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Examinations: General Information
In addition to the general examination policies listed here, you should consult the faculty sections of this publication for particular regulations. You will be informed by the end of the Course Change period of the evaluation method used in each course.
Every student has a right to write term papers, examinations and theses in English or in French except in courses where knowledge of a language is one of the objectives of the course.
You are not permitted to write an examination in any course unless you have fulfilled the requirements of the course to the satisfaction of the instructor and your Associate Dean or Director. Once you have presented yourself for an examination or test, you must submit all written work to the invigilator before leaving.
You must have your valid McGill student ID card with you to write an examination. Forgetfulness is not an acceptable excuse.
You are reminded that cheating in any examination is considered a serious offence that could lead to expulsion from the University. Students are not permitted to have in their possession, or to use, any unauthorized materials during an examination. This includes electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, PDAs and other web-access devices. Unauthorized items found on the student or desk area during an exam will be confiscated and turned over to the Disciplinary Officer.
Responses on multiple-choice examinations are normally checked by the Exam Security Computer Monitoring Program. The program detects pairs of students with unusually similar answer patterns on multiple-choice examinations. Data generated by the program can be used as admissible evidence either to initiate or corroborate an investigation or a charge of cheating under Section 16 of the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.
All students are responsible for knowing the University Examination Regulations and the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures. The regulations are normally posted during the examination period and are available at: www.mcgill.ca/student-records/exam/regulations. Both may be obtained from your Student Affairs Office.
You can find information about issues related to academic integrity at www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest.
Note for the Faculty of Engineering: You should also refer to the Engineering website for more information at www.mcgill.ca/engineering/student/sao/policies/examinations/examination.
Class Tests
Class Tests
Members of the teaching staff may give interim class tests from time to time.
Special Examination Facilities for the Disabled
Special Examination Facilities for the Disabled
If you have a permanent or temporary disability, consult the Coordinator, Office for Students with Disabilities, about the possibility of arranging special examination facilities. For more information see: www.mcgill.ca/osd.
Credit by Examination
Credit by Examination
In certain exceptional cases and in certain faculties, you can apply to the Associate Dean or Director to write a final examination in order to obtain credit in a course that you were not registered in. This is possible only in those courses where there is no other assessment except the final examination.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2010-2011 (last updated Apr. 22, 2010) (disclaimer)