Page 61 - Postgraduate Catalog 2026-27

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6. If a student has missed an exam for any reason (other Retention of Final Examinations information that can help both students and instructors Roles and Responsibilities
than medical reasons as already noted), she/he may to build on the strengths and remedy the weaknesses.
appeal to retake the test or exam if extreme justifying Faculty are encouraged to make graded final examinations The task of achieving excellence in assessment requires
circumstances warrant it. A written appeal must or papers available to students at the end of the semester. • Summative assessment, on the other hand, is usually collaboration among four parties: the Manager of
describe the circumstances which caused the student to The College will retain a copy of each student’s graded carried out at the end of the semester and is used the Center for Faculty Development, College Deans,
miss the examination, and supporting documentation final examination/paper and examples from across the to determine the extent to which the students have Department Chairs/Program Directors, Faculty and
should be provided where appropriate. Copies of the range of student performance of graded responses to all achieved the course learning objectives or outcomes Students.
appeal must be sent to the respective faculty member assessment instruments of the last two presentations of (grading function). It helps instructors make decisions
and to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs the course to evaluate program effectiveness. and judgments for purposes of student promotion 1. The role of the Director of the Center for Faculty
for review and approval. and/or graduation. Final exams and projects, among Development is to plan faculty development activities on
other forms, serve this purpose.
Student Assessment and Late student assessment, such as workshops and seminars.
Rules Governing Final Coursework Guidelines • Formative assessment, in contrast to summative 2. The role of the College Dean is:
Examinations assessment, is conducted throughout the semester and • to ensure that colleges have their own discipline-
is used to enhance the learning and teaching process.
ADU believes that quality assessment should both Information provided by this ongoing assessment helps specific assessment guidelines and procedures
1. No faculty may hold a final examination except during document student success (assessment OF learning) and students improve their study skills, learning strategies that are consistent with ADU Student Assessment
the period in which final examinations are scheduled. help students improve and learn better through provision and achievement, thus support ongoing student guidelines;
The final examination times will be posted by the of timely feedback on their performance (assessment FOR progress, and helps instructors diagnose and respond
Registrar and will take place immediately following learning) and how to improve it. Moreover, faculty should to student needs (development and improvement • to ensure that these guidelines and procedures are
the thirteenth week of the Fall and Spring semesters. develop assessment methods and tasks that serve both function). periodically reviewed; and
The Summer semester final examination schedule purposes of assessments and target knowledge mastery • to ensure that departments use assessment results
will be coordinated within the Summer semester and as well as higher order thinking skills and abilities. In sum, Assessment Methods for program improvement.
students will be notified of the given date in advance. excellence in assessment is integral to achieving excellence
in teaching and learning, which is in harmony with ADU Accurate and sound assessment requires that a variety 3. The role of the department chair/program director/
2. No student may be required to take more than two vision and mission. of appropriate assessment methods be used and aligned coordinator is:
final examinations on any calendar day during the with the intended learning outcomes. There are generally
period in which final examinations are scheduled. Definition two main assessment methods: traditional and alternative/ • to collaborate with faculty members in developing
If more than two are scheduled, the Office of the Assessment is the gathering of evidence of student authentic. The former includes tools such as paper-and- assessment guidelines and procedures that are
Registrar will permit a postponement allowing students learning and achievement to guide instructional decisions pencil tests and exams while the latter includes tools similar appropriate to their major fields;
to sit for such an examination at a later date. and aid student learning. to performance tasks, essays, presentations, projects, • to ensure that faculty members implement these
3. Examinations that are postponed because more than Purposes of Assessment practical work, case studies, reports, portfolios. The choice guidelines and procedures;
among these tools depends on the discipline, the nature
two examinations are scheduled on the same day, of the individual course as well as the intended learning • to ensure that faculty members inform students of
or because an examination conflicts with another Assessment serves multiple purposes. It provides feedback outcomes. assessment criteria;
examination or when more than two examinations are to the two main immediate users of assessment information • to review assessment methods and criteria; and
scheduled on the same day, may be taken at another or results: students and faculty. The following are the assessment tools that ADU faculty
time during the final examination period once the members can choose from in assessing their student • to ensure that assessment results are used for
faculty member and student both agree on a time. • Students receive relevant feedback on their performance and achievement: continuous improvement of learning and instruction
performance and how to improve it, and instructors • Tests and exams
4. Laboratory work and oral examinations which form receive feedback on their strategies of instructional • Assignments/homework 4. The role of faculty members is:
part of a final exam are allowed to be taken in the week delivery. Moreover, assessment results help students • to inform students at the beginning of the semester of
preceding the period set for the final examinations, but to reflect on their learning experience, to adjust their • Projects the assessment methods and criteria that will be used
all of the university required written final examinations learning strategies and skills, and to identify where they • Reports in assessing their performance and achievement;
must be given during the final exam period. need help. • Presentations
• Faculty receive feedback which helps them to reflect • Essays • to provide students with feedback on their performance
5. No faculty may change the time, date or location of a on their instructional strategies, to make necessary and how it can be improved. Effective feedback should
final exam without permission from the Registrar. adjustments, to track student progress, and to identify • Papers be provided in a timely and constructive manner and
6. No faculty member may increase the time allowed for which students need extra help. • Case studies includes both comments and grades.
a final exam beyond the scheduled two hours without Assessment Types • Exhibitions Late Submission Coursework
permission from the respective Dean and Registrar. • Portfolios
There are three major types of assessment: diagnostic, • Self-assessment The due date for each class assignment or project should
be clearly indicated to the students in the course outline.
summative and formative.
• Capstone course or graduation project Assignments received more than two weeks after the due
• Diagnostic assessment is usually conducted at the • Performance through observing and judging date should not be accepted.
beginning of the semester and is used to identify
student strengths and weaknesses. It provides

Abu Dhabi University | Postgraduate Catalog 2026 - 2027 Abu Dhabi University | Postgraduate Catalog 2026 - 2027