Page 54 - Postgraduate Handbook 2024-25

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learned during the semester, Retention of Final Examinations
6. If a student has missed an exam for any reason (other Faculty are encouraged to make graded final examinations
than medical reasons as already noted), she/he may or papers available to students at the end of the semester.
appeal to retake the test or exam if extreme justifying The College will retain a copy of each student’s graded
circumstances warrant it. A written appeal must final examination/paper and examples from across the
describe the circumstances which caused the student to range of student performance of graded responses to all
miss the examination, and supporting documentation assessment instruments of the last two presentations of
should be provided where appropriate. Copies of the the course to evaluate program effectiveness.
appeal must be sent to the respective faculty member
and to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
for review and approval. Student Assessment and Late
Coursework Guidelines
Rules Governing Final ADU believes that quality assessment should both
Examinations document student success (assessment OF learning) and
help students improve and learn better through provision
1. No faculty may hold a final examination except during of timely feedback on their performance (assessment FOR
the period in which final examinations are scheduled. learning) and how to improve it. Moreover, faculty should
The final examination times will be posted by the develop assessment methods and tasks that serve both
Registrar and will take place immediately following purposes of assessments and target knowledge mastery
the thirteenth week of the Fall and Spring semesters. as well as higher order thinking skills and abilities. In sum,
The Summer semester final examination schedule excellence in assessment is integral to achieving excellence
will be coordinated within the Summer semester and in teaching and learning, which is in harmony with ADU
students will be notified of the given date in advance. vision and mission.
2. No student may be required to take more than two Definition
final examinations on any calendar day during the Assessment is the gathering of evidence of student
period in which final examinations are scheduled. learning and achievement to guide instructional decisions
If more than two are scheduled, the Office of the and aid student learning.
Registrar will permit a postponement allowing students
to sit for such an examination at a later date. Purposes of Assessment
3. Examinations that are postponed because more than Assessment serves multiple purposes. It provides feedback
two examinations are scheduled on the same day, to the two main immediate users of assessment information
or because an examination conflicts with another or results: students and faculty.
examination or when more than two examinations are
scheduled on the same day, may be taken at another • Students receive relevant feedback on their
time during the final examination period once the performance and how to improve it, and instructors
faculty member and student both agree on a time. receive feedback on their strategies of instructional
delivery. Moreover, assessment results help students
4. Laboratory work and oral examinations which form to reflect on their learning experience, to adjust their
part of a final exam are allowed to be taken in the week learning strategies and skills, and to identify where they
preceding the period set for the final examinations, but need help.
all of the university required written final examinations • Faculty receive feedback which helps them to reflect
must be given during the final exam period.
on their instructional strategies, to make necessary
5. No faculty may change the time, date or location of a adjustments, to track student progress, and to identify
final exam without permission from the Registrar. which students need extra help.
Assessment Types
6. No faculty member may increase the time allowed for
a final exam beyond the scheduled two hours without There are three major types of assessment: diagnostic,
permission from the respective Dean and Registrar. summative and formative.
• Diagnostic assessment is usually conducted at the
beginning of the semester and is used to identify
student strengths and weaknesses. It provides

Abu Dhabi University | Postgraduate Handbook 2024 - 2025