Special Examination

A Special Examination is any examination other than an examination scheduled during the regular or supplemental examination periods. A Special Examination may be offered only with the approval of the Academic Advising Office of the faculty in which the student is registered (Home Faculty). This approval is made in consultation with the course instructor and department chair.

In accordance with university policy, students who miss a final examination scheduled by the Office of the Registrar during an official examination period must submit a request for Academic Consideration with supporting documentation.

If a student is approved by the Academic Advising Office to write a Special Examination (SPC), and the final examination is the only outstanding course component, an SPC will be added to the student’s academic record. The instructor will schedule the Special Examination in accordance with university policy.

Students and instructors should be aware of the following:

  • A student may be required to write up to two Special Examinations in a single day.
  • A Special Examination must normally be written no later than 30 days after the end of the examination period. An extension may be granted only in exceptional circumstances and with prior approval from the Academic Advising Office. 
  • A student is typically allowed one Special Examination after missing the original final examination and receiving approved Academic Consideration.
  • If a student misses the Special Examination and receives approved Academic Consideration, the student will be withdrawn from the course without academic penalty (WDN).
  • If extenuating circumstances, such as a serious prolonged illness, from the time of the original final exam to the special exam, prevented the student from performing any academic duties, the student may appeal to the Associate Dean for an opportunity to write the final examination the next time the course is offered. Appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • If an appeal is granted to allow a missed SPC exam to be written in the next offering of the course, the student’s maximum course load will be reduced for the term in which the examination is deferred, as outlined in the Definitions of Types of Examinations policy. 
  • If a student misses the Special Examination and Academic Consideration is not requested or is not approved, the student will receive a grade of zero on the examination.
  • If an SPC appears on a student’s academic record for a course that is a prerequisite for another course, registration in the subsequent course will require special permission from both the course instructor and the Academic Advising Office until the SPC is replaced with a satisfactory grade.
  • If most courses taken in an academic year have SPC grades, registration in additional courses will be subject to the approval of the Academic Advising Office until the SPC grades are replaced with satisfactory grades. 

 Examples

  • Original final examination missed and Academic Consideration approved → one Special Examination is granted. 
  • Special Examination missed and Academic Consideration approved → withdrawal from the course without academic penalty (WDN). In extenuating circumstances, the student may appeal to write the final examination the next time the course is offered.
  • Special Examination missed and Academic Consideration not requested or not approved → a grade of zero on the examination. 

Mid-Year Examinations for Full Courses (1.0 Credit)

Similar to final examinations, in courses with a makeup exam a student is typically allowed one makeup mid-year examination after missing the original mid-year examination and obtaining academic consideration.

If a student also misses the makeup mid-year examination and receives approved Academic Consideration, the student will be withdrawn from the course without academic penalty, following the same process that applies to final examinations.

If a student misses the makeup midterm and Academic Consideration is not requested or is not approved, the student will receive a grade of zero on the makeup midterm.