Testing and grading procedures

At the conclusion of each semester, two test dates will be held: Regular (“Aleph”) and Make-up (“Bet”).

The make-up (“Bet”) date is intended for students who for any reason whatsoever did not attend the regular test date. Students who have sat for the regular test date but who are interested in improving their scores are eligible to sit for the make-up date. A student who has not participated in the regular test date and has been tested at the make-up date will not be eligible for another date, other than students who have not participated in the test as a result of a serious impediment as defined below.

The last test grade is determinative

Regular test date (Aleph): A regular test date (Aleph) will be held near the end of the course. Regular test dates will be held about 3½ weeks from the start of the semester break.
Make-up date (Bet): An additional date (Bet) will be held after the regular test date. The makeup date for a course that has ended in the first semester will be held during the last 1½ weeks of the semester break as well as on Fridays or during the first week of the Passover break. The makeup date for a course that has ended in the second semester will be held after completion of the regular test dates. The purpose of the makeup date is to provide an additional opportunity to take the test for those who could not sit for the regular test date.
Special date (Gimel): There are two standard test dates for each test: Aleph and Bet. However, eligibility for participation in these days is not automatic. The special date is set aside in order to provide a response to students who have been absent from one of the test dates, Aleph or Bet, as a result of a serious impediment as defined below.

There are two types of special test dates:

Immediate special test date: Held in the same academic year in which the course has been studied. Students who were in Army reserve service or students who have been hospitalized are eligible for the immediate special test date. (See a description below.)
Delayed special test date: Held on one of the dates of the following academic year. Students are eligible to sit for the regular test date or the makeup date during the next academic year without payment for a re-taken course. See the description below for eligibility for the special test date. Regarding participation in the immediate special test date, see the description in the regulations.

A student who has sat for two test dates is not eligible for a special test date. A student who has not sat for one of the regular or makeup test dates for a reason that is not defined as a serious impediment is not eligible for an additional test date. A student whose grade in a course is failing and is eligible for a special test date for this course will not be entitled to register for advanced courses for which this course constitutes a prerequisite as long as he has not obtained a passing grade in the course.

Army reserve service

A student who was absent from a regular test date or from a makeup test date as a result of military service is eligible for an immediate special test date.
Anyone who has served 14 continuous days or 21 days or more (cumulative) during studies is eligible for a delayed special test date. The student is eligible to sit only for two dates out of three.
Anyone who has served four or more days during the testing period is eligible for an immediate special test date.
For tests on the makeup date (Bet) held during the studies period: Anyone who has served four days or more and has returned from reserve service two days prior to the test is entitled to a delayed special test date.
A student who has missed tests and/or examinations in the middle of the semester and/or examinations during the semester in a particular course that are included in determining the final grade of the course will be entitled to be examined at a special date and/or to receive an alternative instead such as submittal of work.

Sickness: Students are entitled to an immediate special test date if absent from a test due to hospitalization that has continued for seven days or more subject to the issuance of a medical certification. Entitlement to a special test date is conditioned on participation in one of the test dates, unless if due to the hospitalization they were unable to sit for one of the two dates.

Mourning period for a first degree relative: If the test takes place during the Shiva period (seven days of mourning), the student will be entitled to a delayed special test date.

Birth: If the birth takes place on the day of the test, the student will be entitled to a delayed special test date (in reference to fathers only).

First-degree family events: If the birth/marriage takes place on the day of the test, the student will be entitled to a delayed special test date.

Pregnant women: Given to a decision by the Dean of Students and the Chairman of the Curriculum Committee, subject to a medical certification.

Two tests take place on the same date: If two tests take place on the same day, the student is required to sit for one of the tests at the regular test date (Aleph) and to sit for the second test at the makeup date (Bet). Entitlement to a delayed special test date: Note that there is no entitlement to a special test date if the class has changed the testing schedule as determined by the Academic Administration and as a result two tests take place on the same date.

