are allowed to take final exams and submit final papers and projects.

Final exams are administered in on-campus courses at regular class meetings during the exam period listed in the calendar. Instructors inform students of the exact date of their exams. Final exams in online-only courses are set individually for each course. In online-only offerings of Harvard College courses, final exams may be scheduled for a day that is outside the Extension School final exam period. Students who are unable to take their exams at the scheduled times may not make separate arrangements with their instructors to take the exam early or at a later date; grades will not be accepted for students who do this. Students who cannot take their exams at the scheduled time must appeal for a make-up final exam.

Students who attend final exams and are unable to complete them for any reason are assigned a failing grade (E), or zero, for the incomplete portion of the exam. These students are not allowed to complete the exam at another time or appeal for a make-up exam. Any student who attends a final exam and does not submit a bluebook or exam sheet is assigned an E for that exam. Students who do not withdraw from courses by the withdrawal deadline and do not take their final exams are assigned a failing grade for final exams.

Take-home exams

Students who miss the deadline for a take-home exam should call their instructor immediately. A student may be required to appeal for a proctored make-up exam or to request an extension-of-time (EXT) grade and submit a new take-home exam, or they may be assigned a failing grade for the final exam depending on the instructor’s policy for take-home exams.

Exam time conflicts

An exam conflict occurs when a student has 2 exams scheduled for exactly the same day and time. Students with such conflicts must complete the exam conflict form and submit it to Academic Services at least 2 weeks before the exam period begins. Students will take both exams on the same day; however 1 exam will be rescheduled for a different time on that same day. Please note: 2 exams scheduled back-to-back on the same day is not considered a conflict.

Make-up exams

Students who cannot take their final exams as scheduled because of documented serious illness or compelling, unexpected circumstances may appeal for a make-up final exam. Students must provide documentation of the reason for missing the exam and be able to successfully complete the course for which the make-up exam is requested. They also must have records of good attendance and participation.

Students may appeal for make-up exams within 3 days of the missed exams by submitting make-up final exam forms. Forms must be submitted by December 24 for fall courses or May 19 for spring courses.

Original documentation explaining the reason for missing the final exam must accompany the appeal. Documentation must be on official letterhead and include specific dates. Medical documentation must be based on a physical examination within 3 days of the missed exam and must include an explanation of the illness relevant to the student’s inability to take the exam.

A $25 nonrefundable processing fee for each make-up exam requested must be included with the appeal. Students are advised to call Academic Services before submitting appeals. Make-up exams are not available for Institute for English Language courses.

The make-up exams are administered at 51 Brattle Street on Saturday, January 23, 2010, for fall courses and Saturday, May 26, 2010, for spring courses. A student who does not take the exam as scheduled is assigned a failing grade for the exam.

Exams in absentia

Students who relocate before or during the final exam period may appeal to take their exam in absentia at institutions in their new location. In addition to following the appeal procedures for make-up exams, students must include with their appeals the name, title, business address, and daytime telephone number of the person who will proctor their exams.

Exam proctors can be teachers, professors, or administrators in local secondary schools, colleges, universities, or testing centers. They cannot be family members, friends, or co-workers.