Final Examinations

Final examinations are a critical component of the assessment of student learning. A significant portion of a student’s final mark is determined by their performance on final exams. Students and their parents need to understand the following expectations about final examinations:

1. Rules and Expectations for all exams are clearly communicated to students and their parents through PRIDE, the school website, and school newsletter.
2. Students are expected to write their final exams when they are scheduled. The exam schedule is posted by the mid-way point of each semester.
3. All final exams are to be written on the date that they are scheduled. Students will not be given an opportunity to re-write a final exam if it is missed while away on extended leave. Students who miss a non-diploma exam will be assigned a mark of zero.
4. Re-scheduling non-diploma exams or other accommodations will ONLY be considered if an emergency or extenuating circumstance exists. These cases will be reviewed by the administrator responsible for examinations.
5. Regulations for the administration of diploma exams and provincial achievement tests are set out by  Alberta Education. Issues arising about diploma exams and provincial achievement tests will be referred to Alberta Education.

Final Exam Period & Instructional Flex Time

Completing Course Work

• The Final Exam Period and Instructional Flex Time will commence after the last day of regular classes. Theses dates are posted on the school calendar.
• Be sure you understand the expectations for Instructional Flex Time and be sure that you understand that students are expected to attend these classes throughout January. Teacher flex time schedules will be posted on the CHHS website and the Exam Central bulletin board.
• Further information will be distributed about semester completion procedures such as returning textbooks, locker cleaning, mark appeals and information about the second semester.

During Exams

• Students are expected to know when their exams will be written.  This information has been posted and is available on the school website.
• Locations of exams will be posted on the Exam Central Bulletin Board, which is located by the Business Office.  This detailed listing of various exam sites will be posted in late December. 
• Lists of room locations will be posted for students who are writing diploma exams on computers. Students should make note of times and locations for their exams. Check carefully.
• Students with Special Accommodations will be identified on posted lists.  These lists will also specify where students are to write the scheduled exam.  These lists are also posted on the Exam Central bulletin board by the Business Office.
• Computers will not be available for general student use during the first two days of exams.
• Information about bussing schedules will be made available and will be posted by the Business Office.  Students should expect some changes to the regular bussing schedule during the exam period.

Students are expected to write final exams when they are scheduled.  In the event that a student is not able to write a final exam when it is scheduled, Ms. Gorkoff should be contacted immediately in the main office.

Important Rules and Expectations

1. Students are expected to arrive early and conduct themselves so as to begin the exam promptly at the posted start time.
2. Students are to have picture id as they enter the exam room.  Students who have lost their school ID should go to the office where they will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that they have appropriate identification well in advance of the start time.
3. Students are to comply with all directions given by the supervising teachers.  Any failure to cooperate with the instructions given by the supervising teachers will result in the exam being disqualified and the student could face further disciplinary measures.  Students are expected to contribute to optimal conditions for administration of exams.
4. Students are expected to leave their personal effects such as jackets and bags behind – these items should not enter the exam room and should be left in lockers.  No hats or outer wear are to be worn during the writing of the exam.
5. Students are only to have authorized resources with them as they write the exam.  It is expected that subject teachers will fully clarify what resources and equipment can be brought into the exam room. Supervisors are to ensure that only those materials and resources that are necessary for writing the exam enter the exam room.
6. Under no circumstances are the following devices to enter the exam room:  cell phones, PDAs, Blackberry Devices, iPods, MP3 Players, Electronic Dictionaries.  Students should secure these devices prior to the exam.   Any student who is found in possession of one of these devices will have their exam disqualified immediately.   The presence of such devices will be considered to have given a student a potential unfair advantage. It does not matter if the device has actually been used.
7. All approved calculators must be cleared prior to the writing of each math and science exam.
8. Teachers will record where students sat during the exam and an accurate record of seating arrangements will be kept on file should there be any suspicions of cheating or inappropriate conduct during the exam.
9. Students are expected to look at their own work and any concerns about looking on the work of other students will be addressed immediately by supervising teachers.  Students writing diploma exams need to know that all diploma exam answer sheets undergo rigorous electronic screening when they arrive in Edmonton.  Student answer sheets suspected of academic misconduct are identified immediately. It is expected that students will protect their own work and will take steps necessary to ensure that others do not have access to this work.
10. Students will not be allowed into the exam room after the one hour mark.
11. Students are expected to remain in the exam for a minimum of one hour.
12. When students have completed the exam they are expected to check with an exam supervisor to ensure that all is in order.  Once this has been completed they may leave the exam.  No materials related to the exam are to be taken away by any student.
13. Students are expected to move away from the exam room and maintain an environment that is orderly, quiet and conducive to the effective administration of exams.  Any student deemed to be interfering with the administration of exams by creating undue noise of disruption faces the possibility of having their exam disqualified and further disciplinary measures may ensue.
14. Extra Time and Other Accommodations- Students who have been granted special accommodations are identified on a list and the list is very clear about the accommodations that have been provided.  It is school policy to provide students with an extra hour to write a Non-Diploma Exam.  Students and parents have an opportunity beforehand to negotiate additional time beyond this one hour accommodation. Meticulous steps are taken to ensure that students with special writing needs are well looked after.  Only those students who are on the approved list have qualified for this accommodation.