Student Exam & Grading Guide 2018-2019

Office of Academic Services

Student Exam & Grading Guide 2018-2019

Table of Contents

Examinations

Assessment Methods

1

Examination Numbers

1

Examination Accommodations

2

Types of Examination

2

Midterm/Mock Examinations

2

Final Examinations

3

Multiple Choice Examinations

3

Reading Period

4

Examination Schedule

4

Take-Home Exams

Extension Requests for Papers, Projects and Take-Home Exams

8

Exam Connect

8

Exam Day

What to Bring to Exams

10

What NOT to Bring

10

Proctors

11

ExamSoft

ExamSoft/Handwriters

4

Character Count

5

ExamSoft Issues During the Exam

12

Uploading ExamSoft

13

Emergencies on Exam Day

Inclement Weather Delay

15

Late Arrival

15

Exam Interruption

15

Emergency Procedure During an Exam

16

Examination Policies

Withdrawing from Classes during the Examination Period

4

Examination Rescheduling Requests

17

Failure to Take Examinations

17

Extensions Beyond End of Semester

22

How We Grade

Grading Systems

19

Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

20

Grading Policy

20

Pass/Fail Grades

21

Non-Classroom Activities

21

Grades Earned at non-Suffolk Law School Programs

22

Grade Release

22

Honors

Class Rank

23

Dean’s List

23

Jurisprudence Awards

23

Resources

Academic Support

4

Law Library

4

Academic Integrity

14

Examination Regulations

24

Laptop Examination Rules

26

Certification

27

EXAMINATION INFORMATION I

Student Exam and Grading Guide This Student Exam and Grading Guide explains the policies and procedures in place for the administration of exams, projects, papers, take-home exams and the submission and subsequent release of grades. Any student with questions or concerns related to examination and grading policies and procedures should contact the Office of Academic Services at:

Lorraine D. Cove Office of Academic Services 120 Tremont Street, Suite 130 617-573-8160 lcove@suffolk.edu

The Office of Academic Services administers all Law School in-house examinations, is responsible for the oversight of take-home examinations, and implements policies and procedures on behalf of the faculty and administration of the Law School. Examinations

Assessment Methods

Course instructors may use a number of different assessment methods for grading students, including quizzes, one or more assignments (papers, memos, drafting exercises, simulations, oral exercises or presentations), class participation, mid-term examination, final examination, or final paper. The instructor will notify students of the grading method used.

Only students who are officially registered for courses may take examinations in those courses.

Examination Numbers

A unique examination number is provided to each student for each exam the student takes each semester to facilitate “blind grading”. No student’s name or any other identifying information, other than the examination number, may appear on a student’s exam. Faculty are provided with a grading roster containing examination numbers only for the assignment of the exam grade. Examination numbers are posted on Web Advisor ( My Suffolk > Web Advisor > Law Exam Information > My Examination Numbers ) in advance of the examination period for midterm and mock examinations and end of term examinations. Examination Academic Integrity cards are distributed in each exam. This card displays your examination number.

To keep examinations anonymous, remember:

 Always use your exam number on your exam NOT your Student ID number.

 Never identify yourself to the Professor in any manner whatsoever in the typed exam or exam booklet.  Never speak with your Professor regarding a rescheduling of your exam or any accommodations you receive.  Do NOT call or email your Professor about the exam after the examination has been administered and prior to the date on which grades are posted by the Office of Academic Services. Please contact the Office of Academic Services for assistance with any examination issues.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Maintaining the integrity of the anonymous grading system is a student responsibility and a critical component to student conduct. Breaching anonymity constitutes a violation of the Law School's Academic Integrity Rule (II.F) as set forth in the Student Handbook and is subject to disciplinary action.

Examination Accommodations

Disability Services evaluates all requests for services and accommodations in conjunction with Suffolk University Law School policies. Students with permanent or temporary disabilities seeking accommodations must complete an accommodations request form and schedule an appointment with Disability Services by contacting Associate Dean of Students, Ann McGonigle Santos, at the Dean of Students Office at asantos@suffolk.edu or 617-573-8155. For more information about the process for requesting exam accommodations see Suffolk University Law School's Academic Accommodations Policy . If approved for accommodations, please note that accommodations are not automatically set up for each course or for each semester. Students must submit requests for exam accommodations each year, depending on the duration of accommodations specified in each student's accommodations approval letter. Some accommodations allow examinations to be administered in a distraction reduced environment or in a private or semi-private room. Students who are provided with exam accommodations may either type (ExamSoft) or handwrite examinations. Please note that an Accommodated student, like any other student, who reschedules an exam may be required to handwrite that exam if ExamSoft is not available for the rescheduled date.

