Defer an Exam

• 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.

• 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.

Eligible students may submit an Online Deferral Application (currently unavailable). Students may use this form to submit a self-declaration or medical documentation. If submitting medical documentation, it must be dated as seen by their physician no later than one working day after the examination or prior to the examination as long as the medical certificate covers the date(s) of the examination(s) or take-home exam(s) due date(s).

• You will need to submit a death notice/obituary, copy of the death certificate, copy of the service from the funeral, and/or a document on letterhead from the funeral home stating attendance.
• We require a brief explanation of your relationship to the deceased.
• If you will be travelling, please provide your travel itinerary including a receipt (i.e. flight information/date of purchase of tickets).

The Registrar’s Office does not process deferrals for mid-term examinations. Please review the information available at the Academic Consideration Policy webpage for further guidance.

The Registrar’s Office does not make accommodations for students to write at an earlier date. Students are expected to be available for the duration of the course, including the final examination period.

• The Registrar’s Office does not grant deferrals due to religious obligations.
• Carleton University, however, does accommodate students who must miss an examination, test, assignment deadline, laboratory, or other compulsory event due to religious obligation. The University has a Senate-approved policy on religious accommodation within its Human Rights Policy.
• Accommodation will be worked out directly and on an individual basis between the student and instructors involved.
• Students should make a formal written request to the instructors for alternative dates and/or the means of satisfying requirements.
• These requests should be made during the first two weeks of any given academic term, or as soon as possible after a need for accommodation is known to exist. A request cannot be made any later than the final week of classes in that term.
• Instructors will make reasonable accommodation in a way that will avoid academic disadvantage to the student.
• Students unable to reach a satisfactory arrangement with their instructor should contact the Department of Equity Services and Inclusive Communities. Instructors who have questions or wish to verify the nature of the religious event or practice involved should also contact this officer.

Your graduation may be delayed if you defer an exam in the final session leading up to your Winter (February) or Spring (June) graduation.

You will not be able to register in certain courses that require the completed prerequisite course. You may try to add the course to your timetable during registration. If a prerequisite prevents you from registering, you may submit a Registration Override Request through Carleton Central. Approval is at the discretion of the Academic Department offering the course.

Your year standing will not change until you complete and receive your final grade for the deferred course. Year standing is based on the number of credits you have completed successfully that are being applied to your degree.

You may try to add the course to your timetable during registration. If year standing prevents you from registering, you may submit a Registration Override Request through Carleton Central. Approval is at the discretion of the Academic Department offering the course.

Students will not be given a deferral for a deferred final examination and/or a deferred take-home examination.

In some cases when extraordinary circumstances beyond a student’s control prevent them from completing a deferred final or take-home examination, a student may be eligible to petition the Registrar’s Office to explain her or his circumstances. For more information, please visit our Missed Deferrals page.