Penn State
Lewis Katz Building, University Park, PA
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Final Exam Regulations (J.D. and LL.M.)

  1. General Regulations: Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance, failure to stop writing or typing when time is called, use of unauthorized materials or devices, violating Law School regulations or in any other manner practicing dishonesty during or in connection with an exam is a violation of the Penn State Law Honor Code and may result in the student’s expulsion from the Law School. In addition, faculty may assign a grade of F or another grade-based sanction for dishonest behavior in connection with an exam. Personal headphones, including noise canceling, are not permitted. The Law School provides ear plugs upon request. Students shall be provided with scratch paper at the time of the exam

Mobile Devices. The use of mobile devices (cell phones, smart watches, fitness trackers etc.) is prohibited during law school exams. If you bring a mobile device (other than those specifically authorized by the professor) into an exam, you must turn it off completely, they may not be on vibrate mode and store it with your other belongings in the front of the room (see below about personal belongings). If you need to be reached during an exam due to a family emergency, please provide your family member the following list of contacts to call:

Student Services:

(814) 867-1261

 Registrar:

(814) 863-9938

If we receive an emergency call for you, a staff member will escort you from the exam to a private office so you may address the emergency.

Calculators. If you are permitted to use a calculator during an exam, you must use an “old-fashioned” calculator that has no other function and cannot be connected to the internet.  You may not use a calculator application on a cell phone or any other electronic device.

Dictionaries. If you are permitted by your professor to use a dictionary, you may use a traditional paper English language and/or translation dictionary or you may use a foreign language translating dictionary in an electronic form, provided it has no memory capacity, contains no other functions besides language translation, and does not connect to the internet.  You may not use a dictionary application on a cell phone or any other electronic device. Students are responsible for making sure that any electronic devices they use comply with these guidelines.

Personal Belongings. All backpacks, bags, books, and materials not otherwise permitted during an examination must be stored in the front of the classroom.

Leaving the Exam Room.  If you need to leave the exam room at any time during the exam (for a restroom break or otherwise), you must be absolutely certain that you do not carry a cell phone or similar electronic device with you out of the exam room.

  1. Anonymous GradingExam numbers are assigned to J.D. and LL.M. students for use on exams to assure students anonymity in the grading process. Until grades are delivered by the faculty member to the Office of the Registrar, students may not reveal an exam number to any person. Students are responsible for obtaining exam numbers prior to the exam. Exam numbers will be used as the only identifier on exam materials, and placing the exam number on the exam is the student’s responsibility. Accordingly, students who place their names on exams or answer sheet(s) will have waived the right to have their exam anonymously graded. To preserve student anonymity, the Office for Student Services is responsible for distributing, proctoring, and collecting exams for students who have received a disability-based exam accommodation. 

  2. Computer Use and Handwritten Exams: Students who choose to type a scheduled, in-classroom exam, are permitted to use a single laptop computer. Desktops, all-in-ones, or other types of computers or tablets are not permitted. No additional computers/tablets, second or external monitors/screens, or other secondary electronic data storage or transmitting devices are permitted for scheduled, in-classroom exams. A student may use an external keyboard and/or mouse in a scheduled, in-classroom exam, provided it is not loud when in use or otherwise distracting to other students. If a complaint is received by an exam proctor or IIT staff about the noise being made by an external keyboard, the student must stop using that keyboard and may request one from IIT if their laptop keyboard is not working. When typing a take-home exam outside of the building, either laptops or desktops may be used. All computers must be compatible with the EXAM4 software.   All students must be familiar with and comply with the Computer Exam Procedures. Students who begin an exam using their computer may switch to handwriting at any time, but they must keep their computer on and in the exam software until time is called. They should seek the assistance of IIT to ensure both the typed and the written portions of their exams are submitted. Students also have the option to handwrite their scheduled, in-classroom exams using bluebooks provided in the exam room. 

  3. Exam Schedule and Rescheduling an Exam: Administration of final exams other than at the scheduled time is permitted only to accommodate students with direct conflict exams (exams scheduled the same day and time) or for other compelling reasons.

Conflict Exams: Students with direct conflict exams (exams scheduled the same day and time) will have one of their exams rescheduled for the next avaliable exam time on the student's schedule.

Other Compelling Reasons: Students who encounter a compelling reason to reschedule an exam, for example, an acute illness, accident or a family emergency, should contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs who will reschedule an exam in consultation with the faculty member in appropriate cases. Students should NOT contact their Professor to request rescheduling of an exam. 

The law school Registrar schedules all make-up exams.

  1. Late Arriving Students:  Students arriving late for an exam (after the exam time as begun) should be immediately directed to the Law School Registrar’s office.  There will be signage posted regarding this on the exam room doors when the exam has started.  No student should be permitted to enter the exam room late.