ETH - Rektorat

Q:	When and how can I register for examinations?
A:	The registration period for session examinations and end-of-semester examinations takes place in the third and fourth week of each semester – all students are informed of this via e-mail. Registration is via myStudies. See also: Dates and registration
Q:	When do I have to register for the first-year examinations?
A:	The first-year examinations must be passed within two years after starting a Bachelor programme. The first attempt should be made immediately at the end of the first year, but no later than during the following winter session. Any repetition must be no later than at the end of the second year.
Q:	Can I exceed the period for taking the first-year examinations?
A:	No. The period must first be extended, for which you must submit a written application to the Student Administration (Mrs Dr. P. Wyrsch, Head of Student Administration, HG FO 22.1, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zurich).
Q:	Can I change degree programmes even though I have failed the first-year examinations once?
A:	Yes, but then you may only sit the first-year examinations once more if most of the content of the examinations overlaps. Please contact the Student Advisory Service (in German).
Q:	What can I do if I fail to pass the first-year examinations twice?
A:	You will only be admitted to another Bachelor programme if the majority of areas covered in the first-year examinations for the new programme are different to those for the original programme. Please always contact the Student Advisory Service (in German).

Q:	Why am I getting the message that I am unable to register online?
A:	This is presumably a special case (e.g. additional requirements, exemptions, etc.) which has to be processed manually. In this case, in myStudies, print out the form on the registration page and bring it in person to the Examinations Office by the date specified (registration deadline). Please note the opening hours.

Q:	How do I register if, despite being requested to do so, I am unable to come in person?
A:	Authorise a representative who can come to the Examinations Office in person with your documents. Please note the opening hours. Registration by fax or e-mail is not valid.

Q:	Help! I have missed the registration deadline. What do I have to do?
A:	In justified exceptional cases, a late registration – possibly subject to additional requirements – may still be considered. You must come to the Examinations Office in person. Please note the opening hours. You must also pay a late registration fee.

Why can't I see all of the courses for which I wish to take the examination?

Registration proposals are only shown for session and end-of-semester examinations. See "Types of examination".
Only the courses in which you have enrolled during the last four semesters are displayed. You need to enrol in any missing courses first, after which you can register online for the examination in the normal manner. If there are any courses in which you enrolled more than four semesters ago and which have not yet been examined, you must print out the registration form in myStudies and bring it in person to the Examinations Office. Please note the opening hours.

Q:	If there are only individual examinations for which I am unable to register online, do I have to register for all examinations in writing?
A:	No. If registration in writing is required for certain examinations, you must nevertheless register online for all other examinations.

How do I register to repeat end-of-semester examinations in the same semester?

Registering to repeat end-of-semester examinations in the same semester can also be done in myStudies. You register in the same way as when registering for the first examination. To this end, however, a second registration window is opened shortly after the end of the semester. Please note that you can only register to repeat an end-of-semester examination once the Study Administration Office has decreed the result of your first attempt. See also "Types of examination".

Q:	What registration and withdrawal deadlines apply to repeating end-of-semester examinations in the same semester?
A:	Repetitions of end-of-semester examinations in the same semester are held on various dates. These dates are available from your Study Administration Office or from the lecturers themselves.

Q:	Can I register separately for individual courses from one examination block?
A:	No. All courses from any examination block as laid down in the regulations for your degree programme must be taken in the same examination session.

Q:	Can I register for just one part of a two-semester course?
A:	A two-semester course which is part of an examination block or which must be completed as a two-semester course as part of your degree programme, may only be examined as a two-semester course. If the two-semester course is not a compulsory element of your programme, the individual semester courses may be examined separately.
Q:	Can I take examinations for courses from another programme?
A:	Yes, as a basic principle all of the courses in which you have enrolled can be examined; however, you should check in advance that the credit points obtained can be recognised in your degree programme.
Q:	Can I take examinations for courses offered by the University of Zurich?
A:	Yes, if they are recognised in your programme. Please contact the respective Dean’s office or institute at the University of Zurich for information on registration procedures.

