Exams for Online Courses

Does every course have a final exam?
No, but many do. Exam information will be provided in your course outline. Contact your instructor if you need further clarification.

What if I have a scheduling conflict with my final exam?
If you are enrolled in more than one course, the final exam for both courses may be scheduled on the same day and time, creating a scheduling conflict. If this is the case, please email us immediately at changexams@torontomu.ca.

What if I become ill or have an emergency during a final exam?
If you become ill or have an unforeseen emergency that prevents you from finishing a final exam, you must notify your instructor immediately. Alternate arrangements can be made at your instructor’s discretion.

What if I am unable to write an exam due to a medical condition?
Academic Consideration Requests (ACR) for extenuating circumstances must be submitted through the ACR online portal and you must contact the relevant course instructor(s). Normally you must submit a Request for Academic Consideration before the exam, or within three business days after if not possible.

See Policy 167 Academic Consideration for details about timelines and documentation required.

Please note: that during the current COVID-19 situation students who miss an assessment due to cold or flu-like symptoms, or due to self-isolation, are currently not required to provide a health certificate. All other illnesses must continue to have health documentation provided.

Are all final exams written at the same time?
Online exams are set up to allow you a “window of opportunity” to access the exam link (this can range anywhere from 15 minutes to several days). It is important to note that the exam link will only be available during this time. If you attempt to begin your online exam after the designated window of opportunity, the link will no longer be available.

Please contact your instructor(s) if you are unsure about your exam schedule.

What if there is a technical problem during an online exam?
You are strongly encouraged to take your course’s sample test before attempting online tests. If you experience technical difficulties during an online exam, email your instructor immediately, advise them of the problem, and submit the exam problem report in your course. Please also email changexams@torontomu.ca.

Are online exams timed?
Online exams are time-logged from the moment you access the exam to the time it is submitted. You are responsible for monitoring your time. Instructors will know exactly how long you took to write the exam and if you stayed within your time allowance (for example, two hours).

Will my final exam be returned to me?
No. It is Toronto Metropolitan University policy that final examinations are not returned to students. If you have any questions about your final grade, please contact your instructor as soon as you receive your grade. If you are unable to reach your instructor, please email changexams@torontomu.ca or phone 416-979-5035.

What is an invigilated exam?
An invigilated exam is an exam that is overseen by an impartial individual (called an invigilator) who monitors or supervises a student while taking an exam. The invigilator ensures the security and integrity of the exam process.

Who is eligible to write an off-campus invigilated exam?
If you live more than 100 kilometres from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), you may arrange to write your examinations off campus. All students requesting invigilated exams must submit the online Off-Campus Exam Request Form.

When should I submit my request?
Requests cannot be submitted via the Off-Campus Exam Request Form until your course begins.

• For final exam requests, submit before the end of week seven (7) for thirteen (13)-week courses, and before the end of week two (2) for six or seven (6 or 7)-week courses.
• For midterm requests, submit before the end of week two (2).

Note: Exams will not be sent to an invigilator unless the Off-Campus Exam Request Form is received and approved by The Chang School.

What do I need to do to arrange an invigilated exam?

1. Visit the Off-Campus Exam Request Form to see a list of invigilators. Select an invigilator in your area and contact them to arrange for invigilation services on the date and time you will be writing your exam, as per the course outline. Once confirmed, complete and submit the Off-Campus Exam Request Form.
2. If there is no invigilator listed for your area, it is your responsibility to find a suitable invigilator. (Review How do I find a suitable invigilator? for information on selecting an approved invigilator.) Confirm the date and time you will be writing your exam with that invigilator. Then complete the Off-Campus Exam Request Form with your request, as per instructions on the form.
3. Review the payment policy of the selected site.
4. Exams must be booked on the scheduled date of the exam (see course outline). If your invigilator is not available on weekends, we will accept the Monday following the exam date.

Note: Failure on the part of the student to assume the responsibilities outlined for requesting an off-campus invigilated exam will result in the student having to attend and write the exam on campus at TMU.

How do I find a suitable invigilator?
Review the invigilator listings in the second screen of the Off-Campus Exam Request Form (click “Find Invigilator”). If there is no invigilator listed for your area, it is your responsibility to find a suitable invigilator and make arrangements for them to invigilate your examination on the scheduled date. You can then add this invigilator to the Off-Campus Exam Request Form using the “Add New Invigilator” button.

Who qualifies as a suitable invigilator?
An acceptable invigilator is an impartial individual who will ensure academic integrity throughout the administration of the exam process. Your invigilator must be from one of the following categories:*

• College or university testing centre representatives
• Current faculty at a community college or university
• Librarian at a public library
• Nursing educators
• Military educators
• Exam/test centres

*All of the above must be eligible to work in Canada or in their country of residence.

TMU pays a flat fee of $50 per test, on behalf of its students, as an honorarium for invigilation services. Payment is in Canadian funds only. If the fee is to be paid to the facility/institution, we will request that invigilator provide an invoice for payment. If not, the invigilator will complete the Invigilator Payment Form that is included with the exam.

Note: Relatives, coworkers, immediate supervisors, friends, neighbours, or persons residing at the same address as you cannot invigilate your examinations. Students will not be reimbursed for payments made to invigilators.

What happens after I submit the Off-Campus Exam Form?
Upon successful submission and acceptance of this form, you will receive a confirmation notice sent to the email address provided on your form. We will review your request and contact you if we have any questions. TMU reserves the right to verify an invigilator’s identity, require additional proof of eligibility, or require the selection of a different invigilator.

Note: Failure on the part of the student to assume these responsibilities will result in the student having to attend and write the exam on campus at TMU.

What are the invigilator’s responsibilities?

• The invigilator must have the ability to receive the exam package by email and print the exam for the student.
• Only the invigilator may handle the actual exam prior to and following its completion.
• No copies of the exam are to be made at any time.
• No person other than the invigilator and student may view the exam. (The student may have access to the exam only during the time period allowed for writing.)
• The invigilator must ensure the identity of test-takers by requiring the presentation of photo identification.
• The invigilator must follow the instructions for administering the exam. These may include a time limit and specific allowable exam aids, such as a calculator and inclusion or exclusion of books, notes, etc.
• The invigilator must prepare the exam (and any relevant materials such as scanner sheets, question papers, answer booklets, etc.) for return by sealing it in the return envelope provided by TMU immediately after the student completes it.
• Under no circumstances should any part of the examination be released to the student.
• Exams may not be released to a third party without TMU's permission.