Types of Examination

In a closed book examination , the examinee cannot bring any materials into the examination area.

In an open book examination , the examinee may bring materials without limitations into the examination area.

In a limited open book examination , the examinee may bring only the specified materials authorized by the faculty member into the examination area. All materials brought into the examination will, in fairness to all, be subject to inspection, and students who are deemed to have violated the terms of the limited open book allowance will have the material in question taken away and will not be able to refer to it during the examination.

Midterm/Mock Examinations

Midterm Examinations are defined as in-house examinations required of all students in a class and for whom grades earned will count toward the final term grade. Students will be provided with a separate unique exam number for the midterm examination that is different than the exam number used for the end of term examination ( My Suffolk > Web Advisor > Law Exam Information > My Examination Numbers > Term > 19/FLM ). Midterm exams may count up to 50% of the final grade.

Mock Examinations are defined as an in-house examination that will not count toward the final grade and are administered at the Law School.

Assignments are defined as those exercises that may be a take-home examination or other assignments or quizzes that may or may not count toward the final grade.

 ExamSoft is available to students for both Midterm and Mock Examinations.

 Students will be assigned examination numbers for all midterm and mock examinations, except for LPS. All LPS assignments will be completed using the XX/FL or XX/SL term examination numbers and not the XX/FLM or XX/SLM examination numbers.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Final Examinations

Final examinations may be essay only, multiple choice only, or a combination of essay and multiple choice. Final examinations are generally three hours or less, except for Summer Tax LLM examinations which are four hours in duration. Students will be provided with a separate unique exam number for the final examination that is different than the exam number used for the midterm examination ( My Suffolk > Web Advisor > Law Exam Information > My Examination Numbers > Term > 18/FL ).

Multiple Choice Examinations

Examinations may be entirely multiple choice or have a multiple choice component. The examination will include a scantron for answering multiple choice questions (see example below). Students must fill out their examination number and a special code (if applicable). Examinations will either ask questions with a specific answer (A, B, C, D or E) or will ask questions with a True or False answer (A= True, B= False). Please be careful when filling in the circles on scantron sheets for both your exam number and your answers. Double check that you are responding to the corresponding question for the right number/letter on the scantron (question 1 is response 1 on the scantron). If you are changing an answer, make sure that you erase the wrong response as completely as possible. Two responses for a question are considered an incorrect response.

Student Exam # NOT ID #

Exam Special Code (if applicable)

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Academic Support

Professors in the law school’s Academic Support Program (ASP) are available to help every student master the skills needed to excel in their law school examinations. To start, ASP offers voluntary classes during the fall semester. By early October, the focus in these classes is exam preparation. Every lecture is recorded and made available online so that you can access these materials wherever works best for you. In addition, any student can schedule a meeting – or a series of meetings – with an ASP Professor to address exam preparation. During these meetings, you will be shown how to: organize a legal argument; incorporate the law into your answer; utilize the facts to support your conclusions; and effectively address reasonable alternative points of view. Students who have any questions about how ASP can help, please contact Professor Ramy, at hramy@suffolk.edu .

Law Library

The Moakley Law Library occupies floors six and seven of Sargent Hall. The Law Library provides comfortable research and study areas, study rooms, and study carrels. The library has many resources that can help prepare you for examinations. For more information please click HERE .

Reading Period

There will be a reading period of approximately 2 days, between the end of classes and the start of the examination period.

Examination Schedule

A tentative exam schedule is available at the time of registration and is rarely changed. This can be viewed on My Suffolk ( My Suffolk > Exam Information > Exam Schedules ). Students are cautioned not to schedule any commitments during the examination period which may interfere with their exam schedule. A Snow Make-Up Day is scheduled in December, should examinations be postponed due to inclement weather. Examinations are scheduled Monday-Saturday. No exams are held on Sundays. Students who are unable to take exams on certain days for religious reasons, who have 3 proctored examinations within a 53 hour period, or who have extreme extenuating circumstances may submit an Examination Reschedule Request form to move an examination to the next Make-Up date. Students should never contact any faculty member regarding an exam reschedule as it will destroy anonymity in the exam process. Students who reschedule an examination will be eligible to use ExamSoft for the rescheduled exam provided the missed examination is rescheduled to the make-up date immediately following the original examination date. Examination room assignments are published at least two weeks prior to the start of the exam period and are posted on My Suffolk ( My Suffolk > Exam Information > Exam Schedules > Exam Schedule with Rooms) . Students with approved examination accommodations as provided by the Dean of Students Office will receive written notification from the Office of Academic Services of the exam accommodations, times, and locations for each scheduled examination.

