Exam FAQs

Accommodations

I think I will need exam accommodations, what do I do?  

If at all possible, you should initiate the process in the spring or early summer before your matriculation, or, if later, as soon as the disability arises. You should arrange for an appointment with Student Disabilities Services. They can offer you advice and guidance on the services available to students at the University. Alternatively, you may wish to schedule a phone appointment before your arrival to campus. To schedule an appointment with Student Disability Services, call +1 607-254-4545 or email.

I have exam accommodations, what do I need to do? 

• All students with accommodations that are taking Law courses with a final exam or midterm should have Student Disabilities Services submit their accommodations (if they haven’t already done so) to the Dean of Students Office as early in the semester as possible.
• Law Students: If your accommodations have already been approved and filed with the appropriate offices, the Registrar’s Office will arrange your accommodation for exams.   
• Non-Law Students: Please email your Student Disabilities Services approved letter to the Law Registrar’s Office, we will arrange your accommodation for exams. 

Should I notify my professor of my exam accommodations? 

A student should never discuss their need for exam accommodations directly with a faculty member. It is a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity. Any problems or issues should be addressed in writing to the Law School Registrar.

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Midterms & Practice Exams

How will I know if I have a Midterm Exam?

Midterm exams are not posted on the Exam Schedule. The Registrar’s Office and/or your instructor will notify you of the date and time of the exam. Your course syllabus and My Exam Information may also provide information on whether you have a midterm exam being held.

What is a practice exam?

A practice exam is given each year in late October or early November for students enrolled in first-year courses during the fall semester. Each student will be given an opportunity to take a practice exam in Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, or Torts prepared by the student’s instructor in that course. Like all examinations at the Law School, the practice exam is given anonymously.

Am I required to take a practice exam, and will it affect my grade?

• Students are encouraged to take the practice exam, but they are not required to do so. The practice exam is intended entirely as a learning experience. It should give students a sense of exam procedures. Additionally, the practice exam should give students a sense of the type of questions that appear on law school exams and the type of answers that are expected.
• Faculty members typically write comments on the practice exams rather than assign letter grades. In any event, even if the faculty member gives the practice exam a grade, the grade is not officially recorded and will have no effect on the student’s final grade in the course.

What do I do if I have two exams scheduled for the same day?

Submit a Policy-based Exam Deferral Form and one of the exams will be rescheduled. In all cases, deferred examinations must be taken at the earliest available time under the deferral policy. Under no circumstances should a student contact an instructor to request or arrange a deferred examination.

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Deferrals

What is a Policy Based Deferral?

A scheduled examination may be deferred in advance only if a student has examinations scheduled in direct conflict with each other, two exams in one day, more than two exams in the first week, three exams in three days (same week), or four exams in one week. Complete the Policy-Based Deferral Form.

What is a Non-Policy Based Deferral?

If a personal situation arises that would conflict with a scheduled exam, the exam must be more than a day away and will require documentation. Complete the Non-Policy Based Exam Deferral Form

What is an Emergency Deferral?

If a health, family, personal, or other type of emergency arises that prevents you from taking an exam within 24 hours of an exam (this includes the morning of the exam). You must notify the Law School Registrar as soon as an emergency arises by completing the Emergency Exam Deferral Form.  You will need documentation of the emergency.

How will I know if my deferral request was approved?

Your deferral information will be posted in your “My Exam Information” once it has been processed. You will receive confirmation from our office that your form was received, and your deferral date will be posted in My Exam Information if approved. If you submitted a request and you do not see your deferral information posted at least 48 hours before the exam, contact the Law School Registrar’s Office right away at law.registrar@cornell.edu. Be sure to select the correct deferral request for your specific circumstance.

Can I take my deferred exam earlier than the scheduled date?

No examinations may be taken before the scheduled examination period. Students are never permitted to take an exam before the scheduled exam date. Under no circumstances should a student contact an instructor to request or arrange a deferred examination.

Should I let my professor know my exam is deferred?

It is a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity to discuss an exam with a student who has not yet taken the test, to discuss a deferred exam with other students, or to notify the course instructor of deferred status. Under no circumstances should a student contact an instructor to request or arrange a deferred examination.

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General Questions

What do I do if I’m sick on exam day?

If a health, family, personal, or other type of emergency arises that prevents you from taking an exam within 24 hours of an exam (this includes the morning of the exam), notify the Law School Registrar as soon as an emergency arises by completing the Emergency Exam Deferral Form. You will be required to provide documentation of the emergency (proof of doctor’s visit, etc.). If you do not have documentation when you submit the form, provide the documentation as soon as possible. Documentation must be received by 3 p.m. the day of the exam for the exam to be deferred. Under no circumstances should a student contact an instructor to request or arrange a deferred examination.

What if I can’t get to my doctor on exam day?

Call Cornell Health for assistance. They may be able to get you in sooner. Be sure to explain that you need documentation for your emergency exam deferral. We will accept proof of an appointment until you are able to be seen by a medical provider. Under no circumstances should a student contact an instructor to request or arrange a deferred examination.

Am I ready to take my exams?

• Review the Exam Basics for a step-by-step guide to taking exams.
• Download the latest version of Exam4. Students will be notified when Exam4 becomes available for download.
• Test your tech and take a practice exam. Taking a practice exam is best way to get familiar with Exam4. A practice exam tutorial can be found in the Exam4 Support | Practice Exam Video.
• Attend a Tech Check-IT will offer several sessions assisting students with Exam4 prior to exams. Be sure to check your email and Scoops for days and times. We strongly encourage you to attend.
• Review your My Exam Information for exam locations, deferrals and accommodations.
• If you see any errors with your information, contact the Registrar’s Office as soon as possible at: law.registrar@cornell.edu

How do I know if my computer supports Exam4?

Students can locate compatible device information here: Exam4 Support | Supported Operating Systems. All law students taking a final exam are highly encouraged to attend a Tech Check in order to sort out any issues prior to exams. Visit the Exam4 FAQ page for a detailed list of Exam4 information.

I am a non-law taking a law class, how will I know about my exams?

As long as you are logged in with your NetID, you have access to the exam schedule and My Exam Information. It is your responsibility to find out if you have a final exam in a Law course. If you are unsure or unable to access the information, please contact law.registrar@cornell.edu for assistance.

I take a non-law class, and my law exam takes place on my last day of classes in the other school, what do I do?

Submit a non-Policy-based Deferral Form to defer your exam to a different day.

My laptop broke the morning of my exam; can I borrow one from Law School?

Report to the Registrar’s Office located in L46 Hughes Hall to discuss your options. The office will open early on exam days and students can report there as early as 8:00 a.m.

My notes are on my laptop/tablet, do I need to print them out and bring them to the exam to turn them in?

It depends on the exam mode whether you can use notes on your laptop. No outside/additional electronics are allowed during exams. This includes cell phones, watches, headphones, tablets, calculators (unless provided by the Registrar’s Office) or secondary laptops are permitted. If you are unsure, contact the Registrar’s Office prior to the start of the exam period.

What do I do if my computer freezes/crashes? Will I get extra time?

Let your proctor know immediately and IT will be notified to assist you.  Continue reading through the exam packet as you wait for IT to arrive and correct the issue. The Registrar’s Office will determine whether you are permitted to have extra time. Extra time is not guaranteed because you should still work on and read through your exam packet while your issue is resolved.

What happens if I am late to my exam?

If you arrive late to the classroom, speak to the proctor of the exam. They will provide you with the late arrival policy which offers the choice of taking the exam with time remaining or leave and petition the Dean of Students for approval to take the exam at a later date. Neither approval nor the full time to take the exam is guaranteed.