Upcoming Final Exam Periods
- Spring 2021: May 2, 2021 – May 7, 2021
- Fall 2021: December 17, 2021 – December 23, 2021
Future final exam periods are listed under the Academic Calendar.
Viewing your Final Exam Schedule
Students can view their final exam schedule in the MyUW > Course Schedule app or in Course Search & Enroll. Illustrated instructions are available here.
Classroom locations for final exams will be visible in the final exam schedule approximately four weeks before the start of final exams.
Midterm and Final Exam Policy
The complete midterm and final exam policy is available on the Midterm and Final Exam Policy Information page.
Each fall and spring semester final exam “summary period” consists of a study day followed by five or six exam days. The part of the final exam policy that is often of most interest to students explains:
“Where a student has more than two summary blocks scheduled within a period of 24 hours, the instructor may, within guidelines adopted by the college or school faculty, reschedule a final exam to avoid hardship. Rescheduled summary blocks shall be of the same general nature and quality as the activities of the regular two-hour summary block.”
Students are encouraged to take note of their final exam schedule while selecting classes. Students with more than two final exams scheduled in 24 hours should connect with instructors at the beginning of the semester to see if options exist for a rescheduled final exam. Please note that the policy says an instructor may reschedule a final exam. It does not say they must reschedule a final exam.
Summer session final exams are held during the last class meeting unless otherwise announced by the instructor.
FAQs – Spring 2021
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Will final exams be administered in person or remotely for the Spring 2021 semester?
Classes taught entirely remotely or online must administer final exams remotely/online, if a final is given. Only some classes taught in person or hybrid are eligible to administer finals in person.
Are evening exams (or any times outside of the regular in-person meeting) for in-person daytime classes allowed in Spring 2021?
In a typical semester, departments and faculty/instructors have the option to schedule in-person midterm exams outside regular in-person class meeting times. (Advance notice to students is expected via a class note visible at enroll.wisc.edu.) Due to space constraints, more classes meeting in the evenings, and other considerations, no scheduling of in-person midterms outside of regular class meeting times will be permitted this spring (except for documented McBurney accommodations). Instructors need to schedule evaluation of students during regularly scheduled class meeting times or in alternative formats.
General FAQs
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What if I have multiple final exams scheduled in a short time frame?
Students are encouraged to take note of their final exam schedule while selecting classes. Students with more than two final exams scheduled in 24 hours should connect with instructors at the beginning of the semester to see if options exist for a rescheduled final exam.
Please note that the policy says an instructor may reschedule a final exam. It does not say they must reschedule a final exam.
“Where a student has more than two summary blocks scheduled within a period of 24 hours, the instructor may, within guidelines adopted by the college or school faculty, reschedule a final exam to avoid hardship. Rescheduled summary blocks shall be of the same general nature and quality as the activities of the regular two-hour summary block.”
Where can I find my final exam schedule?
Students can view their final exam schedule in the MyUW > Course Schedule app or in Course Search & Enroll. Illustrated instructions are available here.
What if there is no location listed on my final exam schedule?
Classroom locations for final exams will be visible in the final exam schedule approximately four weeks before the start of final exams.
If that information is missing four weeks before the start of final exams, please contact the instructor or department giving the exam to determine the location.
When are final exams for summer courses?
Final exams are held at the last class meeting unless otherwise announced by the instructor.
Summer mid-session exams are typically held during the scheduled class period.
What if I have an evening midterm exam that conflicts with an evening course?
It is the instructor’s responsibility to assure that all students with conflicts between daytime courses with evening exams and evening courses are treated fairly and without penalty.
If a scheduling conflict exists between the evening exam of a daytime course and a regularly scheduled evening course, then the evening course takes precedence over the exam.