Exams, grading and retakes at RSU

This is one of the things people worry about the most, and also one of the things that isn’t explained very clearly before you start.

RSU uses a mix of colloquiums, midterms, continuous assessment, and final exams. There isn’t one system that applies to every course, which is part of why it feels confusing at first.

This is how it worked for me in first year. Details can change semester to semester, so please always check the course guidelines, but the general structure stays pretty similar.

What kind of exams there are

Colloquiums:

• in-semester exams
• covers the topics gone over after last colloquium
• MCQs, open questions

They’re usually spaced out fairly evenly, but how much time you actually have to study depends on your group’s schedule. It’s completely possible to have two colloquiums on the same day.

Because of that, studying only right before a colloquium is risky. Things pile up fast.

Exams:

• after course exam
• covers all topics gone over in all semesters of the course
• MCQs, open questions

Some courses have both, some have neither. It varies course-to-course.

Courses also have other ways of assessing, but I am only covering examinations in this.

Attempts and what happens if you fail

Colloquiums:

• You have 3 attempts
• Third attempt is paid
• The third attempt is oral, usually with your professor and often the department head

Exams:

• You have 2 attempts
• Second attempt is paid

If you get caught cheating, you lose an attempt.

If that happens on your first attempt, you’ll only have one left, and it will be oral.

If that happens on your second attempt, you'll automatically fail the course.

If you fail all allowed attempts, you have to retake the course next semester. You can only take that course next semester and no other courses.

If you are sick, you will not lose an attempt for the exam you miss as long as you provide a valid sick note. If so, message your professor about retaking the exam and they'll provide you with more information. Usually retake dates are published in the course estudies.

Grading

Grades are on a 4–10 scale.

• 4 is a pass
• Usually 55% of points
• Below that is a fail

Autopass

Some courses have autopass, some don't.

In general, autopass means:

• you don’t have to do the final exam or
• you get a shorter or easier final

Example:

• In medical chemistry, a high enough colloquium average (>80%) means no final exam

Examinations per subject in the first year

Anatomy

• First semester: 2 colloquiums (both have theory+practical)
• Second semester: 2 colloquiums (both have theory+practical)

Physics

• First semester: 1 midterm (MCQ), 1 colloquium (open questions)
• Second semester: 1 midterm (MCQ), 1 colloquium (oral)

First Aid and Civil Defence

• Online tests after each topic
• Final exam (if tests not passed, or if attendance not met)

History

• MCQ tests done at home

Molecular and Cell Biology

• 2 colloquiums (MCQ and open questions)
• Final exam if autopass not met

Bioethics

• Final exam (open questions, ethical problem)
• Possible tests during seminars

Medical Chemistry

• 2 colloquiums (MCQ, calculations, open questions)
• Final exam if colloquium grade average not >80%

Biochemistry (second semester)

• 3 interim examinations / colloquiums (MCQs, open questions)

Histology (second semester)

• 2 colloquiums (MCQs)

Physiology

• 1 colloquium (MCQs and open questions)

Retaking a course

You’ll have to retake a course if you:

• fail all exam attempts
• don’t meet attendance requirements
• don’t complete mandatory assignments

If that happens, you retake the course the next semester, and you can’t take other courses at the same time. 

This is generally all you have to know about exams. Each course will then tell the specifics at the beginning of the course.