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Posted in Education.

There are three examination sessions in Trinity in the upcoming academic year. These are as follows:

  • Reassessment Exams – 26th of August to 30th of August.
  • Michaelmas (Winter) Exams – 09th of December to 13th of December.
  • Hilary (Summer) Exams – 21st of April to 24th of April.

These are the main assessment sessions for the majority of students, there will be different timetables for a number of courses, particularly in Health Sciences. I recommend that you check with your individual School for your examination session. There are also Foundation Scholarship (Schol) exams on the week of the 6th of January, these are elective exams for students in their Senior Fresh (2nd) year. 

Academic Registry:

The Academic Registry is responsible for the running of all TCD examinations, and has provided key examinfo here: www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/exams

Make sure to have a read of that if you are unsure of how to:

  • Access your exam timetable on your my.tcd.ie portal;
  • Find your exam and seat number on your my.tcd.ie portal;
  • Find past papers; 
  • Find your campus exam venue, etc. 

If you have any questions related to the running of exams on the day, there will be an Academic Registry Help Desk on the main concourse of the Arts Block, or in the AR Building in the Watts/Hamilton building.                                                   

If your exam is online, your School/Department is the main point of contact. For general queries, you can contact the Academic Registry via:

  • The AR Watts Building Service Desk is open for walk-ins from Mondays to Fridays: 9am - 5pm, and;
  • Contactable via phone on (+353) 01 896 4500 from Mondays to Fridays: 9am - 5pm.
  • To log an online enquiry, click here: ASK.TCD.IE
  • Exam questions are directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Look After Yourself:

Exams can be a really stressful time. Your well-being is the most important thing right now.

  • If you get exam nerves, practice relaxation exercises — focus on your breathing or take a short break in the exam.
  • A good night’s sleep is much better than a night spent cramming.
  • When you are studying for the exam, remember the 20-20-20 rule of screens. Every 20 minutes, look at something that is 20 metres away for 20 seconds. This can help prevent eye strain and tension headaches.
  • Spend time with your friends and family! Your classmates are doing the same exams, lean on each other for support.
  • Give yourself recognition for your work, but also forgive yourself if things do not go according to plan. Exams are a huge undertaking, and you are only human!

What if I’m sick for my exam?

  • Do not sit your exam if you are not medically fit to do so!
  • Before the Exam:
    • If you are medically unfit to sit your exam, please consult your doctor and request a medical certificate for the appropriate period. All medical certificates must be dated and include the date on which the illness started, the length of incapacitation, and a clear statement that you are unable to sit exams. This must be given to your tutor - preferably before the exam(s) in question, but up to 72 hours after.
    • Remember that medical certificates are not accepted as an explanation or excuse for poor performance. You cannot claim mitigating circumstances having submitted a piece of work for assessment. As per College Regulations, students cannot retract work submitted.
  • During the Exam:
    • If you are feeling unwell during your examination, do not submit your work as it will be considered completed. Raise your hand and alert the invigilator. Do not leave your desk without the permission of the invigilator. 
    • Following this, contact the designated liaison person in your school, module leader and/or tutor aware of your illness and contact the Trinity Health Centre.
  • If you are working on a take home 48 hour exam, remember to continually save and update your work.

What if I miss my exam?

  • Contact your tutor immediately. If your tutor is on leave, please contact the Senior Tutor’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

What if I fail my exam?

Failing your exam is not the end of the world! Email your tutor or Education Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are unsure of your next steps.

Compensation:

If your average mark was good and you only failed one or two papers with an F1 you may be able to compensate and go onto the next year as if you had passed. All modules and components within modules are compensable (except in certain professional programmes where compensation does not apply). The rules for compensation vary from school to school, so make sure to check. 
Reassessment Examinations:
You may have to sit repeat exams (free of charge) at the end of summer if you fail and cannot pass by compensation.

Appeals:

If you feel that your result is unfair or that your marks were added up wrong you can apply to have them rechecked.  You may also be entitled to appeal. This is usually reserved for extenuating circumstances, and you have to act quickly. For more info, email your tutor or Education Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Repeating a Year:

If you cannot appeal, then sometimes the only option is to repeat the year. You won’t qualify for the Free Fees Initiative if you have to repeat, except in special circumstances.

Off Books:

Off books doing exams/placements/assessments incurs a €382 exam fee. If students have failed modules at the end of the academic year, they can potentially apply to repeat Off Books with Assessment. This requires special permission, more information can be found here: https://www.tcd.ie/academicregistry/student-cases/

Ask for Help!

  • Your Tutor: find their details on your my.tcd.ie under “My Records”;
  • Student Counselling Service: www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling;
  • TCDSU Welfare & Equality Officer, Hamza Bana: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
  • TCDSU Education Officer, Eoghan Gilroy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
  • Course Coordinator: Contact your course coordinator for urgent queries, if you cannot reach your college tutor, information on Heads of Department can be found on School websites.

Deferrals:

  • If you are unwell, do not sit your exam if you are not fit to do so. 
  • Contact your tutor straight away if you need any deferrals, extensions or support with your academic work due to illness, bereavement or other situations outside of your control (loss of internet connection etc.). You can find their details on your my.tcd.ie under “My Records”. 
  • If your tutor is not replying to you, contact the Senior Tutor's office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • If you defer an exam, it will deferred to the reassessment session in late August. There is no automatic right to deferral and this is determined on a case by case basis. 

Extensions:

  • If you are overwhelmed with your workload or otherwise unable to complete your assignment(s) in the designated time, please get in touch with your tutor.
  • Liaise with your classmates, as many of you may be in the same position. Lecturers should, and have been, very understanding of the pressures everyone is facing right now and should be lenient in this regard.