Yale College expects every course to conclude with a regular final examination or with a substitute for such an examination, such as a final paper.
The substitute should require the student to demonstrate proficiency in the discipline and subject matter of the course.
Final examinations normally last either two or three hours but, in either case, students are permitted to take an additional half-hour before being required to turn in their answers.
The University Registrar’s Office assigns a specific time and date for the administration of final examinations in most courses in Yale College. The time of the final examination is determined by the meeting time of a course during the term. The chart(s) below outline the assigned date and time for each Yale College course.
If the meeting time of a course is changed from that originally published, the time of the examination is defined by the new meeting time. If a course is published with no scheduled examination but the instructor subsequently decides to offer a final examination, it must be administered at the time defined by the meeting time of the course. The schedule of final examinations may be found in the Yale College Programs of Study, General Information, Final Examination Schedules.
Since the final examination schedule has been carefully designed to make efficient use of the entire final examination period and to minimize overcrowding of students’ schedules, a final examination must be administered on the date and at the time specified.
Any permissible exceptions to the regularly scheduled final exam are outlined in the Yale College Programs of Study, section G. Reading Period and Final Examination Period. and H. Completion of Coursework. Only the residential college dean, under specific circumstances, may authorize postponement of a final examination.
Yale College Final Exam Policy
Yale College students & faculty must follow final exam & grading policies per Yale College Programs of Study, even in graduate & professional courses.
Final Exam Scheduling Requirements
Final exams must be administered on the date and at the time specified, which is determined by meeting time of the course during the term.
Final Examination Schedule
The final examination schedules indicate three examination sessions, or time slots, per day: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. The examination group is determined by the meeting day and time of a course, and these groups are explained in Yale College Programs of Study (YCPS).
Examination Groups by Course Meeting Times
Course Meeting Days & Times | Group # | Course Meeting Days & Times | Group # | |
M, W, or F, 8:20 a.m. | Group (31) | T or Th, 9 or 9:25 a.m. | Group (22) | |
M, W, or F, 9 or 9:25 a.m. | Group (32) | T or Th, 10:30 a.m. | Group (23) | |
M, W, or F, 10:30 a.m. | Group (33) | T or Th, 11:35 a.m. | Group (24) | |
M, W, or F, 11:35 a.m. | Group (34) | T or Th, 1 or 1:30 p.m. | Group (26) | |
M, W, or F, 1 or 1:30 p.m. | Group (36) | T or Th, after 2 p.m. | Group (27) | |
M, W, or F, after 2 p.m. | Group (37) |
Courses with Multiple Sections
Courses with multiple sections but a common examination are assigned to an examination group from (61) to (69). Typical assignments include (but are not limited to): (61) foreign languages; (63) introductory-level English; (64) introductory economics; (65) physics; (69) introductory mathematics.
Final Examination Group Dates & Times
Reference the group number in the meeting days & times chart above to find the of the final examination date & time in the chart below.
Fall 2025 |
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December 10, Wednesday | December 11, Thursday | December 12, Friday | December 15, Monday | December 16, Tuesday | December 17, Wednesday |
9am: (61) | 9am: (64) | 9am: (36) | 9am: (37) | 9am: (33) | 9am: (31) |
2pm: (34) | 2pm: (24) | 2pm: (65) | 2pm: (26) | 2pm: (32) | 2pm: (27) |
7pm (69) | 7pm: (23) | 7pm: (22) | 7pm: (63) | 7pm: Makeup final exams only |
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Spring 2026 |
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April 29, Wednesday | April 30, Thursday | May 1, Friday |
May 4, Monday | May 5, Tuesday | May 6, Wednesday |
9am: (64) | 9am: (32) | 9am: (26) | 9am: (65) | 9am: (37) | 9am: (23) |
2pm: (22) | 2pm: (24) | 2pm: (69) | 2pm: (36) | 2pm: (34) | 2pm: (33) |
7pm: (61) | 7pm: (31) | 7pm: (63) | 7pm: (27) | 7pm: Makeup final exams only |
Final Exam Locations
Dates, times, and classroom locations for exams will be posted here prior to the start of final period.
Course | Section | Exam Date | Exam Start Time | Instructor | Location(s) | Location Capacity | Exam Group |