Special Assessment (challenge examination) is when a student subjects to a single examination without attending the course and completing all requirements in the normal way during a regular term. Some faculties will allow students, who feel they are knowledgeable about the subject matter of a particular course, to seek credit through special assessment. Faculties will determine which, if any, of their courses may be taken by special assessment, by any student, and to determine the nature and scheduling of the examination or assessment procedures involved. The evaluation must be completed, and a grade reported by the specified deadline for the term in which the course is scheduled. Only courses listed on the Schedule of Classes for a specific term may be taken by special assessment.
To complete a course by special assessment, a student must obtain written permission prior to the course add deadline from the department/faculty offering the course and the Dean's Office of the student’s home faculty. The form "Credit by Special Assessment" is available from: ucalgary.ca/registrar/student-centre/student-forms and is submitted to Enrolment Services once completed.
Once approved, the student is registered in the course and pays the applicable tuition and fees. Once registered, a student may not cancel their registration or withdraw from the course.
Failures in courses completed by special assessment shall be noted on the student's permanent record in the same manner as a regular scheduled course.
A course in which the student was previously registered may not be taken subsequently by special assessment, nor may any course be attempted more than once in this way.
Students wishing to seek credit for courses by special assessment are advised to review their faculty section in this Calendar and contact their home faculty advising office to determine the number of courses which may be completed by this method.
