Skip to main content

Final Exam

Understanding Final Exams in Higher Education

 A final exam is a culminating assessment at the end of an academic term designed to evaluate comprehensive understanding of course material. It can be written, oral, practical, or project-based.

Glossary Terms
Term
Description
Final Exam

A comprehensive assessment administered at the end of a course to measure student learning outcomes.

Exam Schedule

An institutionally coordinated timetable for final exam administration.

Cumulative Exam

A final exam that covers material from the entire course rather than just the last unit.

Take-Home Exam

A final exam completed outside of class, usually within a defined timeframe.

Exam Proctoring

Monitoring to ensure academic integrity during the exam, either in-person or online.

Grade Weight

The percentage of a course grade assigned to the final exam.

Evolving Assessment Formats

Many institutions are rethinking final exams in favor of alternative assessments like projects, presentations, or portfolios. Online proctoring and AI tools are being used to secure remote testing environments.