G. Academic Assessments and Examinations


Academic Assessments and Examinations may be made on pedagogical grounds with the approval of the Dean or designate. All approved exemptions must be noted in the course outline.

The definitions below are included for the purpose of providing more clarity to Section G.

Assessment is a general term referring to the different processes used to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning in a course, which may include, but are not limited to timed quizzes, exams, tests, labs, papers, essays, projects, presentations, oral exam, creative products, and performances.

Final Examination refers to timed assessments scheduled during the final examination period of an academic term. Exemptions to the regulations in section G.

Rights to Accommodation

a. Students requiring an accommodation related to disability or a medical condition should contact Student Accessibility Services in accordance with the Procedure for Accommodations for Students with Disabilities available at: ucalgary.ca/legal-services/university-policies-procedures/student-accommodation-policy.

b. Students who require an accommodation on a protected ground other than disability should communicate this need, in writing, to their instructor or the appropriate department/faculty designated contact person (e.g., Associate Dean, Department Head).

Assessment Practices

Effective assessment practices require that students have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning and receive feedback. This principle underlies the following regulations:

a. Prior to the withdraw deadline, students must have received in:

(1) graded courses: grades for a minimum of 30 per cent of the course grade; or

(2) non-graded courses: formal feedback based on their performance in the course.

(3) clinical or professional practice-based courses in academic programs leading to professional designation, registration and/or licensing, regardless of their duration, student learning may be formally evaluated at the end of the learning experience, as long as effective formative feedback processes are in place at intervals during the course.

b. Assessments carried out during the last 14 calendar days of classes in Fall/Winter Terms and the last 7 calendar days in Spring/Summer Intersessions (as defined in the Academic Schedule) may not total more than 15 per cent of the final grade, except in the case of laboratory or oral testing, presentations, or summative projects/papers.

c. The final exam may not count for more than 50 per cent of the final grade, except in:

(1) the cases of clinical or professional practice-based courses in academic programs leading to professional designation, registration and/or licensing; or

(2) in situations outlined in section G.1.2 In-Course Assessments and Absences.

d. Regardless of the format of a course, any external accreditation assessment requirements must be met in the evaluation plan for a course.

Assessment Modalities

a. Courses delivered in-person or in a blended modality: assessments may be delivered in the modality format as approved in the course outline.

b. Courses delivered in their entirety in an online modality: final examinations must be scheduled online.


G.1 Assessment Conduct and Eligibility
G.2 In-Course Assessments
G.3 Final Assessments


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