Withdrawing from Classes during the Examination Period

No student may withdraw from a class after the examination period begins or while consideration of his or her academic standing is pending.

ExamSoft/Handwriters

Students may either type (using ExamSoft) or handwrite examinations. All students are automatically registered for ExamSoft. Students who choose not to use ExamSoft need only alert the proctor when entering the examination room and request a handwriting book. A handwriting book will be provided to students who experience problems with their laptops during the exam.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Character Count

There will be examinations for which the faculty member will impose restrictions on the number of writing books a student may use to respond to examination questions. Listed below is a conversion chart with typed character count equivalences.

Exam Booklet – Standard Blue Book

27

lines per page

32

pages per book

16

pages per book – every other side

ExamSoft Conversion

97

characters per blue book line

1358

characters per page – every other line

2619

characters per page – every line

2716

characters – 2 pages every other line

5238

characters – 2 pages every line

5432

characters – 4 pages every other line

10,476 characters – 4 pages every line

21,728 characters – 16 pages every other line 41,904 characters – 16 pages every line

43,456 characters – 32 pages every other line 83,808 characters – 32 pages every line

Typed examination responses should all be answered in question one. This will enable a student to track the character count for the exam.

ExamSoft

ExamSoft is special software that allows students to type examinations on personal laptops in a secure and encrypted word processing environment. It prevents the use of other computer programs installed on a student’s laptop; students are unable to access the Internet, computerized notes, documents, outlines or other materials during the exam. If students are permitted to bring notes in to the examination they must print the notes in advance. Any attempt to access other computer files or programs during the examination will be logged and reported to the Assistant Dean for Academic Services. A laptop power cord is required for ExamSoft. Because of the processes occurring while using ExamSoft, laptop batteries will not provide sufficient power. Students who do not have a power cord will not be able to use ExamSoft and will need to handwrite the exam.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Students taking midterm or final examinations at the regularly scheduled examination times will be allowed to use ExamSoft, provided these examinations are not exclusively multiple choice. Students who currently receive accommodations in the examination process are eligible to use ExamSoft. Examination questions are distributed in paper format. Only responses to examination questions are typed and uploaded. Exam course templates will be available for download prior to the start of the examination period.

Examplify Software Download Instructions

In order to use ExamSoft students will need to download the testing application “Examplify”

1. Go to www.examsoft.com/suffolklaw Click Exam Takers tab.

2. Log in with your My Suffolk username; for your password use your Student ID number.

3. Follow ExamSoft steps for Examplify installation. Institution ID is suffolklaw

4. Click Download and run the installation.

5. Read license agreement and click “I Agree” button

6. After installation an Examplify icon will appear on your desktop.

Students should re-download ExamSoft/Examplify each Fall to ensure that they have the most up-to-date version available. The most up-to-date version of Examplify is 1.9.0 for Windows and Mac

Students who have previously downloaded Examplify should update to the latest version by launching the Examplify application and selecting “update” when prompted. Students with version 1.5.4 or later will receive silent updates, so it is possible that Examplify may have updated in the background before launching the application. More information on silent updates can be found HERE . To verify your version of Examplify, students can follow the instructions HERE .

Download Course Exam Files Instructions

1. Launch Examplify by double-clicking on the Examplify icon

2. Click on “Download Exam Files” and enter your username (My Suffolk username)

3. Click “Next”. There is no download password.

4. Click “Next”. Highlight your exams and click “download”.

5. Select the appropriate Fall (FL) or Spring (SL) course examination template.

PROPERTY_I_102-1A_Murthy_FLM18 (Fall Midterm exam)

Example:

PROPERTY_I_102-1A_Murthy_FL18 (Fall final exam)

PROPERTY_I_152-1A_Murthy_SLM19 (Spring Midterm exam)

PROPERTY_I_152-1A_Murthy_SL19 (Spring final exam

Students should not download the course templates ending with MUFLM-, MUFL-, MUSLM-, MUSL- unless they have been instructed to do so.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Practice Test

Students who have not used ExamSoft before, or who have a new computer are strongly recommended to take a practice test prior to the examination period to ensure compatibility with software and familiarity with features. A mock examination template is available for this purpose:

Use password su1111

SuffolkMock_Doherty_999-crc

ExamSoft Features

Limited word-processor: No spell check, grammar check or thesaurus function will be available.

Autosave: ExamSoft automatically saves the examination answer file every minute. This ensures that no work will be lost in the event of a power outage or computer shutdown.

