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- Know in advance how your instructor will be ready and able to communicate with you during the exam. If they provide an email or phone number, write this out on a piece of paper so it is at your fingertips (even if your computer crashes).
- Understand the test guidelines in advance (what kind of test is it, how much time you have to complete it, do you have to take it at a specific time or is there a window of time, do you have to complete the exam in one sitting or can you take a break, etc.).
- Ask your instructor any and all questions - even if you think they are silly - before the exam so you can focus on writing the exam.
- Get your space ready and be prepared with beverages, snacks, a blanket/extra hoodie, materials that are allowed for you to use during the exam, etc..
- Consider telling your roommates / family your exam schedule, so they don't disturb you (and so they aren't streaming videos or music at the same time which can cause problems with wifi capacity).
- Determine if you can access back-up internet if yours fails - eg. accessing a neighbour's wifi, or a hotspot.
- Familiarize yourself with the exam software that is required for your exam(s), and ensure it is downloaded and ready to use.
- If something does go wrong - take a deep breath - pause - and take it one step at a time to fix the problem (and document what you are doing along the way).
- Students requiring formal accommodations can seek assistance from Accessibility Resources.
- Students with timetabling conflicts (e.g., two exams scheduled at the same time) should inform their instructors to request an alternative arrangement. Check your exam schedule here.
- For other questions or concerns about remotely-delivered final exams, consult the FAQ provided by the Academic Success Centre. Find answers to questions like: Where can I find help to prepare for and take remote exams? OR I'm worried that I will experience computer or technical problems during an exam. What can I do? OR What do I do if I encounter technical computer or eClass problems during an exam? OR What do I do if my accommodations are not correctly set up during my exams?
Please be prepared to follow the instructions provided to you by your instructor, have back up connectivity and recording options available during all your assessments, as per the guidelines for resolving technical issues during assessments and exams.
Exam dates, times, and locations
This information is listed in Bear Tracks under Academics > My Academics > Exam Schedule.
Scheduling conflicts
If you have questions about your exam schedule, please contact Student Connect (select "Exam schedule and grading" as the subject).
Absence from final examinations will be excused only in a case of illness or other extreme circumstance. A student who is ill or suffering from severe domestic affliction is advised not to sit for a final examination. For more information, review What to do when you are sick (students).
A student who has missed a final examination because of illness or domestic affliction or who is obliged to be absent from an examination for some other compelling reason (including religious convictions) may apply for a deferred examination.
Please see the Academic Regulations, Attendance section of the University Calendar regarding Missed Term Work and the Academic Regulations, Examinations (Exams), Deferred Final Exams section regarding Absence from Exams.
The University of Alberta places a very high value on academic integrity. Our Code of Student Behaviour outlines what students are prohibited from doing, provides the rationale for those rules, and possible sanctions for violations.
Students are expected to engage in the highest level of honesty in their work. It is possible, however, to violate academic integrity even if you believed you were being honest. The onus is on students to understand the University of Alberta's expectations regarding academic integrity. Not knowing is not an excuse.
If you have questions about what is allowed and what is not, remember these general rules:
- Give credit when citing sources, including when you use someone else's words, ideas or work.
- Refrain from using aids, notes, technology, or assistance in assessments (including exams) unless you receive specific permission.
- Ask your instructor if you are unsure of what is/is not allowed for a particular test or assignment.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism as defined in the Code of Student Behaviour:
30.3.2(1) Plagiarism: No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student's own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
While it looks straight-forward, there are a number of things in this definition that are important to understand:
- Any time you hand in something with your name on it, it is presumed to have been generated entirely by you unless you indicate otherwise.
- Any content you use that you did not generate yourself (ideas, graphics, photographs, charts, statistics, etc.) must be cited.
- While plagiarism in written work is certainly the most common, it is also possible to use others' words, ideas, images or data in any kind of assignment: oral presentations, blogs, paintings or graphic arts, even interpretive dance!
- Our definition of plagiarism does not take into account whether or not the act was intentional. The onus is on the student to make sure that all borrowed work is cited. Accidentally forgetting to cite a source is still plagiarism.
- The definition of plagiarism applies to group projects as well. If one person includes plagiarized materials in the project, the entire group has submitted the work under their own names.
U of A Libraries Resources:
This information was curated by Undergraduate Student Services in the Faculty of Arts.