Exam Deferrals
Students who encounter circumstances beyond their control may defer their final examination or take-home examination to write it at a later date.
Examinations that can be deferred:
- Final Examinations: this is the last exam that you have to complete for your course. It is usually scheduled to be completed in a 3 hour block of time. The date and time is normally published in the formal exam schedule.
- Take-Home Examinations: this is the final graded component assigned in a course. It is normally assigned by the instructor of the course on the last day of classes, and it is due the last day of the examination period.
Examinations that cannot be deferred:
- Midterm Examinations: this is an exam that you complete partway through your course. For full-year courses, these examinations tend to happen in December during the formal examination period. If you cannot complete your midterm examination, alternate arrangements must be made with the instructor.
- Final Assignments: this is the final graded component assigned in a course. It is normally assigned by the instructor before the end of the term, and it is due by the last day of classes.
Examples of scenarios in which you may receive a deferral would be in the event of serious illness or an exceptional circumstance beyond your control. Please see the University Regulations in Sections 4.1 – 4.4 of the Undergraduate Calendar for details.
Please note that by completing and submitting a Deferral Application you are authorizing the Registrar’s Office to contact those who have provided documentation submitted with your application, including but not limited to medical documentation, for purposes of verifying authenticity.
Further questions or concerns can be sent to deferral@carleton.ca.
How to Defer an Exam
- Deferral applications for final or take-home examinations must be made using the Online Deferral Application no more than three business days after the original final examination or the due date of the take-home examination.
- Supporting documentation must be provided.
- We do not accept faxed or emailed applications or supporting documents.
Dates and Deadlines
Deadline to Apply for a Deferral
The deadline to apply for a deferral is within 3 working days after the original final examination date or the original due date of the take-home examination.
When Deferred Final Exams Are Written
- Dates for the standard examination period are on the university calendar.
- The deferred examination schedule is on the Scheduling and Examination Services website and Carleton Central.
Deadline for Deferred Take-Home Exams
- Fall Term Courses: January 15
- Fall/Winter and Winter Term Courses: May 15
- Summer Term Courses (Ending in June): July 15
- Summer Term Courses (Ending in August): September 15
Important Links
- Online Deferral Application
- Missed Deferrals
- Deferred Examination Schedule (Public View)
- Personalized Examination Schedule (via Carleton Central)
- Rules and Procedures for Writing an Exam
- “Carleton University Medical Form” (see the “Downloads” section at the bottom of this page)
- “Additional Deferral Information” (see the “Downloads” section at the bottom of this page)