EXAM POLICIES & SCHEDULES
Current J.D. Exam Schedules
Note the Fall 2025 J.D. Final Exam period is December 3-16.
Note the Spring 2026 J.D. Final Exam period is April 17-30.
Exam Policies
The policy of anonymity on examinations is intended to protect the student taking the examination, the professor grading the examination, and all others who may be affected by grades given on the examination (including other students). Students share responsibility to maintain anonymity on examinations. Violation of the anonymity policy standing alone, however, will not be the basis for disciplinary action. Seminars, clinical courses and other courses for which law school credit is offered but which do not require exams will be exempt from anonymous grading procedures.
College Council – November 30, 1977
No classes (regular or make-up), exams, or other work can be scheduled or assigned for completion during the reading period, with the exception of voluntary review sessions.
Students will be issued an exam number each semester to be used for identification purposes on exams in lieu of names and/or university ID number (uNID). Midterm and final exam numbers will be emailed from the Law Registrar in advance of midterm assessments and the final exam period, respectively. Students taking exams must read and acknowledge the honor code statement prior to each exam.
The instructor should give clear notice to students in the course syllabus as to their exam procedures and allowable materials. If it is unclear as to what materials are allowed, students must seek clarification from the professor before taking an exam. Students must adhere to any instructions that accompany the exam unless instructed otherwise by the exam administrator. Students should also review information sent about the exam by the Law Registrar.
Students assume the risk of all technical difficulties that may arise during an exam administered using computers or other electronic devices. The law school is not responsible for technical support during exams.
If an exam is administered in person, students should arrive in the designated exam room 15 minutes before the exam is scheduled to begin. Scratch paper will be provided for general use. Students may leave the room at any time during the exam, but must not take any materials from the room and may not consult any materials outside the exam room. Students must follow the instructions given to them regarding how to use the exam software or the learning management platform to ensure proper identification and submission of their exams.
College Council – April 12, 1989; April 27, 2000
The following guidelines indicate circumstances that may justify modification of an individual's examination schedule, that are not related to ADA accommodations:
- The student is or has been ill or otherwise incapacitated or is disabled. Documentation of illness, incapacity, or disability must be provided with the Petition to Reschedule Exam(s).
- There are extraordinary personal circumstances that directly affect the student, such as the severe illness of a child or other immediate member of the family (documentation required);
- The student is scheduled to take two exams that are not separated by at least eighteen (18) hours from the scheduled end time of the first exam to the scheduled start time of the second exam;
- The student is scheduled to take examinations on four (4) or more consecutive days at any time during the exam period;
- The student presents other documented compelling factors similar to the above.
The above guidelines do not create an absolute right to reschedule, and administrative as well as faculty approval is necessary for a proposed change. In addition to the above guidelines, students have the right to not take exams on a religious holiday as provided in the University regulations. Students who believe that they have individual circumstances that justify changing their final exam schedule shall complete and submit a Petition to Reschedule Exam(s) to the Dean of Student Affairs prior to the last day of classes for the semester. Students who believe that they have individual circumstances that justify changing a midterm exam shall complete and submit a Petition to Reschedule Exam to the Dean of Student Affairs at least one week before the midterm exam. Students should obtain the faculty member's approval and signature on the Petition prior to submitting the Petition to the Dean of Student Affairs. Rescheduling will be at the earliest time consistent with these rules, including if possible, time slots prior to the scheduled time. In an emergency, when prior notice is not possible, the Dean for Student Affairs may make appropriate accommodations. Accommodation of routine travel arrangements is not considered to be a compelling factor unless the semester exam schedule was amended after the beginning of the semester and the amendment directly affects the student.
College Council – April 12, 1989; November 6, 1996; April 9, 1997; April 27, 2000
Students who, because of illness or exigent circumstances arising after the beginning of the exam period, believe they cannot take one or more scheduled exams shall notify (or have their representative notify) the Dean of Student Affairs prior to the start of any of their exams in order to explain the circumstance and obtain approval to be excused. Excused students will be allowed to reschedule the missed exam(s).
College Council – April 12, 1989
A student who, without prior notification and excuse, arrives late at a required examination will not be allowed extra time to compensate for the late arrival unless the student demonstrates that there was good cause for the late arrival and that prior notification and excuse could not reasonably be given under the circumstances. A student who arrives late for an examination must notify the Dean of Student Affairs to receive exam materials and a determination regarding allowance of extra time to complete the examination.
College Council April 12, 1989
A student who, without prior notification and excuse, fails to appear for or take a required examination at the regularly scheduled time will not be allowed to reschedule the missed examination unless both the Dean of Student Affairs and course professor agree that the failure to appear was due to good cause, and that prior notification was not practicable under the circumstances. Students who are not allowed to reschedule a missed examination will receive an “E” as the grade for the missed examination.
College Council- April 12, 1989
Students are responsible to reschedule any examination from which they have been excused. The time and date for make-up exams will be set in consultation with the faculty and the Dean of Student Affairs. Students who wish to reschedule a make-up exam must submit a completed Petition to Reschedule Exam(s) to the Dean of Student Affairs.
College Council – April 12, 1989
For each examination, students are responsible for ensuring that they have signed and dated the exam roster and properly identified and submitted their exam and entire exam answer immediately following completion of the exam or when time is called. If a student has signed and dated the exam roster but no exam was logged in for that student, the student bears the burden of showing that he or she took the exam, properly identified it and timely and properly submitted it. The College of Law Academic Appeals Committee will adjudicate any dispute arising under these circumstances. If a student meets his or her burden, the student may elect to take a Credit (CR) for the exam or take a make-up exam for a grade. If the student fails to meet his or her burden, the student will receive an “E” for the exam grade.
A student who has not signed and dated the exam roster and for whom no exam can be located is presumed to have failed to appear unless prior notification and excuse was obtained.
The course professor reserves the right not to grade an exam that is improperly identified or improperly submitted.
College Council – April 12, 1989
Students may appeal an administrative or faculty decision made under any College of Law Examination Policy that they believe is inaccurate or in violation of any of their rights by submitting a written petition to the S.J. Quinney College of Law Academic Appeals Committee.
College Council – April 12, 1989
First year law students whose native language is not English and who have not completed a post-secondary degree at a school in which the primary medium of instruction was English may apply to the office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs for additional time to complete in-class final examinations. The term “post-secondary degree” means a program of study which leads to the Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in any post-bachelor’s degree. Additional time up to twenty minutes for each hour of in-class examination may, in the discretion of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and class professor, be granted. Applications for additional time must be submitted prior to the last day of class each semester.
College Council – April 5, 2016