Final Examination Policies

Final Examination Policies

Broadcast and Online Course Finals

Statewide Campus daytime broadcast courses should follow the published final schedule, unless given in Campus testing centers. Finals for all evening broadcast courses beginning after 4:30 p.m. should be given during the first scheduled broadcast meeting of finals week. Online course finals should be given anytime during the finals week. All course finals are expected to be finished by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the session/semester.

Testing Center Finals

Finals given in campus testing centers must be submitted to Testing Services at least 2 business days prior to the exam. Students are encouraged to schedule exams as early as possible. Exams should allow students a 2-day window and be scheduled as follows to minimize conflicts and meet demand:

Excessive Finals on One Day

Students who have three or more finals scheduled during one day and who desire to have one of those tests moved to another day during the final exam period must: (1) obtain a copy of their official registration that is dated no more than 7 days prior to the beginning of the first test day, and (2) seek permission from one of the instructors to change the hour of their final examination. Adverse decisions from all instructors may be appealed through the deans of the colleges involved.

Common Tests Not Otherwise Scheduled

These must be arranged by department heads and staff members who teach multiple sections of the same class. The college deans (who plan to use the open periods for multiple-section class tests) will assign a member or members of the applicable department to clear the time for their tests with the Scheduling Office (rooms@usu.edu). Rooms must be cleared by midterm for multiple-section tests.

No-Test Days Policy

For classes that meet for a full semester, a five-day period designated as “no-test” days precedes final examinations. During this time, no major examinations, including final examinations will be given in order that students may concentrate on preparation for duly scheduled final examinations. Approved exceptions include: final papers, weekly chapter quizzes, quizzes, projects, and examinations associated with a lab that does not meet during final examinations. The No-Test Days policy does not apply to classes that are part of a 7-week session or to classes offered during the summer term.

Where possible, it is highly recommended that due dates for papers, projects, or assignments that are worth a significant portion of a student’s grade have deadlines that occur the week prior to No-Test Days and two weeks prior to final examinations. This not only honors the spirit of no-test days, but allows faculty more flexibility to grade these assignments before final grades are due.