Final Exams

Also known as “dead week,” the week before finals is free of major or final exams, except for practical tests at the end of lab periods. And it’s not true that you won’t have to turn in assignments during free week. If your instructors have assigned paper projects well in advance, they may be due during this week. Make sure you plan ahead.

Finals for course sections that don’t meet during the last weeks of the term—for example, first eight week classes—will be held during the last class meeting. All other finals will be given during the last five days of the term.

If you have more than three finals scheduled on the same day, you can take steps to have your exam schedule adjusted. First, check with your instructors to find out if you can schedule a make-up exam. If not, do the following:

1. Check the exam schedule to find out which three exams come first during the day.
2. For any exams that follow the first three, make sure you let your instructors know by the middle of the semester.

Or, if you choose, you can take all finals as they are scheduled.

If you have an exam conflict, report to the dean of your school to find out what to do.

If you miss a final exam, even if you have a passing grade in a course, you’ll fail the course. The only exception is if your instructor has reason to believe your absence was out of your control.

If you know you’re going to miss a final, or you miss one for reasons you didn’t expect, talk to your instructor as soon as possible. Your instructor is the one who will make the final decision on whether or not you can make arrangements to satisfy the course requirements.