Q:	Do I receive a confirmation of registration?
A:	No. The subjects for which you have registered can be seen in myStudies.(Through your enrolment > button "Functions" > button "examinations")

Withdrawal of registration for examinations

Q:	Can I withdraw from examinations for single courses?
A:	Yes, provided that these are not an integral part of an examination block. Registration or withdrawal is only possible for entire examination blocks.

Q:	Can a decision to withdraw from an examination be reversed?
A:	If the registration period has not yet expired, you can re-register for an examination. If the registration period has expired, the decision to withdraw cannot be reversed.

Might I have to withdraw in writing if it is not possible to do so online?

Yes, if online withdrawal is not permitted in your case (e.g. because it would mean exceeding a deadline; or because the first-year examinations or another examination block in the previous session was interrupted; or you have agreed individual examination dates with the lecturers).
During the scheduling of oral examinations, the withdrawal window has to be closed for a period of approximately three weeks for technical reasons. You can withdraw in writing during this period. To do so, print out the withdrawal form in myStudies and bringt it in person to the reception desk at the Examinations Office. Please note the opening hours.
After the temporary blocking of the withdrawal window, you can once again withdraw online from examinations.

Questions regarding examinations

Q:	When is the examination schedule published?
A:	The provisional schedule for written examinations is published approximately four weeks (Spring Semester) respectively 6 weeks (Autumn Semester) before the end of the semester. The definite personal examination schedule for the Summer examination session is published approximately five to six weeks, the schedule for the Winter examination session approximately three to four weeks before the examination session. See also "Dates" and "Examination scheduling".
Q:	Can I take session examinations outside of the session?
A:	Approval is required for all session examinations which are to be held outside of the session. For further details and forms see also Registration.
Q:	What is the difference between a session examination and an end-of-semester examination
A:	The session examinations are organised by the Examinations Office (Rectorate) and take place during the examination session. The end-of-semester examinations are organised independently within the degree programmes. There are no standard dates set for these examinations. Please contact the Study Administration Office or the lecturers for examination dates or for further questions on the end-of-semester examinations. See also "Types of examination".
Q:	Which subject matter (from which semester) is examined?
A:	The subject matter of the most recent course is always examined, irrespective of when you have attended the course or whether you are retaking the examination. In the case of two-semester courses, the material only changes once both of the semester courses have been offered again.

Q:	Are the indications on permitted support materials (written aids) indicated binding?
A:	Yes! Do not use any support materials other than those specified. Any non-compliance may result in disciplinary proceedings.

Q:	Can I select or change the examiner?
A:	No. You are not entitled to select a particular person to carry out the examination. As a general rule, examinations are conducted by the person who has given the most recent course.

Q:	Where can I find further information on examinations?
A:	All of the examination information regarding performance assessments is published from the start of the semester in myStudies under "Course Registration" (click on the name of the course) or in the Course Catalogue. In your programme regulations at www.rechtssammlung.ethz.ch. Allgemeine Verordnung über Leistungskontrollen an der ETH Zürich (PDF, 77 kB, only available in German)

Q:	How is a course examined?
A:	All of the examination information regarding performance assessments is published from the start of the semester in myStudies under: "Course Registration" (click on the name of the course) or in the Course Catalogue.

Q:	Are the details on examination information which are published in the course catalogue binding?
A:	Yes. These details are binding in all cases. Should a lecturer give different information in the lecture, please bring this to his or her attention and inform the Examinations Office. The only exceptions are changes of examiners and amendments to the permitted support material. In all other cases where amendments have subsequently been made, you are notified in writing by the examiners.

Q:	What must I do if I am unable to take an examination, e.g. due to illness?
A:	Contact the Examinations Office immediately. You must present a certificate setting out the reason for absence.
Q:	What happens if I fail to attend an examination for which I am registered and there is no justified reason for my absence?
A:	If you fail to take an examination without a valid reason the examination will be considered failed. If the examination is part of an examination block, you will fail the whole block.

Further questions

Q:	I have further questions.
A:	Please do NOT send us e-mails! The response time in certain periods is over a week. Telephone enquiries are more comprehensive and more personal. Call us directly on Tel. 044 632 20 68.

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