What is a challenge examination?

Challenge examinations assess a student’s competence or proficiency in a specific subject area. Students who pass the challenge exam for a specific course are exempted from taking the course at BTVI.

How do students qualify for a challenge exam?

Students who have prior work experience or who have completed equivalent courses at another accredited institution may request to take a challenge exam. Students must:

• Get a copy of the course outline and register for the BTVI course they intend to challenge.
• Submit a completed Challenge Examination Request Form to the relevant Dean through the Head of Department responsible for the course.

Who is allowed to take a challenge exam?

Students will be allowed to sit a challenge exam provided they:

• Submit a completed Challenge Examination Request Form along with proof of payment of the non-refundable fee to the Office of Examinations and Testing Services (OETS).
• Provide documentary evidence that they possess the skills and competencies being taught in the course they intend to challenge (e.g., verification letter from employer or skilled craftsperson or transcript from another institution, etc.).
• Are in good academic standing, that is, they have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
• Have not received a BTVI grade for the course they intend to challenge.
• Have not previously registered and withdrawn from the course they intend to challenge.

When can students take a challenge exam?

• Normally, challenge exams are taken during the final examination period. OETS will advise students of the date for the challenge exam and will coordinate and invigilate the exam.
• Students must take the challenge exam when it is scheduled.
• Within 5 business days of taking the exam, OETS will inform the student of the grade allocated for the exam.

Can students take a challenge exam for any course?

Yes, students can take a challenge exam for any course with the exception of the following:

• Courses with labs or practical components.
• Courses with project-based components.
• Courses with research-based components. However, 75% of a student’s overall programme requirements must be completed by taking courses at BTVI. As a result, students can complete only 15% of their programme requirements through challenge exams; that is, through prior work experience or courses taken at another accredited institution.

How will students know they have successfully challenged the course?

• To be successful on a challenge exam, students must achieve a grade of 70% or higher.
• Students who achieve a grade of 70% or higher will receive BTVI credit for the course.
• Once recorded by the Office of the Registrar, this grade will be calculated as part of the student’s GPA.

What happens if a student is not successful at challenging the course?

Students who fail to achieve a minimum score of 70% on a challenge examination may:

• Remain in the course and complete the course or
• Withdraw from the course prior to the deadline to withdraw. Students who withdraw remain financially liable for the course.

How many times can a student sit a challenge exam for the same course?

Students have one chance only to sit a challenge exam for a specific course.

What is a final examination?

Final examinations provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of a specific body of knowledge or a specific subject area or demonstrate their ability to apply a specific set of skills at the end of a period of instruction. Many BTVI courses require a final examination at the end of the semester.

When do final exams occur?

Final examinations begin the week immediately following the last day of classes. This usually occurs during the 15th week of the fall and spring semesters and the 8th week of the summer semester.

How do students find out about final exams?

Normally, the Office of Examinations and Testing Services (OETS) posts the final examination schedule no later than 6 weeks before the end of classes for the fall and spring semesters and 3 weeks before the end of classes for the summer semester. Students must check the final exam schedule carefully. Misreading the final examination schedule is no excuse for not taking a final exam.

What should students expect to see on the final examination schedule?

Students should expect to see the following:

• Course abbreviation, number, section number and name.
• Name of course instructor.
• Whether the exam is in-person or virtual.
• Date of the exam.
• Start time and end time for the exam.

What should students do if they have concerns or issues with the final exam schedule?

Students who have concerns or issues with the schedule must contact OETS immediately at [email protected].

Must students sit their final exams on the day and time indicated on the final exam schedule?

Yes. Students must sit the final exam on the day and time indicated on the schedule. Failure to do so may result in an F for the exam.

What should students do if they are unable to sit their final exam as scheduled?

Students who, due to extenuating or other circumstances outside of their control, are unable to sit their final exam as scheduled should notify their course instructor and OETS as soon as possible, preferably before the start of the final examination period. Students may request a special sitting of their final exam.

What happens if students are late for their final exam?

• Students should arrive on time for each final exam; to be on the safe side, students should report to the exam room at least 20 minutes before the start of the exam.
• Students who arrive within 45 minutes of the start of the exam will be allowed to sit the exam but will not be given extra time for the exam.
• Students who arrive 45 minutes after the start of the exam will not be allowed to sit the exam.

What should students bring to the final exam?

• A valid photo identification such as a BTVI student ID card, e-passport, National Insurance Board card, driver’s license or other form of government issued photo identification.
• Required electronic and/or other approved devices and resources needed for the exam.
• Cell phones, headphones and earbuds are NOT allowed in a final exam.

What should students with disabilities and/or special needs do if they require special assistance with final exams?

• Students with disabilities and/or special needs who require special assistance with final exams should contact OETS immediately after the final exam schedule has been posted.
• OETA will, with the help of the Office of Student Affairs, make every effort to accommodate the exam needs of students with disabilities and/or special needs.

Can students be removed from a final exam?

Yes. Students may be removed from a final exam if they:

• Communicate with anyone other than the invigilator during the exam.
• Provide or receive assistance during the exam from anyone other than the invigilator.
• Turn their camera off during a virtual exam.
• Access course or other external resource materials during the exam, including those available through the VLE platform, unless explicitly authorised to do so by the invigilator, course instructor, and Head of Department.
• Possess unauthorised material or devices during the exam, whether they intend to use them or not.
• Leave the examination room without the invigilator’s permission.
• Step away from their device in a virtual exam without the invigilator’s permission.

