Final examinations are given for most School of Law courses. Examinations may be open or closed book, essay or objective, or a combination thereof. Midterm examinations (which may or may not count toward the semester grade) are given during the fall semester in first-year courses and may also be given in other courses throughout the school year.
Taking Exams
Exams at the USD School of Law are administered anonymously and online. See below for important information about taking your exams.
Exam Numbers
Professors grade examinations without knowing whose exam they are grading. To insure each student's anonymity, a midterm examination number and a different final examination number are assigned to each student each semester. These numbers are available through the MySanDiego portal. Students write their exam numbers (NOT their names) on their exams and bluebooks and give completed exams and bluebooks to someone other than the professor (usually a proctor) to further ensure grading anonymity.
Use of Laptops
Students use their laptops to take exams using secure software from ExamSoft. Students are responsible for their own personal computers and bear the risks associated with using them and the ExamSoft software during exams.
Before upgrading a computer’s operating system or purchasing a new computer, students are advised to refer to the Minimum System Requirements on the following ExamSoft homepage to ensure it will be compatible with the software: examsoft.com/usdlaw.
To use ExamSoft for exams complete the following:
- Download and register the Examplify program.
- Username: your USD student ID (9-digit format, i.e. 008403215)
- Password: last 6 digits of your USD ID number
- Institution ID: usdlaw
What if I have an iPad or similar device?
Examplify only works on Windows and Macintosh laptop computers. iPad, Android and Linux devices are not compatible. Please go to the ExamSoft website and read the Minimum System Requirements to see if your computer is compatible.
What if I need other accommodations?
The USD School of Law offers accommodations for students with examination conflicts (two or more exams on the same day), disabilities, or who are deemed eligible for language accommodations (LLMC and foreign exchange students only). Find more information about exam accommodations below.
Deadline
Exam accommodations must be submitted to the Office of Exam Administration no later than October 31 for the fall semester and March 31 for the spring semester.
For questions, email lawexams@sandiego.edu or call (619) 260-7888.
Exam Accommodations and Rescheduling
The Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs approves special arrangements, when appropriate and in line with policy. To maintain anonymity, do not contact professors to request rescheduling or accommodations. For questions, email lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu or call (619) 260-4651.
An exam scheduling conflict is defined as two or more examinations in one calendar day. The Exam Manager will automatically move one of the exams for students with exam conflicts. This will result in one of the conflicting exams being rescheduled for a later date in the exam period at the discretion of the Exam Manager. Typically, this is the next available exam time slot that will not result in a conflict.
Note: An evening exam followed by a morning exam is not considered an exam conflict. Accommodated exams are not generally scheduled before the original exam date and time.
Students observing religious holidays may request an accommodation by writing to lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu by March 31 for spring semester, October 31 for fall semester. For midterm exams, a request must be submitted at least five (5) business days prior to the exam. If granted, such accommodations will result in the exam being rescheduled for a later date in the exam period at the discretion of the Exam Manager. Typically, this is the next available exam time slot that will not result in a conflict. Other religious observances that require accommodation should be requested with reasonable advance notice. See also University of San Diego Policy 2.2.15.
If you need special examination arrangements because of a permanent medical condition or documented disability, you must first obtain the necessary accommodations approval from the Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center (DLDRC). You must submit their required documentation and go through an interactive process with the DLDRC to determine your accommodations. The School of Law will then implement the approved accommodations. The Exam Manager will automatically apply your exam accommodations for all timed, graded exams. If you wish to request an exception and not use your exam accommodations, please write to lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu at least five (5) business days in advance of the exam.
If you are a student in the LLM in U.S. Law degree program or a foreign exchange student and if you have been deemed eligible for language accommodation by the Office of Graduate and International Programs, the Exam Manager will automatically apply your exam accommodations for all timed, graded exams. If you wish to request an exception and not use your exam accommodations, please write to lawexams@sandiego.edu at least five (5) business days in advance of the exam.
If you wish to be considered for special examination arrangements due to exigent circumstances such as a temporary medical condition or illness or other unforeseen circumstances, you must contact Law Student Affairs at lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu or 619 260 4561 as soon as possible, and preferably at least five (5) business days prior to the exam when feasible. Supporting documentation must be submitted in order for a schedule adjustment to be granted. Accommodations for unforeseen circumstances will be considered only in limited situations, such as the passing of an immediate family member, a critical incident such as a car accident, or an emergent physical issue such as a broken arm. Work commitments do not qualify as exigent circumstances since the final exam schedule is published many months in advance. Schedule adjustments will typically be for the next available exam time slot that will not result in a conflict. The law school does not grant schedule adjustments for lost study time.
Note: Accommodated exams are not generally scheduled before the original exam date and time.