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Grading & Exams

In Person Exams

  1. You must use this term's Anonymous Grading Number (AGN). Write it on the blue book, exam questions, and any scrap paper. DO NOT USE YOUR NAME, STUDENT ID NUMBER, OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. The WCL exams website shows how to find your Exam Number / Anonymous Grading Number (AGN) for the current term
  2. DO NOT contact your professor about the exam until after grades have been released
  1. No corrections will be made once the exam is distributed. If there is a typo or ambiguity in a question, state your assumption and answer accordingly. PLEASE NOTE: PROCTORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EXAMINATION
  2. You are reminded that the WCL Honor Code applies to this examination. Collaboration is prohibited
  3. All materials, including the questions, handwritten answers (if applicable), and scratch materials, must be placed inside the exam envelope and returned to the proctor at the end of the exam
  4. Students are permitted to use one electronic device (laptop or compatible tablet). This device must run Exam4 software in exam mode during every minute of the exam. The use of additional electronic devices (cell phones, mp3 players, smart watches or glasses, tablets, Bluetooth-enabled headphones/devices, etc.) is prohibited during the exam

Online

  1. WCL In-Person Exam Polices 1-4 (above) apply
  2. You must upload your exam answers in Word or PDF format by the deadline date and time while also respecting the duration limit. Please remember to save your file before uploading
  3. You are reminded that the WCL Honor Code applies to this examination. Collaboration is prohibited
  4. Issues: Email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu immediately, attaching your answer file. ExamsWCL@wcl.american.edu also needs you to name via email your professor and the course and to describe the problem—you may do this in an immediate follow-up email if this removes obstacles from your emailing the answer file as soon as possible
  5. Retain a copy of your answer file and be ready to share it with examsWCL@american.edu if requested. Preserve the metadata by refraining from editing the answer file after you submit it
  6. The Honor Code forbids you from retaining the exam questions in any form. After you submit your response, be sure to delete or destroy any and all copies of the exam questions

Exam Schedule

Click here to View You AGN and Exam Schedule Portal

Remember, the schedule only lists schedule in-person exams and scheduled remote/online exams.

  • In-person and scheduled remote/online exams are exam that begin at a specific date and time and end a few hours later (before factoring in accommodations that may apply).
  • See your class's Canvas page or contact your professor to confirm due dates for final assesments that are papers, presentations, or traditional take-home exams. 

Use of Computers on Exams

Follow these steps to ensure that your computer is ready for exam use. 

 

Anonymous Grading Numbers (AGNs) and Exam Schedule Portal

Instead of identifying yourself by name, AU ID, or other identifying numbers, use your current semester Exam Number/AGN.

Instructions on how to view your Exam Number/AGN

 

Exam Accommodations

Disability related accommodations are handled by WCL Disability Support.

If you have any questions, please contact them at disability@wcl.american.edu

 

Time Requests for Non-Native English Speakers (NNES)

Non-Native English Speakers (NNES) may request additional time for an exam if they meet the policy requirements. 

Email nnes@wcl.american.edu with any questions.

 

Exam Deferrals/Rescheduling Exams

In any of the below circumstances apply to you, please fill out a deferral. The last day to submit deferrals is the last day of the Reading Period. 

  • Two exams scheduled for the same day
  • Emergency situation leading up to an exam - or the day of an exam.
  • Religious observance conflicting with exam.

Click here for the full Deferral Policy

Exam4

  • Download the current version of Exam4 Software
    • Older versions of Exam4 -- even if they are only a few weeks old -- will not work
    • the newest version of Exam 4 is now compatible with macOS 15 (among other operating systems)
  • Make sure Exam4 works by running practice tests in "open" and "closed" mode
  • Can you make Exam4's word count feature work?
  • Do you know how to use Exam4's multiple-choice interface?

 

Physical Materials

  • Bring your AU ID card for check in
  • Consult your professor, syllabus, or both regarding whether you may bring notes.
  • No headphones allowed. Ear plugs will be provided.
  • No additional electronic devices (besides your laptop) are permitted at your seat. (No phones, smartwatches, or other electronics).
  • You may hand write in provided exam bluebooks and Scantron paper.
  • Food and drinks are permitted. (Please be courteous of others when selecting what to bring and how to consume it)
  • Scratch paper will be provided. Please bring writing utensils (i.e. pens, pencils, and/or highlighters)

 

Procedures

  • Arrive 30 minutes prior to the exam start time.

