Examinations and Assessments

Both differentiated and non-differentiated assessment of learning outcomes are used in Tallinn University. Assessment is based on the level of the achieved learning outcomes. Learning outcomes are the knowledge, skills and attitudes or combinations thereof (competences) obtained as a result of studying. 

An examination is an assessment of the achievement of learning outcomes, which is based on specific assessment criteria to assess the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the learner in relation to the learning outcomes described in the study programme. Courses of a theoretical nature end with an examination. 

Examinations are taken during the examination session of the semester in which the students took the course, within the period of the right to take examinations. There shall be two dates given for the main examination and one additional examination time for re-sit examination. The second main examination may be announced also as a re-sit examination.
As an exception, it is possible to use the right of: 
1) giving only one examination date to courses where, due to the specificity of examination organization (e.g. production, LIFE) the result depends on a group performance or where a committee of at least three members participates in evaluation (e.g. defence of a seminar
paper);
2) giving one main examination date and one re-sit examination date to courses where the result is formed on the basis of the work performed during the semester;
3) giving one main examination date and one re-sit examination date to courses where the written paper can be submitted electronically or on paper by the deadline established by the member of the teaching staff.
 

The aim of a pass-fail assessment is to evaluate the achievement of learning outcomes of a practical nature on a pass-fail scale. A pass-fail assessment is based on the work performed during the semester.  A pass-fail assessment takes place, or is formalized, in the last contact-learning lesson or at a time determined by the member of the teaching staff. There shall be one additional pass-fail assessment date given during the examination session of the semester in which the students took the course. As an exception, it is possible to use the right of giving only one pass-fail assessment date to courses where, due to the specificity of pass-fail assessment organization (e.g. production) the result depends on a group performance or where a committee of at least three members participates in evaluation (e.g. defence of a seminar
paper).

Examinations and pass-fail assessments in block mode study take place during study sessions. The second main exam and re-sit examinations/additional assessments may take place outside the study session.

The form of assessment shall be established in the course programme.

Admission to and sitting exams and pass/fail assessments

A member of the teaching staff teaching the course has the right to establish the requirements and preconditions in the course programme for being admitted to an examination or pass-fail assessment at the end of the course. A member of the teaching staff does not have the obligation to allow a student to fulfil the requirements and preconditions in the course programme for being admitted to an examination or pass-fail assessment by way of individual work.

Participation in lectures is not a precondition for allowing a student to take an examination or a pass-fail assessment, or the basis for forming a grade. The obligation to participate in seminars/practical courses is indicated in the course programme by the member of the teaching staff.

A student who has failed to fulfil the requirements for taking an exam / passing an assessment has the possibility to fulfil these during the semester when the course is taught in the following year. Previous agreement with the relevant member of the teaching staff is required.

A student has the right to take an examination and pass-fail assessment until the end of the semester when the student was registered for the course, unless the student has been deleted from the matriculation register. A student must retake a course in full if he/she fails to receive a positive result. The head of the study programme shall determine a replacement course if a compulsory course is not being taught.

Registration for examinations

It is obligatory for the student who has participated in the course to register for an examination and pass-fail assessment in SIS. A student who has not registered may be refused the right to take an examination or pass-fail assessment. The performance of the student who has not registered for an examination/pass-fail assessment but who has been allowed to take it shall be assessed. Registration ends 24 hours prior to the beginning of an examination or pass-fail assessment. A student may change or cancel his/her registration prior to the registration deadline. A student who has an outstanding financial obligation to the university is not permitted to register in SIS for an examination or pass-fail assessment.

If the student registers for a main examination or pass-fail assessment but does not attend or cancel the registration, the result shall be marked as "non-appeared" with the date of the examination/assessment and the student forfeits one of his/her opportunities for taking the examination or pass-fail assessment. The student can complete the course during the announced re-sit examination or pass-fail assessment.

If the student fails to register for any announced time of an examination/pass-fail assessment by the end of the examination session, the result shall be marked as "nonappeared" with the date of the last main examination/pass-fail assessment and the student shall lose one chance of taking the exam/pass-fail assessment. The student can complete the course during the announced re-sit examination/pass-fail assessment.

A student must have his/her identification document with him/her when going to sit an exam or pass/fail assessment.

Results

The results entered to SIS shall be the official results of the examination / pass-fail assessment.

The member of teaching staff has 7 days to enter the results of exams or pass-fail assessments onto SIS in case the number of registered students is up to 50, and 10 days in case the number of registered students is more than 50. The results of the main exam/assessment shall be made public at least 3 days before the day of re-sit examination/assessment.

A student has the right to see his/her examination or pass-fail assessment paper and receive substantial feedback from the lecturer within 10 working days after the results have been announced. The academic unit has no obligation to keep written papers after the above-mentioned time has passed. 

The examination/pass-fail assessment results that have been entered into SIS and have been entered into force shall not be removed from the transcript of records

The result may be contested within the prescribed time limit and in accordance with the procedure set out in the Study Regulations (§ 33).