Definition

Conflicts are defined as:

1. Two or more exams scheduled at the same day and time
    
2. Three exams scheduled in consecutive time blocks, e.g.:
          9:00, 14:00, 19:00
          14:00, 19:00, 9:00
          19:00, 9:00, 14:00
    
3. An exam scheduled at the same time as a religious observance.
    
4. An exam scheduled at a time when an employer will deny time off.

In the case of #1 and #2 above, the Examinations Office is aware of the conflict and will be able to provide a resolution. As the conflicts defined in #3 and #4 cannot be predicted in advance, we are not always able to resolve them.

In most instances, the Examinations Office will be able to resolve your problem by allowing you to write an alternate exam. For conflicts caused by work-related situations, you have to present supporting documentation. For example if your employer will not give you time off to write your exam then you must submit a letter on official company letterhead verifying this.

If your conflict is of a religious nature, the University will only request documentation in some exceptional cases.

Please note that the following are not accepted as conflicts:

1. Two exams on the same day
2. Three exams in 24 or 48 hours
3. Personal travel plans

Conflict Resolution

Conflicts are resolved in many instances by writing an alternate examination. An alternate is a second exam provided to the Examinations Office for the purposes of resolving conflicts. Alternates are provided to us when there are multiple sections of a course having a common exam (all sections writing at the same date and time).

Instructors are only obliged to provide an alternate under the circumstances noted above. Occasionally, however, due to certain special conditions, an alternate may be available for single section exams.


Scheduling of Alternates

Alternates are generally scheduled for the first Sunday immediately following the original exam date.


Reporting Conflicts

Conflicts are reported on the web by going to your personal exam schedule using www.myconcordia.ca.

When you report a conflict, you are telling us that you want to write an alternate for the course reported. If your conflict is two exams at the same time or three in a row, there will always be a resolution provided by the Examinations Office. In most cases you will be able to select the exam to be written as an alternate. Occasionally, however, only one of the courses involved will have an alternate so you will have no choice.

If you have two exams at the same date and time, you can’t do both so you must report the conflict and decide which one you will write on the originally scheduled day and which one you will move. If you don’t decide before the established deadline, the Examinations Office will choose for you.

If you have three exams in a row, you can decide to write them all at the date and time scheduled, or you can move one of them. In this instance, if you do not report your choice by the deadline, the Examinations Office will not make a choice for you.


Deadlines

    (see Important Dates)


Notification

Once the deadline for reporting conflicts noted above has passed, the Conflict Reporting system is disabled and the Examinations Office reviews the information and finalizes the time and location of the alternates. Shortly after that a letter will be sent to you giving you the date, time and location for the alternate exam if one is available. If there is no alternate available you will be advised accordingly and it will be necessary for you to apply to defer your exam. (see Deferred "DEF" notation)

If your documentation confirms that you can’t write on the alternate date either, you would be required to defer your exam. (see Deferred "DEF" notation)

The exam dates noted on the web will not be changed to reflect the fact that you are writing an alternate. Therefore, don’t expect to see any change in that information.


Late Requests

If you miss the deadline to report a conflict, you will have to call the Examinations Office at 514-848-2424, ext. 2608, 2609 or 2676 to report the conflict. You will be given the information verbally regarding the date, time and location of your alternate and no letter will be sent to you.

Please note, however, that if you wait too long to report a conflict, there is no guarantee that we will have an exam to give you. Consequently, it is really important for you to respect the deadlines established.

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