Exam Log: In addition to the examination answer file, a separate file maintains a record of certain examination data. As well as providing a log of examination settings, this file also records the time the student started the exam, the time the examination was ended by the student and any irregularities that might have occurred. The irregularity report will include any restart, total lapsed time and if the examination was exited normally. This information may only be accessed by authorized personnel. Restricted Printing and Exam File Access: The typed examination is saved in an encrypted format. Once the examination has ended, the examination may only be opened and printed by authorized personnel. Students will not have an opportunity to review their exam in printed form.

The encrypted examination will be printed within 24 hours of the administration of the examination, and should a problem occur with a student's printed examination, the Office of Academic Services will notify the student.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Take-Home Exams, Papers & Projects

Faculty members choosing to test students via take-home examinations, papers, and projects will provide written instructions. Take-home examinations are generally required to be completed within 24 hours to 48 hours. However, the duration of each take-home exam is determined by the faculty member. The time begins as soon as the exam is picked up. The time will be recorded at pick-up and at submission. The Office of Academic Services disseminates and collects take-home exams, papers and projects that require anonymity and exam numbers . Students must submit their anonymous take-home exams, papers or projects to the Office of Academic Services and not “The University Registrar’s Office”. Final papers that are not anonymous and will be submitted with a student’s name are submitted to that faculty member’s assistant.

Take-home examinations and papers are subject to the conditions imposed by the faculty member. Late submissions may incur a penalty, at the faculty member’s discretion.

Extension Requests for Papers, Projects and Take-Home Exams

Students are expected to plan for the due dates of papers, projects and take-home exams. If a student experiences an unforeseeable, extraordinary personal matter or emergency situation which presents an unavoidable conflict with the deadline for a paper, project or take-home, the student should contact the Dean of Students Office for assistance (unless the student is sure that the professor is accepting the paper, project or take-home non-anonymously , in which case the student should contact the professor for assistance). Examples of an unforeseeable, extraordinary personal or emergency situation include an issue relating to the health of the student, or close family member, or death of a family member. Documentation is required. Exam Connect allows students the option of returning take-home examinations to the Office of Academic Services electronically by uploading the examination or paper to a secure area on Campus Cruiser. This service is not available for all take-home exams or final projects, and its use is determined by the faculty member. Each course for which faculty members have requested that the Office of Academic Services distribute and/or collect examinations, will have its own course site on Campus Cruiser ( Courses > My Classes > Term > EXAM-18/FL or 19SL). Some faculty choose to make examinations available electronically in the shared files area on this site (if all students may pick-up and return the examinations at the same time); for hard copy examinations, students will need to come to the Office of Academic Services for pick up only. If students are provided with a window of time during the examination period to pick up and return an exam (e.g. 24 hours, 48 hours etc.) the student must pick up the exam in the Office of Academic Services. The student may then upload the completed exam to ExamConnect. Students should upload their documents in Word or PDF format only. The file should be named using your examination number and the course title e.g. 1543210_Health Law.docx. Please also include this information in the header of the file. Please do not include your name, student ID number or any identifying information in the file. If a faculty member requires an academic integrity statement or certification students must provide a certificate on a separate page, using their examination number as the signature name. Exam Connect

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

To submit the exam:

 Once you are in the exam site, go to the Student Tools Menu and select “My Exam Submission”



Click on “Take-Home Exam”



Click on



Click the

button. Select your file and click



Click

to upload your exam.

Students must submit their take-home examinations within the required time period. All examination uploads to Exam Connect will be date/time stamped at the time of submission and will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the due date/time. Students who experience any difficulty uploading their examination to Exam Connect must immediately submit the examination to the Assistant Dean of Academic Services by email at lcove@suffolk.edu

Proctored Examinations - Know the Rules

The rules regarding taking exams are very strict. You should familiarize yourself with all of the examination Rules and Regulations to ensure compliance.

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EXAM DAY

On Exam Day

What to Bring to Exams

 Student ID (driver's license with photo is acceptable)



Beverage in a covered container



Pens

 Pencils (pencils will also be available in the examination room)

 Books and materials for open book examinations or limited book examinations.

o In a closed book examination , the examinee cannot bring any materials into the examination area.

o In an open book examination , the examinee may bring materials without limitations into the examination area. o In a limited open book examination , the examinee may bring only the specified materials authorized by the faculty member into the examination area. All materials brought into the examination will, in fairness to all, be subject to inspection, and students who are deemed to have violated the terms of the limited open book allowance will have the material in question taken away and will not be able to refer to it during the examination.

All other items should be stored in your locker until after the examination. Any materials found anywhere outside of the examination room will be removed.

