Exam clashes, hardships, and cancellations

Overview

While the information on this page provides helpful guidelines, refer to UBC's official rules and policies on exams for the most up-to-date information, including the following topics:

  • Student conduct during exams
  • Exam hardships and clashes
  • Standing Deferred and Supplemental exams

Exam clashes

An exam clash happens when multiple exams are scheduled on the same day at the same time.

Daytime exam clashes

If you have a daytime exam clash, contact your instructor immediately to see if you can find an alternate writing time. If the instructor is unable to resolve the examination clash, then the department head, dean or director will be contacted.

If an alternate writing time is not available at the faculty level, students must contact their Academic Advisors to make alternate arrangements.

Evening and weekend exam clashes

Exam clashes on the evening and weekend timetable are the responsibility of the instructor. Please contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Exam hardships

An exam hardship is defined as having 3 or more end-of-term exams in a 24-hour period.

Read more about exam hardships in the UBC Academic Calendar.

Exam cancellations

Always check ubc.ca for the most up-to-date information about campus closures and weather advisories.

If exams are cancelled:

  • A notice will be posted on the Exams page.
  • Enrolment Services will email affected students, instructors and exam representatives to let them know that the exam is cancelled and what to expect next.

Rescheduling cancelled exams

If a Winter Term 1 final exam is cancelled, it will be rescheduled for the Saturday after the first full week of classes in Term 2, or on Sunday when necessary.

If a Winter Term 2 and/or Summer Term exam is cancelled, it will be scheduled for the day(s) following the last date of formal exams for that term.

If you are unable to attend a rescheduled exam, follow your faculty procedures to review your options. Contact your faculty advising office for details.

If you have questions