What to Expect During Exams

Exam season is almost here! If you’re in your first year here at Carleton, you might not be used to the change of pace that comes during this time. With so many factors to keep in mind, like where to go and what to do on exam day, here’s a list of a few important things to keep in mind:

Where to view your exam schedule
You have to your own personalized exam schedule through the ‘My Exam Schedule’ link on Carleton Central. You will see the location of your exams approximately 2 weeks before they are scheduled. Most exams are located in Athletics; however, some exams happen in smaller classrooms as well, meaning might have a mix of both. Exams also happen every day of the week, including weekends! If you find your schedule has a conflict or overload, you should contact Scheduling and Examination Services right away.

What you can (and cannot) bring
When it comes to what you should bring to your exam, don’t forget items such as pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and calculators, preferably kept in a clear container like a Ziploc bag. If you do bring a pencil case, you’ll have to keep it under your seat. You will also need to bring your Student ID for identification purposes.
So you’ve got the essentials! But what about your personal items? Exam policy states that you are permitted to bring any coats, small purses, wallets, and valuable devices like phones and laptops to your seat – however, your coat should be hung on your chair, and all your valuables should be placed below your seat and out of reach. You also have the option to keep your coat in the front of the room, but all large backpacks should be kept in the front of the room as you enter.
As for refreshments, you’re only permitted water in a clear bottle – however, if you get hungry before or after exams, and you are in Athletics, the Tim Hortons is close by!

What to do if you need accommodations
If you require accommodations due to religious obligations, pregnancy, or other reasons, check your syllabus or visit the equity services website for a guide to accommodations at Carleton.
If you are sick, or other circumstances seriously prevent you from completing your exam, you can apply to have an exam deferred, or in other words, postponed; you would then write your exam in at a different time. Deferral applications are not taken lightly, and require additional documentation to be approved.

For more information about writing exams at Carleton, the Scheduling and Examination Service’s website has lots of great information about what to expect. Hopefully all your exams go as smoothly as possible, and your first semester at Carleton ends on a high note. Best of luck, Ravens!