Q: Is this a new policy?
No. The Final Exam Conflict Accommodation Guideline has been in place since 2010. This communication is a reminder and clarification, particularly regarding what types of assessments are appropriate to schedule during the exam period, not a new requirement.
Q: Can I give a final exam before finals week?
No. Final examinations may not be given prior to the official final examination week. Final exams must be held during the designated final exam time as listed on the official published schedule. Moving exams into the last week of classes, even when all students agree, eliminates important student protections, including the ability to use the study period to prepare and to take exams on a schedule designed to minimize conflicts.
Q: Can I give my final exam at a time other than the assigned time?
No. The final examination in a course must be given as scheduled by the Office of the University Registrar and not at any other time, even if the faculty member and all students in the course agree to such a change. The exam must be held at its published day and time.
Any exception requires written approval from the Dean and the Office of the University Registrar.
Q: What if my whole class agrees they'd rather take the exam early?
Even with full agreement from you and your students, the final exam must still be given during the scheduled exam period. The Final Exam Conflict Accommodation Guideline is explicit on this point because the scheduling system, conflict accommodation procedures, and credit hour compliance depend on consistent adherence across all courses, not just individual course agreements.
Q: What counts as a "final exam" for purposes of this policy?
Any culminating assessment for the course, whether it's a traditional written exam, a paper, a project presentation, or an oral exam.
Q: Can I assign a final paper or project with a due date during the last week of classes instead?
The due date for a culminating paper or project should fall within the scheduled final exam period, not the last week of classes. This keeps the last week available for instruction and ensures students have the full study period to complete their work.
Q: I give a non-cumulative "final midterm" instead of a traditional final exam. Does this policy apply to me?
Yes. A non-cumulative final midterm given during the last week of classes has the same effect as moving a final exam early: it shortens the instructional period and removes access to conflict accommodation procedures. This assessment should be scheduled during the final exam period instead.
Q: If I move my non-cumulative final assessment to the exam period, does anything else change about how I run it?
No. It can remain non-cumulative in content, format, and length. The only change is timing, it should be administered during the scheduled exam period rather than during the last week of classes.
Q: My course doesn't have a traditional written final. Can I use the exam period for presentations, oral exams, or project defenses?
Yes. There is no restriction limiting the exam period to written exams. Presentations, project defenses, and oral exams are all appropriate to schedule during the final exam period.
Q: Can I hold a review session during finals week?
Yes. Faculty may schedule a review session during finals week by contacting the Classroom Scheduling office at rooms@registrar.pitt.edu to request a room. Please note that final exams may not be given during a review session. Review sessions and final examinations are distinct and must be kept separate.
Q: What if the scheduled exam time genuinely doesn't work for my course (e.g., lab access, equipment needs)?
Please contact the Course & Class team at the Office of the University Registrar at course@registrar.pitt.edu in advance to discuss your specific circumstances. There may be options within the exam period that address your constraints without moving the exam outside the scheduled week.
Q: What about graduate courses?
This message is directed at undergraduate courses. Graduate courses with exams should continue to hold their final exam during the last scheduled class meeting of finals week as per standard practice.
Q: Who do I contact with questions about my specific course or program?
Please reach out to Adam Lee, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, at VPLee@pitt.edu.
Q: Where can I find additional information and FAQs about final exams?
Please check the Final Exams page maintained by the Office of the University Registrar for additional information.