Exam Types & Permitted Calculators

Types of Examination Papers

Type A: A "closed book" examination. No aids are permitted other than the information printed on the examination paper.

Type B: Papers for which separate special aids or data, as specified at the top of the examination paper, are provided by the examiner for distribution to the candidates by the Office of the Registrar or are made available to the students electronically in a computer-based exam.

Type C: A "closed book" examination. A student may prepare, bring to their exam and use a single examination aid sheet, downloaded from the Faculty's website, printed on an 8.5"x11" piece of paper. Download the Examination Aid Sheet (PDF). Students may enter on both sides of the aid sheet any information they desire, as specified by one of the three subtypes listed below.

• Type C1: Such entries will be handwritten and not mechanically reproduced. Digitally prepared sheets (e.g., handwritten on a tablet) will not be permitted.
• Type C2: Such entries will be handwritten, but may be mechanically reproduced (e.g., prepared on a tablet and printed).
• Type C3: Such entries may be handwritten or computer generated, including typewritten text, images or other formats that fit within the aid sheet.

Type D: Candidates may bring to the examination and use such aids (in the form of printed or written material) as the examiner may specify. The nature of the permitted aids must be clearly specified at the top of the examination paper and must be announced to the class by the examiner in advance of the examination.

Type X: An "open book" examination. The candidate may bring to the examination and use, any books, notes or other printed or written material, without restriction.

Type O: A different exam format, not covered by one of the existing types. Requires special approval by the Undergraduate Assessment Committee as part of the approval for Composition of Final Marks. Details of the assessment must be communicated to the students prior to the course drop deadline.

Type CPU_[ ]: Examinations which will take place in a computer lab, using software and pre-loaded aids or data specified ahead of time by the instructor. The brackets “[ ]” should be replaced by one of the letters (A, B, C, D, X, O) from an existing exam type, specifying the type of aid material a candidate may bring into the exam room. Open internet access is not permitted except with special permission (Type O). Access to specific websites is permitted only if (a) the websites do not allow communication amongst students, or between students and an outside party, and (b) The Engineering Computing Facility (ECF) team confirms that access can be restricted to only these websites. Instructors using Type CPU are responsible for coordinating with the Registrar’s Office and ECF to ensure they are aware of all required procedures and are prepared to administer the exam according to staff guidelines.

Types of Calculators

Permissible calculators must be non-printing, non-communicating, silent, and self-powered. The type of calculator permitted will be one of the following, as specified by the professor at the commencement of the course and on the final examination paper.

Type 1: All programmable and non-programmable electronic calculators and pocket computers.

Type 2: All non-programmable electronic calculators, including all calculators approved for Type 3. Programmable calculators allow users to write/store programs to carry out one or more series of operations.

Type 3: Non-programmable calculators from a list of approved calculators as issued by the Faculty Registrar. See a list of approved calculators below.*

Type 4: No electronic or mechanical computing devices are permitted.