Examsoft Users Must Also Bring

 Laptop - Students must provide their own ExamSoft compatible laptop.



Power cord



Fully charged laptop battery



Network Cable (optional)

What NOT to Bring

The items listed below should not be brought into the examination room and should be stored in your locker. Any items on this list brought into the examination room must be stored in the front of the room in the area designated by the proctor.  Cellphones, handheld devices, smart watches, calculators (unless specifically allowed in examination instructions) or any other electronic device. Only students who are using a laptop for purposes of ExamSoft may bring a laptop into the examination room.  Food or food related products of any kind (i.e. candy, gum, mints), unless a documented medical condition exists and authorization has been received



Hats, caps or hoods may not be worn

 Headphones or ear plugs (ear plugs will be provided for you)



Handbags, backpacks, briefcases



Scrap paper

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EXAM DAY

On the Day of Exams

When you arrive to take an exam, remember:

 Check your room assignment. Please note that there may be more than one exam administered in the same classroom. The examination schedule with room assignments is posted on My Suffolk > Exam Information > Exam Schedules > Exam Schedule with Rooms . Schedules will be posted and individual copies are also available in the Office of Academic Services.  Arrive one-half-hour before the listed time of the exam. Do not enter the examination room until the proctor instructs you to do so. Students may only enter the examination room when the proctor so indicates and upon the presentation of their student ID or other photo identification. Each student must be checked into the examination room.  Your exam number is listed on your examination card, which will be provided to you when you check in to the exam. Use your exam number to identify yourself on your exam - not your student ID number.



Students must sit in every other seat.

 Proctors will write the ExamSoft password and character count (if applicable) on the board.

 Do NOT begin the exam until instructed to do so.

 Each examination instruction page will include the number of pages in the examination and the number of questions contained. Read and listen to all instructions carefully before beginning your exam.

SAMPLE

SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

COURSE TITLE

Spring 2019

PROFESSOR’S NAME

OPEN BOOK, LIMITED OPEN BOOK, OR CLOSED BOOK EXAM # Pages Student Exam #__

Examination Content: Multiple Choice:_________________________

Number of Questions___ Number of Questions___ Number of Questions___

True/False:

_____________________________ _____________________________

Essay:

Allowable Materials: Examination Instructions: ____________________________________________________

Proctors

All examinations are administered by proctors to ensure that the Exam Rules and Regulations , and course examination instructions, are followed by all examinees. Students who violate Rules and Regulations and Academic Standards and/or who fail to follow instructions in the examination room as provided by proctors will be subject to disciplinary action.  Proctors check all students in to the examination room. If you are planning to handwrite the examination please notify the proctor at check-in so that they may provide you with a handwriting book. Proctors will examine materials brought in to a limited open book examination at check-in to ensure that the materials are in compliance with the faculty member’s instructions.

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EXAM DAY

 Proctors announce examination instructions and distribute and collect examinations.

 Proctors keep official time and will announce the beginning and ending time of the examination. A 1 hour warning and 10 minute warning will be provided. No student will be permitted to check out or leave the room during the last 10 minutes of the examination even if you have completed the examination.  If you need assistance during the examination (questions regarding the exam, computer issues, finished handwriting book and require additional book etc.) please raise your hand and wait for the proctor to come to you.  During the examination the proctor/s will walk around the room continuously. Each student’s identification card must be visible during the course of the examination and all examination material must be in view of the proctor. Possession of unauthorized materials during an exam is a violation of academic integrity (II.F) and is subject to disciplinary action.  Students may leave the examination room, with proctor permission, only to use the restroom on the same floor as the room in which the student is taking the examination. Only ONE student is permitted to leave the examination room at a time and must be signed out and in by the proctor. The student must give all of their examination materials to the proctor upon leaving the room. The materials will be returned by the proctor to the student upon reentering the examination room. Students using a laptop must lower the laptop cover (do not close). Students are not permitted to visit any other areas for any other reason during the examination.  Once the proctor announces that the examination has ended, all remaining students must stop writing OR typing and remain seated. The proctor will announce final instructions for uploading the examination and inform the students when and how they may approach the desk to submit their examination material. There should not be any communication among students during this period.

ExamSoft Issues During the Exam

 Students must use their examination number, not their ID number. Your exam number is listed on your exam card. If you enter your student ID number by mistake, let the proctor know. Do not try to go back to correct this error. The proctor will inform the Office of Academic Services at the end of the exam. The Office of Academic Services will add your correct exam number to your exam.

 ExamSoft saves work automatically every minute.