    • You will not receive full exam time if you arrive late. 

    • Proctor will give instructions 5-10 minutes prior to the exam start time. 

  • You will receive an exam envelope. Wait for proctor's instructions to open.

  • Bathroom breaks are allowed. Please sign out with the proctor. You will not receive additional time for lost time. 

  • When finished, place all materials (exam, scratch paper, bluebooks, supplemental materials) in the envelope. Return envelope to proctor.

 

Find out if your exam will be on MyWCL or Exam 4 (check your class's Canvas page; if necessary, contact your professor)

If something goes wrong during the exam, email exams@wcl.american.edu immediately

  • Even if we do not respond immediately, the time stamp of your email matters.
  • Attach a screenshot or phone photo showing the problem
  • Attached the file that you are trying to submit. 

Follow the steps below:

Reviewing Personalized Exam Schedule

  1. Review Schedule
    1. Follow the steps described in this guide to review your final exam schedule
    2. Note your AGN for the current term
    3. If you see one or more buttons saying “Show Professor Instructions,” remember to click these buttons and read the additional details that appear
  2. Deferrals
    1. If our software detected a scheduling conflict when reviewing your original exam schedule, the software has automatically deferred one or more of your exams (illustration). See if this has happened for you
    2. If you have specific questions about your deferred exam schedule or believe there was an error in scheduling your deferred exam, please email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu. In your email, include your AUID and the course name and number of the exam in question
    3. If you require deferral for another reason, please review our deferred exam policy and submit an application if you believe you meet the approved grounds. Please also email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu
  3. Accommodations (if applicable)
    1. If you have been approved for accommodations through ASAC, our software has automatically applied time-based accommodations and has provided information about where and when you should take the accommodated version of the exam. Note this information
    2. Students were required to be fully registered and approved for accommodations before April 1. If you have questions, email disability@wcl.american.edu
  4. Non-Native English Speaker (NNES) Adjustments (if applicable)
    1. In the situations described here, some students for whom English is not their first language can request additional time for exams. If you qualify and would like this, be sure to complete the form in a timely manner
    2. If you have completed the form and have been approved, your time adjustments will appear on your personalized exam schedule. If you believe these adjustments are not appearing properly, or if you have questions, email NNES@wcl.american.edu

Preparing for In Person Exams

  1. Install Exam4: Install the spring 2026 finals version of Exam4
  2. Confirm Correct Version: Make sure your computer’s shortcuts lead to the correct version of Exam4. When you open it, the expiration date should say “30 Jun 2026.” Older versions—even if they are only a few weeks old—will not work for final exams
  3. Request Loaner (if necessary): If Exam4 will not run on your laptop, complete this form to request a loaner laptop
    1. Email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu to notify us when you have completed the form
    2. Do not borrow a laptop from the WCL library because these computers are programmed to erase their hard drives when they restart or crash
  4. Download Textbook (if applicable): If the exam-scheduling portal says you can use a digital version of the textbook during an exam, and if you wish to do this, you will need to download the textbook before the exam starts. Follow these directions to do so
  5. Run Practice Exams (for logistical purposes)
    1. Revisit your personalized exam schedule, noting which “mode” (e.g. “Fully Closed,” “Open Laptop, Downloadable Textbook,” etc.) each of your in-person exams is in
    2. Follow these directions to run a practice exam in each mode, making sure you can access the appropriate resources during simulated exam conditions

Preparing for Online Exams

  1. MyWCL Guide: Unless you learn otherwise (including learning from the exam-scheduling portal when you click “Show Professor Instructions”), assume* your take-home or remote exam will use the MyWCL platform and that the window for taking the exam closes as listed on the exam-scheduling portal. Read this guide for taking MyWCL exams
  2. Troubleshooting (if necessary): Email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu immediately if you experience a problem during the exam. Attach a screenshot or phone photo showing the problem, and (if applicable) attach the file you are trying to submit. Even if we do not respond immediately, your email will create a meaningful time stamp

* If your exam uses a different platform, or if you are required to submit your exam earlier than the date described on the exam-scheduling portal, your professor or the exams team will tell you.

 

Questions?

Email examsWCL@wcl.american.edu