4.1 Exam Absences and Conflicts

This section governs requests to reschedule mid-term and final exams unrelated to formal accommodations.  

It is the responsibility of each student to be present at the appointed time for exams. Any student who fails to sit for a scheduled exam without permission may fail the exam or suffer a grade reduction. 

There may be times when students will request to reschedule exams due to serious illness, personal crisis, or conflict with another exam. Each course syllabus should set forth a policy for exam absences and conflicts. Where the syllabus does not provide a policy for exam absences and conflicts, or where the syllabus refers to this Student Handbook, this section governs. 

Procedure to Reschedule Due to Absence 

Notify the Office of Academic Affairs academicdeanoffice@law.cuny.edu within 24 hours of the exam and submit supporting documentation verifying an extenuating circumstance that is (1) unforeseen, (2) unavoidable, (3) demonstrably beyond the student’s ability to control, and (4) of such severity to warrant consideration. 

Petitions that are not accompanied by supporting documentation will not be considered and may result in a grade reduction on the exam, or an “F” on the exam. 

The supporting documentation provided to the Office of Academic Affairs should be typed, dated and drafted by a qualified person. For example, in the case of emergency hospitalization or illness, documentation should be drafted by a licensed professional, including their name, title, and professional credentials, and cite the reason for hospitalization or illness for which treatment was sought. 

Exams will be rescheduled as soon as possible after the original exam date within the exam period. Exams will not be rescheduled beyond one day after the end of the published exam period. Please refer to the Incomplete Policy for further information. 

Procedure to Reschedule Due to Conflict  

Students may petition to reschedule an exam when they have (1) two exams scheduled on the same day; or (2) three exams scheduled within any 48-hour period 

Submit a Petition to Reschedule Due to Conflict form at least one full week before the examination. 

NOTE: Rescheduled Final Exam Fee  

All rescheduled final exams are subject to the CUNY examination fee. The fee for the first rescheduled exam is $25, with each additional examination during that semester costing $5. Fees are payable by cash or money order (no personal checks) to the Business Office before the start of the exam. You must present your paid receipt to the Office of Academic Affairs, in order to take the examination. This fee applies only to final examinations.