Many instructors evaluate student learning through exams—whether during the course of the semester, or at the end of the term, or both. Please note that there are certain policies and best practices that instructors should note when scheduling, adminstering, and grading their exams, as detailed below.

Midterm exams

Midterm examinations are scheduled by each instructor, based on the pedagogical structure of a course, and might occur anytime between the beginning and the end of the term. Therefore, while many midterm exams may be scheduled around the mid-point of a term (e.g., late October or mid-March), midterm exams may also fall earlier or later in the term, and a course may require multiple exams during the course of the semester.

Because midterm exams have such different timelines and are governed by individual departments and instructors, there is no unified set of University or school policies that govern them. Instructors are advised to have clear policies and practices in place for cases in which students request accommodations due to illness, varsity sport travel, or other extenuating circumstances.

If instructors need advice on how to handle individual situations with students, they should contact the student's assigned adviser. For Columbia College, General Studies, and Columbia Engineering students, instructors can find the student's assigned advising dean is their Courseworks sites, in the "Photo Roster" section under the "List/Advisor" tab. For Barnard College students, instructors can contact the relevant Class Dean (depending on the class year of the student).

If a student misses a midterm exam without notice, the instructor should immediately alert the student’s advising dean, in case there is an emergency that needs the school’s intervention.

Final exams

Instructors should become familiar with these policies regarding the scheduling of final exams when creating their course plans for the semester. If the academic deans become aware of any final exam schedule that does not follow these policies, the instructor of the course will be asked to adjust the course plan accordingly so that students in the course can expect the same timing of final exams as all other students.

Faculty advising during the final exam period

From the Faculty Handbook published by the Provost Office:
"Faculty should hold regular office hours during the academic term that are clearly communicated to students. Faculty are also expected to be available to advise students during registration and the final examination period following the end of classes."

Scheduling of final exams

Final examinations occur after the end of classes and follow a predetermined schedule issued by the Registrar’s office. The projected version of this schedule is issued in November for the Fall term and in April for the Spring term. Students are advised that they should not finalize end-of-term travel plans until they know their exam schedules; travel is not an acceptable conflict for a final exam.

If a class includes a final exam, instructors should give the final exam during the scheduled final exam period assigned by the Registrar's office.

• Instructors should not schedule final exams during class sessions because students are expected to have time to prepare for final exams during the reading days, rather than during the period when final assignments, projects, and papers are due during final class meetings.
• Final exams should not be scheduled during the reading period between the end of classes and the final exam period.
• Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary for an instructor to reschedule an exam. Any change to the day or time of a scheduled final exam must be negotiated with the members of the class. All students unable to take the exam at the agreed-upon time must be given a make-up exam at a time when they are able to attend. Instructors should contact the Office of the Registrar to request a time change for a final exam.

Instructors may choose to return graded exams to students or to retain the graded exams and make them available for student review in office hours. If instructors choose to do the latter, then instructors should retain those graded final exams for at least one year after the submission of final grades, in case students wish to review their final exams and ask questions about their assessment.

Student conflicts and emergencies for final exams

Each undergraduate school has policies governing final exams. Instructors who have questions about individual student situations may contact the student's assigned adviser for consultation.

• Some schools limit the number of final exams a student may be required to take on a single day, while others limit the number of final exams a student may be required to take over a 24-hour period that can straddle two consecutive days. Students in either circumstance should meet with their advising deans as soon as possible after the final exam schedule is published in order to initiate the process for arranging a make-up exam, and instructors are asked to cooperate with these students in finding an alternative time for their examinations.
• If a student is too ill to take a final exam, the instructor should refer the student to the assigned advising dean. The advising dean will advise the student on how to apply for an Incomplete (INC) to the appropriate school committee and what medical documentation to provide to support the application. If granted a grade of Incomplete, the student will be allowed to take a make-up exam during the Deferred Examination period at the beginning of the next semester, and the instructor will be asked to provide a make-up exam which will be administered by members of the advising offices and returned to faculty for grading.
• If a student attends an exam but becomes too ill during the exam to complete it, the instructor should refer the student to the assigned advising dean, who will advise the student on whether the student may be granted an Incomplete and will advise the student on the process.
• If a student misses a final exam without notice, the instructor should immediately alert the student’s advising dean, in case there is an emergency that needs the school’s intervention.

Exam accommodations for varsity athletes

Varsity athletes may occasionally request a make-up exam for a midterm exam or, more rarely, for a final exam if they are traveling to represent Columbia University at a competition off campus. Instructors are asked to be responsive to such requests.

Some students are able to take the exam at the scheduled time but while traveling with the team. In these instances the exam is given to, and proctored by, the team coach. Alternatively, a make-up exam taken on campus but at a different time may be scheduled.

Faculty who have specific questions or concerns about a student's request should contact the student's advising dean. For Columbia College, General Studies, and Columbia Engineering students, instructors can find the student's assigned advising dean is their Courseworks sites, in the "Photo Roster" section under the "List/Advisor" tab. For Barnard College students, instructors can contact the relevant Class Dean (depending on the class year of the student).