## Step-by-Step Guide to Reading the SDSU Finals Schedule The SDSU Office of the Registrar updates the final exam schedule online for the fall and spring semesters. Once the schedule for the current term is live, use the following steps to locate your exams. ### Step 1: Access the Official Registrar Schedule Navigate to the SDSU Office of the Registrar website and search for the "Final Exam Schedule" for the active semester. Make sure you are looking at the correct term, as the grid structure can change slightly between the fall and spring semesters. ### Step 2: Check the Block Exams Section First Before looking at the standard grid, check the "Block Exams" (sometimes called "Common Finals") section. Certain large-scale introductory courses—such as specific mathematics, chemistry, and foreign language classes—hold departmental exams. For these courses, every section of the class takes the exam at the exact same time, regardless of when the individual sections meet during the semester. If your course is listed under the Block Exams section, use that designated date and time instead of the standard grid.

### Step 3: Locate the Standard Exam Matrix For all courses not listed as block exams, locate the standard final exam matrix on the Registrar's page. The matrix is typically organized as a grid. One axis displays the days your class regularly meets, and the other axis displays the start time range of your class. ### Step 4: Match Your Class Time to the Grid Find the intersection of your class days and your class start time. For example, if you take a class that meets on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 AM, locate the "Tuesday/Thursday" section of the grid and find the time block that covers 9:30 AM. Follow that row or column to find the designated date and two-hour time block for your final exam. ## Important Exceptions and Special Cases While the standard grid applies to the majority of lecture courses at SDSU, there are several exceptions you should keep in mind:

### Online and Hybrid Courses Fully online (asynchronous) courses typically do not have a designated physical classroom exam time on the Registrar's grid. Instead, instructors for these courses will set a window of time (often 24 to 48 hours) during finals week for students to complete the exam online. Hybrid courses may require you to come to campus for a synchronous exam; check your syllabus or contact your professor to clarify the format. ### Once-a-Week Classes Classes that meet only once a week (such as three-hour evening seminars) often hold their final exams during finals week at their regularly scheduled meeting time. However, because this can vary depending on the department, verify the date with your instructor during the final weeks of the semester. ### Exam Locations Unless your instructor explicitly states otherwise, final exams are held in the same classroom where your class met throughout the semester. If a department requires a larger space to accommodate students, the instructor will announce the alternative location well in advance. ## How to Resolve SDSU Exam Conflicts

Occasionally, the final exam schedule can create conflicts for students. SDSU has established policies to help resolve these situations. ### Direct Overlaps If you have two exams scheduled at the exact same time, this is a direct conflict. You should contact both instructors as soon as you notice the overlap—ideally during the first few weeks of the semester. Typically, one of the instructors will arrange a makeup exam time for you. ### Exam Overload (Three or More Exams in One Day) Having three or more final exams scheduled on the same calendar day is considered an academic overload. SDSU policy generally allows students facing this situation to request that one of their exams be rescheduled to a different day. You must reach out to your professors early in the semester to request this accommodation, as instructors are not obligated to accommodate last-minute requests. ## Tips for a Successful Finals Week

To avoid any surprises during finals week, keep these best practices in mind: * **Confirm details on Canvas:** Instructors frequently post announcements regarding final exam formats, study guides, and location changes on Canvas. * **Add exams to your calendar:** Once you determine your exam times, add them to your digital calendar with reminders set for the week before. * **Verify during the last week of classes:** Ask your instructors to confirm the exam date and time during the final week of regular instruction to ensure you have the correct information.