Examinations
Academic Integrity
The Academic Integrity Board defines academic integrity as the alignment of students’ behaviors in academic courses with Smith’s commitment to the honest pursuit of genuine learning. Smith students are responsible for upholding their own integrity by adhering to all course policies and properly acknowledging all sources used in preparing academic work. When assignments require students to submit work that is the product of their own intellectual labor, faculty expect that students have neither used unauthorized resources nor engaged in unauthorized collaboration with others. When courses require students to submit work that is the product of intellectual engagement with fellow students, students should follow all of the guidelines set out for collaboration. All submitted coursework of any kind must be the original work of the student(s).
Read more about the Academic Integrity Statement as it applies to examinations and other coursework.
Policies & Guidelines
Final Exams
Final examinations (those covering the work of the entire semester) must be administered during the final exam period at the end of the semester. They may not be given during the last week of classes or during the pre-examination study period.
Pre-examination Study Period
The pre-examination study period, between the end of classes and the beginning of final examinations, is set aside for students to prepare for exams. Therefore, the college does not schedule social, academic or cultural activities during this time. Deadlines for papers, take-home exams or other course work cannot be set during the pre-exam study period.
Fall 2025: December 16–19, 2025
Final Examinations (those covering the work of the entire semester) must be administered during the final exam period at the end of the semester. They may not be given during the last week of classes or during the pre-examination study period.
Placement Exams
AP Scores & Placement Exams
Students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on most Advanced Placement examinations will be notified by the registrar’s office regarding the credits recorded and ways they can be used. These scores can be used to aid you and your liberal arts adviser in placing you at a course level appropriate to your background. The registrar’s office also evaluates International Baccalaureate, A-levels and college credit earned before matriculation at Smith. For further details, please see the Transfer Credit page.
Full information regarding placement exams can be found on individual program pages.