University Registrar

OFFICE OF THE

University Registrar

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Exam FAQs

This section contains frequently asked questions regarding the process of exams at Queen's.

Please note: You must have a Queen’s Student Photo ID Card to gain entrance to an exam room.  YOU MUST BRING YOUR QUEEN'S STUDENT PHOTO ID TO ALL OF YOUR EXAMS.  Students writing an exam without a Queen's Student Photo ID will be assessed a fine of $50.00 per exam.

Gordon Hall, Room 110 | 613-533-2101 exams@queensu.ca

Exams at Mitchell Hall

In December 2018, the newly opened Mitchell Hall welcomed students writing exams at Queen’s.

The new facility includes an Examination Centre (located on Level 3 - Suite 300 -  at the front of the building, in the southwest corner) that includes a total of 71 private and semi-private spaces for accommodated exams. In addition, there are 2 rooms for small classroom accommodated exams on Level 1 (Rooms 126 and 130, on the north west side of the building).

Main exam venues in Mitchell Hall include:

  • Gym 3 - located on the second floor, at the rear of the building. Please enter via the South entrance (Union Street) and stay to the west side of the mezzanine to access Gym 3.
  • Gym 4 - located on the second floor, at the rear of the building. Please enter via the South entrance (Union Street) and stay to the east side of the mezzanine, then turn left and head straight through to the end of the hallway.
  • Gym 5 - located in the basement (Lower Level 1). Please enter via the North entrance (opposite the ARC, beside the JDUC), take Stair G down and then bear right and head straight along to the end of the corridor.

If you have questions about the new Examination Centre, or exams at Mitchell Hall, please contact us at: exams@queensu.ca
Where is the Exam schedule posted?

The Fall 2019 Exam Schedule will be posted on October 11th
Students:

Students can view their exam schedule in the SOLUS Student Centre. It contains both the times and on-campus locations of each exam session. Instructions can be found on the Exam Timetable page.
Faculty:

Faculty can see their exam schedules in the Faculty Centre through PeopleSoft. Instructions can be found on the Exam Timetable page
Administrative Staff:

Administrative staff should refer to the final exam timetable sent by email from the Exams Office.
What are the exam regulations?

      ** Please also visit our Exam Regulations Page for more information**

  1. If a student does not have a Queen's Student Photo ID Card at an exam, the procedure as outlined on our Exam Regulations page (under 'Missing Queen's Student Photo ID') will apply.
  2. Any candidate arriving at an exam hall after the beginning of the exam will receive only the remaining time in which to write the exam. The late candidate's paper will be marked only at the discretion of the Faculty.
  3. No candidate will be allowed to leave the exam hall within thirty minutes of the start time of the exam.
  4. No paper may be detached from an exam book. A candidate may not take an examination book or any part of an exam book or scrap paper that is given by the Proctor from the exam hall.
  5. Candidates who have not left their exam table prior to the final fifteen minutes of the exam will be required to remain at their exam table until dismissed by the Chief Proctor.
  6. Students must submit information about illness or other circumstances affecting their work to the relevant Faculty within twenty-four hours of the exam in the course concerned.

Failure to comply with the regulations listed above or with the instructions of an exam proctor may result in a written report by the Chief Proctor which will be distributed to the instructor of the course, the Dean of the relevant Faculty, and the Exams Office.

Exam Regulations Revised: 27 March 2006
What is / is not allowed during an exam?

1. No articles such as textbooks, notes, books of tables, data sheets, graphs, paper, written material, calculators, etc., may be taken into the exam hall unless authorized by the instructor in writing at least 3 days before the exam.

2. Food and recording or playback devices are not permitted in an exam hall.

  • Food may be consumed in the hallway. Please notify a proctor to be escorted to the hallway if you need to eat.
  • Beverages are permitted in an exam venue, provided the drink is brought in a re-sealable container (items such as cans and/or disposable coffee cups are prohibited).

3. The use of communication and electronic devices with memory and/or audio capabilities and/or web access is prohibited during an examination. All electronic devices must be turned off and placed underneath the candidate’s seat and must not be used for any reason.

4. Students should bring only essential items to the exam: student card, writing utensils, authorized aids for that exam.

5. Handbags, purses and book bags are not permitted in an exam hall. The University assumes no responsibility for personal property lost in or near an examination.

