Exam Conflicts
What's on this page?
Who is this for?
Harvard College Students, GSAS Students, Cross-Registered Students
Exam Conflicts
You may request to reschedule a final exam under the limited circumstances outlined below. If approved, you will be emailed your out of sequence details 3 weeks before the Final Exam Period.
Important: Cross registered students must take the exam on the date and time of the scheduled exam or risk receiving a failing grade of ABS. Final Exams cannot be rescheduled due to a difference in term end dates.
Academic
- If your exam dates conflict and the exams are scheduled by the Registrar's Office, no action is required. We will automatically reschedule one of the exams.
- If your exams dates conflict but the exam is not scheduled by our office (e.g. another school), contact the FAS Registrar’s Office – Exams Team at exams@fas.harvard.edu.
Harvard Athletics
Students who have qualified for a post-season varsity championship where they are representing Harvard may require out of sequence or in absentia exams. No student action is needed. The Registrar’s Office will make all appropriate arrangements with Harvard Athletics.
Religious
Students with a religious conflict during the exam period must submit the Religious Out-of-Sequence Exam Form at least 30 days before the start of the exam period. The deadline to submit the form for spring 2026 final exams period was April 6th.
Disability or Health
- Students currently registered with Disability Access Office (DAO): The Registrar’s Office will schedule out of sequence exams for students who currently receive accommodations through DAO.
- Students not currently registered with DAO: Contact DAO as soon as possible if you think you'll need disability or health-related accommodations for final exams. Temporary accommodations may be possible in the event of unanticipated illness or injury.
In Absentia Exams
Undergraduates requesting to take a final exam off site (In Absentia) must receive approval from the Administrative Board and complete the in absentia request form. You are responsible for finding a suitable proctor to administer the exam in absentia. Contact your Resident Dean with any questions.
Proctoring requirements: Students are responsible for identifying a suitable proctor (subject to approval by the Registrar’s Office) and for making all scheduling arrangements. Students are also responsible for any fees associated with proctoring, including mailing a hard copy of the exam, if required, and any hourly fees charged by the proctor’s organization. Acceptable proctors are typically individuals working in educational or testing environments, such as K–12 schools, colleges or universities, testing centers, tutoring centers, or libraries. The proctor cannot be a friend or family member. The proctor must be physically present with the student for the duration of the exam; remote proctoring, online proctors, and automated or recorded surveillance systems are not acceptable. The proctor must be able to scan and email a PDF copy of the completed exam to the Registrar’s Office immediately following the exam.
Filing an In Absentia Exam Request Form
Talk with your Resident Dean about taking the exam in absentia, they will bring your request to the Administrative Board.
When the in absentia exam has been approved by the Administrative Board, follow these instructions to file the request form to take your exam off-site.
1. Sign in to my.harvard.
Under the Student Home tab, select Documents:
2. Click on the In Absentia Exam Request form in the Electronic Forms section:
3. Fill out the required fields of the form such as date of departure, course information, original exam date and time and proctor information, and then click Next.
4. Review the in absentia rules and regulations section and acknowledge the student responsibilities by printing your name and agreeing to the terms.
5. Finally click Submit to complete the form.
The form will be routed via email to your Resident Dean for review and approval. Once approved, the Exams Office will be in touch with any follow-up questions and exam coordination.