 Technical staff assist in the administration of ExamSoft by staffing a help desk located on the second and third floors. IT Support technicians are not available to assist students before the exam. Students are expected to have downloaded the software and course exam template prior to the day of the exam. Technicians are there to assist with technical issues only (i.e. freezing) during the exam and any uploading issues at the end of the exam.  Troubleshooting should not be attempted by students. If you experience an issue with ExamSoft during the examination please raise your hand and notify the proctor. The proctor will page the IT Support technician for assistance, and provide you with a handwriting book so that you may continue the examination. Please start writing immediately. If the IT Support technician is unable to resolve the issue, the student must handwrite the remainder of the examination. IT Support will not be able to troubleshoot a student’s computer more than once. No additional time will be provided to any student for technical issues.

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EXAM DAY

Uploading ExamSoft

When the proctor announces the end of the exam please plug in your network cable (optional) or you may use the wifi.

 Go to “Exam Controls” and select “Submit Exam”.

 At the next page, select “I am ready to exit my exam”. Click “Exit”.

 Once you have clicked “Exit” please wait for the confirmation screen. You must complete a successful upload before leaving the examination room.

 Once a student completes an examination with ExamSoft, only authorized personnel can access and print the student’s examination.

ExamSoft is designed with many safeguards to protect the integrity of the exam process and to ensure that even in the unlikely event of a malfunction, the student’s exam data is protected and accessible. In the unlikely and rare circumstance that a student believes that all or a portion of an exam answer that he or she believes to have properly typed during the examination while using ExamSoft is missing, the law school will investigate and resolve the matter in accordance with the process outlined HERE.

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EXAM DAY

Academic Integrity

Any violation of academic integrity shall be viewed as a serious infraction of the Rules and Regulations of the Law School. Violations of academic integrity shall include, but are not limited to, dishonesty in the examination process and plagiarism in written work. Plagiarism is the representation of the language, ideas or format of another as one’s own in any writing submitted for academic purposes. Use of the work of another without proper attribution constitutes plagiarism whether or not the writer acts with intent to mislead or deceive. However, such intent, or the lack of it, may be considered in determining the proper sanction if a violation is established. The presumptive sanction for a deliberate act of plagiarism is suspension or dismissal from the Law School. Please ensure that you have read the Academic Integrity regulations (II.F). Students are responsible for compliance with these requirements. The regulations apply to all work submitted by a student for any course or school-related activity.

Academic Integrity Statement

At the end of the examination each student must sign the Academic Integrity Statement on the back of the examination card.

Students must return the examination card along with the examination questions, the examination answer book and any supplementary writing materials, handouts, scantron sheets, and all materials distributed during the examination to the proctor.

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EXAM DAY EMERGENCIES

Emergencies on Exam Day

Inclement Weather Delay

In the event that weather or other emergency conditions warrant the closing, delayed start, or early closure of the University, announcements will be made via the University Emergency Messaging System, RAVE, and posted on the University website.

Closing or delayed start announcements affecting day classes/activities will be made by 5:30 a.m.

In the event the University is closed for the day, we will alert the University community mid-day regarding the status of evening classes/activities that begin at 4 p.m. or later (unless already announced).

Announcements will be listed on the following outlets:

WBZ-TV



WCVB-TV



NBC Boston (WTBS)



NECN



7 News



Fox25-TV Boston



 Rhode Island Broadcasters Association participating members

Please call 617-573-8262 for updated messages. Do not call the University Police Department, switchboard, administrative offices, radio, or television stations to verify University closing.

Late Arrival

Students are expected to be on time for examinations and arrive 30 minutes before the starting time of the exam. Any student who arrives after the start time of the examination, due to transportation problems or other extenuating circumstances, should report to the Dean of Students. Under extraordinary circumstances only the Dean of Students may permit the student to begin the examination at a later time with the full time allocation. Any student who arrives to the examination room after the starting time of the examination (without approval of the Dean of Students) will not be permitted any additional time to complete the examination. ExamSoft users who arrive late to an examination will be required to handwrite the examination.

Exam Interruption

This policy applies to situations in which a student begins, but does not complete, an examination.

The Law School encourages students who are ill or experiencing an extraordinary personal situation to seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office before an examination begins. In addition, students with pre- existing conditions, illnesses, or situations that could cause an unexpected interruption during examinations should discuss the situation with the Dean of Students Office before the examination period. If an incident occurs during the examination, the student must notify the proctor immediately. The proctor will then refer the student to a Law School administrator. A student in this situation must identify himself/herself before the examination ends, as accommodations cannot be made after the fact for illness during an examination.

