Policies Governing Final Examinations

  • No instructor may hold a final examination nor require the submission of a take-home final exam except during the period in which final examinations are scheduled; when necessary, exceptions to this policy may be granted for postponed examinations.
  • No final examinations may be scheduled during the last week of classes or on reading days.
  • No student may be required to take more than two final examinations on any calendar day during the period in which final examinations are scheduled. If more than two are scheduled, the student may postpone the middle exam. If a take-home final exam is due on a day when two final examinations are scheduled, the take-home exam shall be postponed by one day.
  • Examinations that are postponed because of conflicts with other examinations, or because more than two examinations are scheduled in the same day, may be taken at another time during the final examinations period if the faculty member and student can agree on that time. Otherwise, they must be taken during the official period for postponed examinations: the first week of the following spring or fall semesters.
  • Examinations that are postponed because of illness, a death in the family, for religious observance or some other unusual event, may be taken only during the official periods: the first week of the following spring and fall semesters. Students who have such an issue should contact the College Office immediately. Instructors in all courses must be willing to offer a make-up examination to all students who are excused from the final examination.
  • No classes or required class activities may be held during the reading period.
  • Final exams for College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) courses must be given on the regular class meeting night during the week of final examinations. No change in scheduling is permitted without unanimous consent of all students in the class and the director of LPS. An LPS final exam may not be administered during the last week of class or on a reading day.

For the full policy on final exams, refer to the PennBook.