Can students see their graded final exam papers?

Yes. Students may request to see their graded final exam in the presence of their course instructor or Head of Department. Final exam papers will not be returned to students.

What should students do if they have concerns with the grade allocated for the final exam?

• Students should meet with their course instructor no later than 48 hours after the final exam grade has been posted to discuss any issues or concerns with their final exam grade.
• After meeting with their course instructor, students who still have issues or concerns with their final exam grade may submit a completed Final Grade Appeal Request to the Dean of Academic Administration. The Dean shall convene a meeting of the Final Grade Appeal Panel to review the concern, act as mediator and make a decision. The decision of the Panel is final.

What is a special sitting of a final exam?

A special sitting of a final examination allows a student to sit the final exam outside of the regularly scheduled day and time as posted on the final examination schedule.

Who can request a special sitting of a final exam?

Students who are unable to sit their final exam as scheduled, due to extenuating or other circumstances outside of their control, can request a special sitting of a final exam.

When should students request a special sitting of a final exam?

Students who are unable to sit their final exam as scheduled should notify their course instructor and the Office of Examinations and Testing Services (OETS) as soon as possible, preferably before the start of the final examination period.

How do students request a special sitting of their final exam?

• Students must submit a completed Request for Special Sitting of a Final Examination along with supporting documentary evidence to OETS, copied to their Head of Department, as soon as possible or no later than 7 days after the date of the final exam.
• OETS will notify the student and the Head of Department of the day and time for the special sitting.
• Requests for a special sitting that are submitted more than 7 days after the date of the final exam will not be considered.

What constitutes “an extenuating or other circumstance”?

Students are eligible for a special sitting of a final exam provided they:

• Were ill, injured or hospitalized immediately prior to or on the day of the final examination. Students must provide supporting documentary evidence from a qualified medical practitioner confirming their inability to sit the exam.
• Suffered the death of a family member. Students must provide supporting documentary evidence in the form of a death certificate, an obituary, or a funeral programme which lists them as a survivor.
• Are required to participate in a significant cultural or sporting activity at the national/international level. Students must provide supporting documentary evidence in the form of a signed letter from the agency confirming their role and participation and detailing the dates and times of the event.
• Are required to engage in employment-related travel. Students must provide supporting documentary evidence in the form of a signed letter from their employer confirming travel dates.

What should students do if they have an “extenuating or other circumstance” not listed above?

• Students who are unable to sit their final exam for any reason other than those listed above should submit a completed Request for Special Sitting of a Final Examination along with a detailed explanation for not sitting the exam as scheduled to OETS, copied to their Head of Department, as soon as possible or no later than 7 days after the date of the final exam.
• Within 5 business days of receipt of the request, OETS will convene a meeting of the Examination Committee to approve or deny the request. The decision of the Committee is final.
• If the request is approved, the student may be required to pay a fee for each approved special sitting.
• Requests for a special sitting that are submitted more than 7 days after the date of the final exam will not be considered.

When will students be able to take the special sitting of their final exam?

• Where possible, special sittings take place during the final exam period or the week immediately following the final exam period. Requests for special sittings outside of this time frame will not be considered.
• Students who do not attend the special sitting of their final exam will not be considered for another special sitting of the exam. Failure to attend the special sitting will result in an F for the exam.

Will students always be given approval for a special sitting of a final exam?

No. Special sittings of a final exam will not be allowed in those instances in which the student:

• Misread the final exam schedule.
• Forgot the day and time of the final exam.
• Overslept or was late for the final exam.
• Had failed to study or prepare for the final exam.
• Was stressed or anxious about the final exam.
• Had booked recreational or family domestic or international travel.
• Had to participate in or attend a special celebration or event such as a wedding or party.
• Was otherwise engaged in routine work-related demands.

Special Sitting Final Examinations Policy

Mid-semester examinations provide an opportunity for instructors to assess student understanding of what is being taught. This helps instructors identify student learning needs and the teaching strategies that could be used to improve instruction and student understanding of course material, concepts, or skillsets.

When do mid-semester examinations occur?

Mid-semester exams usually occur between the sixth and eighth week of the fall and spring semesters and the fourth and fifth week of the summer semester. Course instructors will inform students of the dates for their mid-semester exams.

Why are mid-semester exams so important?

Mid-semester exams help instructors pinpoint the course material and/or concepts students are struggling to understand and the skills they are struggling to acquire. This helps instructors identify the teaching strategies they may need to change or the student support services they may need to recommend.

Mid-Semester Examinations Policy

Under revision…

To register to sit any of these internationally accredited exams at BTVI’s Certification Centre, send an electronic communication to [email protected] and view the Pearson VUE website for further information.

• CERT 1021 CompTIA IT Fundamentals
• CERT 1022 CompTIA A+ Essentials
• CERT 1023 CompTIA A+ Practical
• CERT 1024 CompTIA Network+
• CERT 1025 CompTIA Security+
• CERT 1026 CompTIA Server+
• CERT 1027 CompTIA Linux+ 1
• CERT 1028 CompTIA Linux+ 2
• CERT 1029 CompTIA Project+
• CERT 1030 Microsoft MTA Windows
• CERT 1031 Microsoft MTA-HTML5
• CERT 1033 Database Cert
• CERT 1040 Cisco ICND1
• CERT 1041 Cisco ICND2
• CERT 1050 Wireless Cert
• CERT 1060 Java Foundations (JAVA SE)
• CERT 1061 SE 7 Programmer

Pearson VUE