Exam Guidelines for Students
The Examinations and Timetabling department within the Office of the Registrar provides the following guidelines for students:
Get Prepared
Know your exam dates, times and locations
Your personal exam schedule can be found in Bear Tracks under the My Schedule & Exam tile; Final Exam Schedule page.
Handle any scheduling conflicts
If you have questions about your examination schedule, contact the Student Service Centre via the Student Service Portal (select "General Inquiry").
Get familiar with campus
Give yourself some time to locate your exam spaces if you’re not familiar with them. To locate buildings on any of our campuses, consult Campus Maps.
If you are writing your exam in any of the following buildings, take note:
North Campus
- AKA the Butterdome
- Enter and exit using the upper entrance at the south end of the Van Vliet Complex
- Located on the second floor of the Van Vliet Complex
- Enter and exit by the north doors
- Located in the Education Centre South
- Enter and exit by the southwest doors
FSJ Gymnasium
- Located in the Pavilion McMahon
- Located in the Convocation Centre
Guidelines for exam day
Arrive on time
There will be no admission to examination rooms after the exam has been in progress for 30 minutes.
For exams held in the Universiade Pavilion, arrive 20 minutes before the exam time. For most other venues, arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your exam.
Seating arrangements
Where more than one examination is being written in the same room, the general seating arrangements are included in the exam schedule. Take note of the arrangements before you arrive.
Admission to the examination
You must bring suitable identification (your student ONEcard) that you can produce for inspection by the invigilator when requested.
Plan Ahead
Visit the restroom in advance: Once you have taken a seat in the gym, you will not be allowed to leave until the exam is underway and 30 minutes have elapsed, so please visit the restroom prior to entering the gym.
Pack light: Avoid bringing extra items into the exam room if possible. If you do, please place your coat/jacket on the back of your chair and stow bags, backpacks and any unauthorized materials and devices under your chair. Do not access any of these items during the exam.
Keep devices off and away: All unauthorized electronic devices must be powered off and stored out of reach, so please ensure your cell phone is turned off once you enter the gym and stowed away when you take your seat.
Online Exams
To gain admission to the examination, you can use your virtual ONECard for identity validation. Other identification may be used at the discretion of the instructor.
For additional information regarding online exams, please refer to the Student FAQs for Remote Delivery. If you have additional questions or need assistance, contact success@ualberta.ca.
Absences
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. Review the What to do when you are sick (Students) guide for more information.
A student who has missed a final examination because of illness or domestic affliction or 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.