Important Final Exam Rules and Information

Device Policy and Examinations

Students MUST NOT have a cellphone or other electronic device on their person during a major assessment in any of their classes.  Though teachers will have their own methods to ensure that this policy is followed, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to confirm that their devices are both TURNED OFF and NOT ON THEIR PERSON during a major assessment.

Students who are discovered with a cellphone or electronic device on their person during a major assessment, even if it is turned off, will have that test invalidated and a mark of zero assessed.  This policy is in keeping with Learn Alberta’s policy regarding diploma exam administration, and it will be enforced at Sir Winston Churchill for all major tests.

Prohibited Items in an Examination

• According to Alberta Education, CBE and School policy, having the following objects on your person during a final examination is PROHIBITED. Those caught will be expelled from the exam room immediately and have their mark invalidated (score of ZERO on the exam):
  
  
  • Cellphones
  • CD Players
  • Digital Audio Players
  • Earphones
  • Pagers
  • Electronic organizers
  • Hand-held electronic dictionaries
  • Any other portable electronic devices

  PLEASE LEAVE ALL OF THESE ITEMS IN YOUR LOCKER OR AT HOME DURING EXAM TIME

• Other items that Sir Winston Churchill will prohibit from allowing in the examination rooms:
  • purses
  • bookbags and backpacks
  • coats
  • loose hoodies with pockets(wear a sweater instead)
  • hats
  • books or notes
  • calculator covers (leave these at home)

  THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS: BRING ONLY WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE EXAMINATION

Things to Bring for your Exam

Use this as a checklist for things to bring:

1. PICTURE ID: needed for ALL exams especially diploma exams
2. HB pencils, ideally mechanical to eliminate sharpening
3. pens if writing an essay and if a pen is required or preferred
4. good quality eraser
5. Comfortable clothing: Remember that coats and hoodies are NOT allowed. Wear a sweater if you get cold easily or if you are writing in the gymnasium.
6. Kleenex: nothing is more annoying to you and others than having the sniffles throughout the exam!
7. For English Part A exams: You may be allowed the following print resources as long as they are free of any notes or handwriting. This will be checked.
   1. A print dictionary
   2. A thesaurus
   3. An authorized writing handbook as approved by Alberta Learner Assessment. For more information, look on page 4 of this PDF document.
8. For Social Part A exams: You may be allowed the following print resources as long as they are free of any notes or handwriting. This will be checked.
   1. A print dictionary, so long as it does NOT contain appendices that include social studies content (see below)
   2. A thesaurus
   3. An authorized writing handbook as approved by Alberta Learner Assessment. Note that the approved list for English is NOT THE SAME as for Social Studies. For more information, click here.
9. For Math and Science exams: rulers, protractors and an approved calculator provided that:
   1. the calculator is cleared back to original factory settings, free of any extraneous programs or built in notes.
   2. DO NOT bring your calculator cover. Leave it in your locker or at home
   3. Note that the school is aware of certain programs which are used to conceal information in a calculator. Staff assigned to check calculators know and can detect these programs. ANY ATTEMPT to use a calculator containing these programs will result in that student's final exam being invalidated (given a mark of zero). Churchillians, don't do it; it's not worth it!

Other Important Rules

1. ARRIVE EARLY: Show up at school at least 15 minutes before the examination. For a diploma exam, at least a half hour before. You will be called in early to prepare.
2. LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY EXITS: Once you are in an exam, you MUST remain for one hour minimum. Once an hour has passed in an exam, late arrivals will not be allowed to write the exam.
3. DON'T ASK: Students may not discuss a diploma exam with the supervising examiner unless the examination booklet is incomplete or illegible.
4. TALKING: Students may not talk, whisper or exchange information in any way with another student.
5. LEAVE ALL EXAM MATERIALS:You are NOT allowed to take examinations or examination materials out of the examination room, including any tear out pages or rough draft materials.
6. If your exam is a diploma examination:
   1. Find your designated seat.
   2. Place photo ID on the corner of your desk.
   3. Follow the Head Examiner's instructions regarding the preparation of the booklet and checking of your examination materials.
   4. When finished, raise your hand before getting up. An examiner will doublecheck your exam, have you clear your calculator (if a math or science exam) and give you permission to leave the exam room.
7. LEAVE THE AREA ONCE FINISHED: Be considerate of others not only in your exam but in other examination rooms. Once finished go to the foyer, the student center or simply leave the school once your exam is over.

Links to More Information from Alberta Learner Assessment

• Security and Examination Rules
• Using Calculators and Computers for exams
• Marks, Results, and Appeals

The staff of Sir Winston Churchill wishes our students all the best as you prepare and take your examinations. Study hard and good luck!!

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