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EXAM DAY EMERGENCIES

If the student, after consulting with the Assistant Dean for Academic Services and/or the Dean of Students or Associate Dean of Students, is unable to complete an exam due to a medical or mental health issue, then he/she must report immediately to Health Services, his/her private physician or the Emergency Room at a hospital. The University Police, Academic Services Office and Dean of Students Office can assist with transportation to a local Emergency Room. It is important to note that a contemporaneous and comprehensive, professional evaluation of a student in this situation is an important element in a petition for excusal from the examination as outlined HERE (Section II). No student may fail to take an examination scheduled for his or her program of study or take an examination not so scheduled. If for some compelling reason beyond his or her control the student is unable to take a scheduled examination, the student should contact the Dean of Students before missing the exam or as soon as practicable thereafter to request relief under the Exam Postponement Policy. An unapproved failure to take a scheduled examination will result in a grade of F for the examination. If the Dean of Students approves a student’s request to postpone an exam and it is not feasible for the student to take the exam within 30 days of its regular administration or within a reasonable timeframe for grading if shorter, the student will be given an Exam Excusal and the student’s grade will be recorded temporarily as an “X”. A permanent grade of F will be recorded if the student fails to take the next regularly scheduled examination in the course. In situations where it is not feasible for the student to take an examination the next time it is offered after receiving an Exam Excusal, an Academic Associate Dean shall have discretion to determine a resolution. Failure to Take Examinations

A student who without permission fails to sit for a final examination will receive a grade of F for the course and may be dismissed.

No record will be made or credit given for an unapproved taking of any examination.

Emergency Procedure During an Exam

In the event of an emergency an evacuation signal will sound. All students must evacuate the building immediately.

 Exam materials should be left in the examination room, including laptops. Students who remove laptops from the exam room will need to handwrite the remaining portion of the examination.

 Use the closest available exit stairwell to exit the building. Do NOT use elevators.

 When exiting the building, use sidewalks and walk away from the building to allow for access by the Boston Fire Department and emergency personnel.

 Go to the designated assembly area located on Bosworth Street, at the corner with Chapman Place (this is the area between the Beantown Pub and the Nine-Zero Hotel).

 Do not discuss the examination. Await further instructions.

 No individual may re-enter the building until the Boston Fire department or other emergency personnel have given the all clear.

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EXAMINATION POLICIES

Examination Policies

Examination Rescheduling Requests

The exam period is intensive for all students. It is not uncommon for students to have exams on successive days or to have two exams in one day. Students are also expected to plan for the due dates of papers/projects assigned during the semester and to properly manage the time allotted for take-home examinations. It is expected that students will sit for all examinations as scheduled. Under certain circumstances however, the Law School Administration may grant a student the ability to take an examination after the original scheduled exam date. Make-up examinations are permitted for the following reasons:



student illness;

 death of an immediate family member;

 three proctored examinations within a 53 hour period;



active military service;

 or other extreme extenuating circumstance.

Students who wish to request adjustment to their exam schedule must not discuss the matter with their professor. Students should never contact any faculty member regarding an exam reschedule as it will destroy anonymity in the exam process. Instead, students with three proctored exams in 53 hours should submit the online Examination Reschedule form . Students seeking to reschedule exams due to an emergency situation or extraordinary personal matter should contact the Dean of Students Office. A rescheduled examination will be administered on a date no earlier than the date originally set. The Office of Academic Services administers all make-up exams. The make-up examination will take place on the closest available make-up date after the original examination date. Under extraordinary circumstances, make-up examinations may occur after the examination period, but not later than 30 days after the end of the exam period.

Please note: examinations rescheduled to the first make-up date after the original exam date will be permitted to use Examplify. Students will need to download a new make-up exam template (e.g.

2310-ADMU CONVEYANCING_2310-AE_Keenan_MUF18

For an examination rescheduled on a date other than the first make-up date after the original exam date, Examplify will NOT be available. The student must handwrite the examination.

If, after the Office of Academic Services has rescheduled an examination, there is a change in a student’s exam schedule (withdrawal from a course, change in examination administration) which would eliminate the conflict, it is the student’s responsibility to notify OAS. The Office of Academic Services will determine whether the student’s eligibility for a rescheduled examination still exists.

Failure to Take Examinations

No student may fail to take an examination scheduled for his or her program of study or take an examination not so scheduled. If for some compelling reason beyond his or her control the student is unable to take a scheduled examination, the student should contact the Dean of Students before missing the exam or as soon as practicable thereafter to request relief under the Exam Postponement Policy. An unapproved failure to take a scheduled examination will result in a grade of F for the examination.

