Special Examination

A Special Examination (SPC) 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.

Permission to write a special examination may be given on the basis or compassionate or medical grounds with appropriate supporting documentation.

If you miss a final exam during an official exam period, you must submit a request for Academic Consideration through the Student Absence Portal with supporting documentation.

If your request is approved and the final exam is the only outstanding course requirement, an SPC will be placed on your record, and the instructor will schedule the Special Examination in accordance with university policy.

Important Information

1. You are typically allowed one Special Examination

If you:

  • Miss your original final exam
  • Receive approved Academic Consideration

 2. When will the Special Examination be written?

  • Special Examinations are normally written within 30 days of the end of the examination period.
  • Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances and require approval from Academic Advising.
  • You may be required to write up to two Special Examinations in one day.

3. What if I miss my Special Examination?

a) If Academic Consideration is approved

You will be:

Withdrawn from the course without academic penalty (WDN).

  • In extenuating circumstances, such as a serious, prolonged illness that prevented you from completing academic work from the time of the original exam through to the Special Exam, you may request relief to the Associate Dean for permission to write the final exam the next time the course is offered. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

b) If Academic Consideration is not approved (or not requested)

You will receive:

  • A grade of zero on the examination.

4. Can I request relief (appeal) the decision to get an additional SPC attempt due to extenuating circumstances?

In certain, extenuating situations a Request for Relief could be approved, and you'd be allowed to write the exam the next time the exam is offered. In this case:

  • Your course load will be reduced in the term in which the examination is deferred, as outlined in the Definitions of Types of Examinations policy.

5. SPCs and Course Registration

If an SPC appears on a course that is a prerequisite for another course:

  • Registration in the next course will require approval from both the instructor and Academic Advising until the SPC is replaced with a final grade.

If most of your courses in an academic year have SPC grades:

  • Registration in additional courses will require approval from Academic Advising until those SPC grades are resolved and replaced with final grades.

Examples

Situation

Outcome

Miss original final exam +
Academic Consideration approved

One Special Examination granted

Miss Special Examination +
Academic Consideration approved

Withdrawn from course (WDN)

Miss Special Examination +
Academic Consideration not approved

Grade of 0 on the exam

Miss Special Examination due to serious,
prolonged illness

May request relief to write the exam the next time the exam is offered

Mid-Year Examinations (Full-Year Courses - 1.0 Credit)

For courses that offer a makeup mid-year examination:

If you miss the original mid-year exam

a) Academic Consideration approved

  • You will typically be granted one makeup mid-year examination.

If you miss the makeup mid-year examination

a) If Academic Consideration is approved:

  • You will be withdrawn from the course without academic penalty (WDN), following the same process that applies to final examinations.

b) If Academic Consideration is not approved (or not requested):

  • You will receive a grade of zero on the makeup mid-year examination.