How many exams should I give in a class?

Throughout the semester, instructors are expected to evaluate their students' progress. Most often, this progress is evaluated with at least two exams, a mid-term and final exam. The university expects the mid-term to be administered, graded and returned to the student before the last day to drop with a "W." A final exam or final paper must be given in every class. The time and date of the final exam is set by the Office of the Registrar and may not be changed.

Unannounced Quizzes

In addition to the scheduled exams, many instructors use unannounced quizzes to ensure regular attendance and timely completion of reading assignments. The use of unannounced quizzes is supported by the Dean's Office; however, the course syllabus should clearly indicate that unannounced quizzes will be administered.

Exam Content and Style

The content and style (essay, short answer, multiple choice and so forth) of exams is at the discretion of the instructor. Nevertheless, instructors should inform their students of the content and style of every exam. This should be done verbally and in writing (i.e., the course syllabus).

Make-up Exams

The university recognizes that there are legitimate circumstances that may prevent a student from taking an exam. They include:

• Documented illness
• Religious observance
• Participation in a university activity at the request of a university official
• Compelling circumstances beyond the student's control

When possible, the student should notify the instructor well in advance of the absence. If prior notification is not possible, the student should contact the instructor as soon as possible afterwards.

When any of these situations occur, instructors should permit the student to take a make-up exam. The following guidelines should be used in the administration of make-up exams:

• The make-up exam should be administered at a mutually agreeable time and date.
• The make-up exam cannot conflict with the student's class or work schedules.
• The make-up exam should be administered at the University of Maryland.
• The make-up exam should cover the same material as the original exam, but different questions may and should be used to ensure the integrity of the exam.

Academic Integrity and Examinations

Ensuring academic integrity is the responsibility of every member of the University of Maryland community. There are several steps that instructors can take to minimize academic dishonesty during exams, although the exact arrangements are at the instructor's discretion:

Students may be required to leave all notebooks, pagers, cellular phones, calculators, textbooks and so forth with the exam proctor.

• Students may be assigned seats.
• Proctors may check student identification.
• When possible, students should be separated from one another by at least one seat.
• Multiple versions of the same exam may be distributed.
• Only non-student clerical staff should be involved in the preparation of exams.
• Instructors should not leave copies of the exam in their office overnight.
• Instructors should save copies of the exam on floppy disks which can be secured or taken home. Never save the exam on a networked drive.

While some of these measures may seem extreme, all precautions should be taken to maintain academic integrity.

Exam Scheduling Conflicts

Emergency Situations During Regular Examinations

If you discover a problem in a classroom (e.g., leaking water or fire hazard), you should call Work Control at 5-2222 and describe the problem. In the case of an emergency (bomb threat, fire alarm, etc.), the instructor must evacuate the classroom. During the final exam period, the instructor can move the class to the Cole Field House and complete the exam. At other times, instructors can reschedule the exam or administer a new exam.

More than Three Final Examinations on the Same Day

There is an official campus policy for a student who is scheduled to take more than three final examinations on the same day. Faculty members should accommodate a student in this situation if the student has contacted the faculty member to make alternative arrangements. The schedule of final examinations may be found here.

Final Examination Scheduling Guidelines

The Office of the Registrar attempts to ensure there are no final exam conflicts. Courses that meet at the same time during the semester will have their final exams scheduled at the same time period; therefore, conflicts should be minimized. Changing the date or time of the exam frustrates these efforts. Changes to the official final exam schedule should only be made under exceptional circumstances. Such changes must have the written approval of the department chairperson and the dean, and be submitted by the third week of the semester. The final exam room is the same room used throughout the semester unless the instructor is notified otherwise.

Students Not Officially Enrolled

Faculty members should not grade the course work, papers or exams of a student who is not officially enrolled in the course. These students should be referred to the director of undergraduate programs or to the departmental advisor of the class being offered. Students must be registered by the end of the schedule adjustment period; otherwise, they should not be allowed to attend class.

Student Challenge of the Final Grade

Students have been given the right to review their final examinations within one semester of the examination date. Faculty members are required to retain final exams and papers for at least one semester (the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences recommends at least one calendar year). When requested by the student, faculty members are required to review the final exam or paper with the student in a timely manner. If a faculty member is not in residence at the University of Maryland, all final exams and papers must be left with the director of undergraduate studies or the department chair.