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EXAMINATION POLICIES

If the Dean of Students approves a student’s request to postpone an exam and it is not feasible for the student to take the exam within 30 days of its regular administration or within a reasonable timeframe for grading if shorter, the student will be given an Exam Excusal and the student’s grade will be recorded temporarily as an “X”. A permanent grade of F will be recorded if the student fails to take the next regularly scheduled examination in the course. In situations where it is not feasible for the student to take an examination the next time it is offered after receiving an Exam Excusal, an Academic Associate Dean shall have discretion to determine a resolution.

A student who without permission fails to sit for a final examination will receive a grade of F for the course and may be dismissed.

No record will be made or credit given for an unapproved taking of any examination.

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GRADING

Grading

Grading Systems

Students will be graded on a scale of 0.000 to 4.000. Faculty may request a half-step grade increase for a student’s class participation provided such participation was not already included in the original grade submitted. Faculty must submit to the Assistant Dean for Academic Services a list of students receiving grade increases at the time of, or prior to, submission of grades. Cumulative and yearly grade point averages (GPAs) will be computed and recorded by a 0.000 to 4.000 system. A student’s official transcript will also show the letter grades awarded for all courses taken and will translate those letter grades into yearly and final cumulative grade point averages (GPAs). Grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+ and C are considered Satisfactory (but receiving satisfactory grades does not guarantee a grade point average sufficient to maintain good academic standing). Grades of C-, D+, D, and D- are considered Unsatisfactory. A grade of F is considered a Failure and no credit is awarded.

Once course grades are submitted by the instructor to the Academic Services Office they may not be altered (other than to correct a clerical error), and are not subject to appeal by students.

JD Grading Scale

4.000

High Honors

A

HH

3.670

Honors

A-

H

3.330

Pass

B+

P

3.000

Low Pass

B

L

2.670

Satisfactory

B-

S

2.330

Credit

C+

CR

2.000

Unsatisfactory

C

U

1.670

No Credit

C-

NC

1.330

Failure

D+

F

1.000

D

0.670

D-

0.000

F

LL.M and Exchange Students Alternative Grading Scale

HH High Honors – A, A-, B+

Pass – C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-

P

Honors – B, B-

Fail - F

H

F

LLM and Exchange students (except students from Lund, Sweden) have the option of receiving grades as assigned by Faculty (A, B, C, etc.) or may select the alternative grading system. LLM and Exchange students are required to submit the online LLM Grade Election Form/Exchange Student Grade Election Form no later than the last day of classes each semester. Grade Election forms are located on Web Advisor > Law Grades/Academic .

SJD Students are automatically graded on the alternative grading system.

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GRADING

Additional Transcript Notations

Course in Progress

Incomplete

CIP

I

Year Long Course

No Grade Assigned

YL

NG

Year Long Course

Withdrawal*

Y

W

Transfer Credit

Excusal from exam

T

X

* A course that is dropped after the end of the semester will be reported as “WI” on the student transcript.

Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade point calculation is determined by multiplying the numerical grade equivalency 4.0 (A), 3.67 (A-), 3.33 (B+), 3.00 (B), 2.67 (B-), 2.33 (C+), 2.00 (C), 1.67 (C-), 1.33 (D+), 1.00 (D), .67 (D-), 0 (F) by the credits earned for each course. Grade Points are then divided by credits earned for the terms to equal Grade Point Average. Satisfactory grades without a numerical equivalent are included in the total hours (TH) toward the degree, but are not included in the numerically graded hours (NGH) or grade point average.

Example:

Torts

4 credits

A

4.00

4 x 4.00 = 16

Contracts

3 credits

B+

3.33

3 x 3.33 = 9.99

25.99 25.99 ÷ 7 credits = 3.71 GPA

There is a GPA calculator on My Suffolk > Grades > Academic Profile where students can estimate their GPA. This is also helpful for students enrolled in Concentrations who need to meet a 3.25 GPA in Concentration courses.

Grading Policy

1. Grading standards for the required courses in Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, and Torts.

The distribution of grades submitted in a course by a faculty member shall conform to the following limits:

5% to 10% of enrolled students can receive an A

20% to 25% of enrolled students can receive an A– or higher

35% to 45% of enrolled students can receive a B+ and higher

65% to 70% of enrolled students can receive a B and higher

30% to 35% of enrolled students can receive a B– and lower

20 to 25% of enrolled students can receive a C+ and higher

10% to 16% of enrolled students can receive a C and lower

0% to 12% of enrolled students can receive a C– and lower

2. B+ median: In courses other than those covered by paragraph 1 of this Policy and having an enrollment of 25 or more students, the required median final course grade is B+.

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