Final Exam Information
Final examinations (policy 44-00) fulfill two important academic objectives: student integration of instructional material, and end-of-semester evaluation of student achievement. However, valid means other than the final examination also accomplish these objectives (e.g., term paper, final project report, take-home examination, etc.). Course instructors determine which of these methods is best.
Course instructors are expected to:
- Offer a full schedule of instruction.
- Schedule no comprehensive examinations during the last week of classes. Quizzes and narrowly limited tests worth no more than 10% of the course grade may be given.
- Schedule final examinations worth more than 10% of the course grade during the established final examination period.
- Set a due date during the final examination period for alternative means of evaluation (term papers, final projects, etc.) worth more than 10% of the course grade. Alternative means of evaluation worth 10% or less of the course grade may be due prior to the last day of the course.
Students and faculty at University Park are provided personalized final exam schedules. These schedules are available approximately the fifth week of the semester and are available on the eLion system. Plans to leave campus at the end of the semester should not be made until the personalized final exam schedules are reviewed.
Students at locations other than University Park should check the campus Registrar's Web site for the final exam schedule. Questions concerning exam information should be directed to the campus Registrar's office.