Verifications and Re-reads

Reassessment Policy

In accordance with the Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities and subject to the conditions stated therein, a student has the right to consult any written submission for which they have received a mark, and the right to receive an explanation from the instructor or, as the case may be, the examiner.

Students also have a right to an impartial and competent re-read of any written assignment completed during the course of the semester, as well as final exams. However, it is strongly recommended that students meet with the course instructor before requesting a third-party re-read.

Reassessments in courses not offered by SCS are subject to the deadlines, rules, and regulations of the relevant Faculty.

Students are required to keep any material, in its wholeness and original form, that has been returned to them. A re-assessment request will be refused if the relevant material is not provided in support of the request.

Grades received for course components other than written work or examinations, such as presentations and/or participation marks, are not subject to the procedures noted below. Students should meet with the instructor to address any concerns regarding these forms of assessment.

The School of Continuing Studies (SCS) recognizes four types of reassessment:

1. Reassessment by the instructor of an assignment or mid-term exam
2. Re-read of an assignment or mid-term exam by a third party
3. Mark verification
4. Re-read of a final exam by a third party

1. Reassessment of an Assignment or Midterm by the instructor

This type of reassessment applies to written assignments completed during the term such as papers, quizzes, and midterm exams. Re-assessment of a group written assignment requires the consent of all members of the group. For policies regarding rereads of final exams, please see number 4 below.

• Late requests will not be considered
• The grade may be increased, lowered, or remain the same
• Whether the reassessed grade is higher or lower, takes precedence over the original grade, no exceptions.
• For the Language and Culture, English and French Intensive Language Programs:
• Requests for a review of a specific assignment must be made directly to the instructor within 3 working days of the date of return of the graded material.
• Results of the reassessment will normally be completed within 5 working days of the receipt of the request.
• For all other Programs:
• Requests for a review of a specific assignment must be made directly to the instructor within 10 working days of the date of return of the graded material.
• Results of the reassessment will normally be completed within 20 working days of the receipt of the request.

2. Re-read of an assignment or midterm exam by a third party

This type of reassessment applies to written assignments completed during the term such as papers, quizzes, and midterm exams. For policies regarding re-reads of final exams, please see number 4 below. If you wish to contest a grade for a specific assignment you should first meet with your instructor to ask your questions and discuss your concerns. If you remain dissatisfied with the grade, you may submit a request for a third-party re-read of the assignment in question.

Requests for third-party re-reads involving group work require the consent of all members of the group. In such cases, only one re-read fee will be assessed.

• Late requests will not be considered
• The grade may be increased, lowered, or remain the same
• The third-party reviewer’s grade takes precedence over the original grade, whether the reassessed grade is higher or lower, no exceptions.
• For the Language and Culture, English and French Intensive Language Programs:
• Requests must be made directly to the instructor within 3 working days of the date of return of the graded material.
• Results will normally be completed within 5 working days of the receipt of the request.
• For all other Programs:
• Requests must be made directly to the instructor within 10 working days of the date of return of the graded material.
• Results will normally be completed within 20 working days of the receipt of the request.
• To request a third-party re-read, you need to complete the Request for Re-Read form at SCS Client Services.
• Download Application for Re-Read

3. Mark Verification

In a case where you believe that an error has been made in arriving at the final overall course grade, you can request that the instructor verifies that the final course grade has been computed correctly.

• Late requests will not be considered.
• Requests must be made within 10 working days of the date on which the final course grade appears on your student transcript.
• Your request will be processed within 20 working days from the receipt of the request by Client Services.
• To request a mark verification, you need to complete the Mark Verification Request form at SCS Client Services.
• Download Mark Verification Request form

4. Re-read of a Final Exam by a third party

It is strongly recommended, although not required, that you meet with the course instructor before requesting a re-read of a final exam.

• Late requests will not be considered.
• Whether the reassessed grade is higher or lower, it takes precedence over the original grade, no exceptions.
• For the Language and Culture, English and French Intensive Language Programs:
• Requests must be made no later than 2 working days from the date of the posting of the final exam grades.
• For all other Programs:
• Requests must be made by the following dates: September 30 for Spring/Summer courses, January 30 for Fall courses, May 30 for Winter courses.
• To request a re-read of a final exam, you need to complete the Request for Re-Read form at Client Services. 
• Download Application for Re-Read

Request a Reassessment

Please send all requests to examrequests.scs [at] mcgill.ca.