Deferring or Rescheduling a Final Exam

A student who misses a final exam, without good reason, receives a mark of zero (0) on the exam.

Note that your instructors are not permitted to approve or arrange deferred/rescheduled final exams. Approvals must come from the Student Experience-Academic team.

Deferring a Missed Final Exam

You can apply to have a final exam deferred if:

• You’ve missed an exam due to health-related, or extenuating circumstances.

If you’ve missed an exam and would like to apply for deferral fill out the exam deferral request form and collect documentation which supports your request.

Submit your application form and documentation in person to the Student Experience team within 5 working days of the missed examination. We will evaluate your application within 3 working days and inform you and your instructor once a decision is made.

Students who write an examination while ill or become ill during an exam cannot be given special consideration after the fact. The grade achieved on your exam is considered your final exam mark.

Important Notes About Deferrals

• In most circumstances, there is one common sitting for all deferred MBA exams.
• Deferred exams must be written during the examination period immediately following the term in which the exam was missed.
• Failure to meet the deadlines stated above may result in denial of any special arrangements.
• A fee of $50 will be charged for a deferred exam written on campus. A fee of $100 is charged for deferred exams written elsewhere.
• If the deferred exam is not written, a re-write will not be permitted.
• If your academic standing is in doubt, the Graduate Admissions and Study Committee may require that you refrain from registering for courses until the deferred examination has been cleared.

Rescheduling an Exam in Advance

You can apply to have a final exam rescheduled if:

• You know that you will not be able to attend a future exam due to religious, varsity, or (for part-time students only) work-related reasons. In this case you apply for special consideration in advance.
• Submit your application form and documentation in person to the Student Experience team at least 10 working days before the exam. We will evaluate your application within 3 working days and inform you and your instructor once a decision is made.

Supporting Documentation

For either a deferral or rescheduling request, fill out this request form and collect the documentation which supports your request. In particular:

• If your request is health-related, have your health practitioner fill out the McMaster University Student Health Certificate.
• If you cannot attend the exam for religious reasons, have your religious leader provide a letter stating that you are unable to be present due to a religious obligation.
• If you are a part-time student and cannot attend due to a business commitment, have your immediate supervisor provide you with a letter on company letterhead stating that you are unable to be present due to a specific job commitment.
• If there has been a death in the family, a copy of the death certificate is required.
• If you will be representing the university at an academic or athletic event (away from the exam location) but you will be available at the scheduled time of the exam, you may be able to write the exam at an approved location with an approved invigilator. You must provide a letter from a coach, or designated University official.