6. Coats are permitted into the exam hall as follows:

  • Non-bulky waist or hip length jackets, sweaters and hoodies are permitted in the exam room.
  • Long and/or bulky coats (e.g. Canada Goose jackets) are not permitted inside the exam room. You may bring these coats into the room, IF it is in a tied grocery bag.
  • Acceptable bags are only:
    • disposable plastic bags from the grocery store
    • a reusable cloth bag from either the Tricolour Outlet (red, blue or black) or Campus Bookstore (red). These bags are provided when you make a purchase from either store.
    • Bags will not be provided in the exam hall. Students are responsible for bringing their own bag. Long or bulky coats will not be permitted into the exam venue if not in a tied grocery bag.
  • Bag handles must be tied, so that the coat is contained within the bag, and is inaccessible.
  • The tied bag must be visually presented to the proctor, along with your student card, to gain entry into the exam venue. Untied bags will be refused.
  • The tied bag must fit and be placed under your exam chair so as not to impede aisle access for the duration of the exam. Access to the bag is prohibited during the examination.
What if a student misses an exam?

If a student misses an exam, they must contact their instructor for options.
What if I am sick on exam day?

It is recommended that students who are ill on the day of an examination not write the examination.  Such students should seek health services, if needed, and follow-up with their home Faculty/School. 

Students who experience an unexpected illness during an examination must notify a proctor prior to leaving so the students’ home Faculty/School can be informed of the event with an incident report. When students leave an examination without notifying a proctor of an unexpected illness, it will be assumed that they completed the exam. 
What do I need to do if I require accommodation as approved through the Student Wellness Centre?
How do I contact the Student Wellness Centre?
When do I apply for accommodations?
  • Computer midterms require the student to submit a request to the EAS student portal at https://eservices.queensu.ca/apps/easi/student/ no later than 10 working days (2 weeks) prior to the exam, and preferably by the end of September and January. 
  • All other midterm accommodations are done through your Faculty Office and/or instructor.
  • Final exam (April, December, Summer) accommodations are automatically done and sent to your Queen’s e-mail by the last day of class.
What if I need to cancel an accommodation?
  • If students do not require the accommodations, they must be cancelled with the Exams Office, IN WRITING (email preferred) in advance of the exam. Failure to do so will result in a $45 fine.
  • Students may also notify their instructor, however, that does not suffice as notification to the Exams Office.
  • Students are responsible for making the cancellation, not instructors.
What if I have an exam conflict?

The exams office makes accommodations for students who have an academic conflict as a result of exam scheduling. Please visit http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/exams/conflicts for more details.

An academic conflict is:

  • Two exams at the same time
  • 3 in a row (includes one 9 am, one 2 pm, and one 7 pm exam slot, in 24 hours)
  • We do not make any accommodation for non-academic conflict (ie sporting events, wish to return home earlier).
  • Any requests for a student to write at a different day and/or time than the scheduled exams will be directed to the course instructor and/or Faculty Office for approval AND administration.
What do instructors need to know about exams?
  • The Exams Office requires a hard copy of any exam which we are administering.  Emailed versions are not accepted for security purposes.
  • Completed exams are not returned via campus mail or courier. You (or a delegate) must come to our office to pick up the exam(s). We will ask for ID, and, if it is a delegate, a signed letter from you with the authorization.
  • Midterm exam accommodations are made for students who require the use of a computer only.
    • When a midterm is requested, instructors will be sent a form which must be returned quickly in order for the Exams Office to make arrangements.
    • A copy of the exam is required in our office a minimum of 3 business days prior to the exam, or we will not be able to make the accommodation, and the student will be advised to speak with the instructor to make arrangements.
    • For all other accommodations, students are directed to speak with the instructor and/or faculty office.
  • Instructors are encouraged to attend all exam venues in which their exam is being written, including accommodated venues.
What if I have a question about exam grades?
  • Instructors should contact their Faculty Office regarding deadline dates for submitting grades.
  • Students should contact their instructor if they have a question about their exam grade.
When do you hire proctors?

Please contact the Exams Office at exams@queensu.ca for details.

Do you invigilate exams for other institutions?

No, Queen's does not offer this service. You can contact Kingston Learning College for assistance with this type of request.

PLEASE NOTE:  Queen's is not affiliated with KLC in any way.