Regulations regarding special test dates:

A request for a special test date shall be submitted as early as possible, but not later than three weeks after the makeup date (Bet).
Requests for a special test date shall be submitted through the College’s portal and shall be accompanied by the presentation of relevant certifications that shall be transmitted to the Academic Administration immediately upon submittal of the request. Requests submitted without required certifications at this time will not be processed and will be considered as voided.
A student for whom an immediate special test date has been determined and who has decided not to sit for the test is required to so notify the Academic Administration through the portal up to two weeks prior to the test date. If the student has not so notified the Academic Administration, the student’s grade in this course will be “0”.
A student for whom an immediate special test date has been determined and who cannot sit for the test for justifiable reasons (hospitalization, military service) shall so notify the Academic Administration as soon as possible through the portal and transmit relevant certifications for his/her absence. If a notification is not transmitted to the administration, the student’s grade in this course will be “0”. If the absence is approved, the test will then take place at the closest time.
A student for whom a delayed special test date has been approved is entitled to participate in an immediate special test data in the particular course under the following conditions: The Academic Administration will publish dates for immediate special tests in the portal and it is the student’s responsibility to verify them. The test will take place only in the presence of the student for whom an immediate special test date has been approved and if, for whatever reason, the student for whom the immediate special test date has been approved does not arrive for the tests, the test will be canceled. It is the student’s responsibility to verify one day prior to the approximate test date whether the test is being held. The Academic Administration is not responsible for transmitting notifications regarding the cancellation of an immediate special test date to students for whom a delayed special test date has been approved.

Test dates for regular tests (Aleph) and makeup tests (Bet) will be publicized as early as possible in the College portal. Test dates are determined in cooperation with representatives of students through the Student Council. However, the College is not obligated to hold the tests on the dates as proposed by the student representatives.

Following publication of the test schedule, no changes will take place in the testing dates

In unusual circumstances, the Curriculum Committee reserves the right to consider approving changes.

Conditions for participation in a test

Students will be permitted to participate in a test under the following detailed conditions:

The student has complied with all the academic requirements of the course.
The student has presented a student card and an examinee certificate upon entrance into the testing hall.
The course is registered in the [student’s] study program.

A student who has not settled all of his financial obligations at the Tuition Department or has not fulfilled his obligations at the Library cannot receive an examinee certificate and cannot participate in the tests. Examinee certificates will be distributed each semester prior to the testing period.

A student who has sat for a test for which he/she is not entitled will not be entitled to receive a testing grade

Conducting of the tests

Students shall report to the entrance to the testing hall 15 minutes prior to the start of the test.
Students shall sit in accordance with the instructions of the monitors. The monitor may, at his/her discretion, move a student from one place to another.
The student shall present a student card in order to verify his/her identity and be recorded by the monitors. The student shall present the examinee certificate.
Students will be entitled to enter into the testing hall up to 30 minutes late. Thereafter, the possibility to take the test will not be granted.
Following distribution of the test questionnaires, the student is considered as an examinee even if he/she has not submitted his/her booklet. Students will not be permitted to leave the testing hall for any reason whatsoever, other than after at least 30 minutes have passed following distribution of the questionnaires. In such a case, the questionnaire and the test booklet must be returned to the monitors, and the student will be considered as having participated in the test.
Test Accessories: Prior to the test, the lecturer will provide notification regarding accessories that are permitted to be used and will note this in the test questionnaire. Formula pages may not be brought to the test. Tests with open materials will be held with the books. Entrance may be made to the test with booklets, formula sheets and photographs only. Testing accessories will be permitted for use under the condition that it contains no notes, crib sheets, etc. (not including English tests).
It is forbidden for examinees to speak among themselves or to pass material of any type amongst them.
Instructions for taking the test: The test answers must be written in the College’s test booklet supplied by the monitors. The answers must be written in pen, clearly and neatly, on one side of each page. A request for an appeal may not be submitted if the test is taken with a pencil. Do not write in the margins. A draft will be written only on the second side of the page and will be erased in a clear manner prior to handing in the tests. The student shall clearly write “Draft” at the top of the draft page. It is forbidden to tear pages from the booklet. Upon completion of the test, the booklets shall be handed in (including the test questionnaire, if required) to the monitor and the student shall quietly leave the testing hall. The lecturer may, at his/her discretion, lower a score for a test that is not written as specified above. In the case of any breach of these instructions and regulations, the monitor will submit a disciplinary complaint (see a description in the disciplinary regulations)
Test duration: The time allocated for the test will be indicated on the test questionnaire and will not exceed 3 hours, other than in unusual circumstances and with special permission. Special requests for extending the testing time under unusual circumstances shall be submitted to the Academic Administration at the start of the semester with suitable certifications attached.
Conclusion of the test: At the conclusion of the test, the student is required to close the test booklet, put down his/her writing implements and wait for collection of the test booklet and test questionnaire by the monitoring team.

Special arrangements for non-Hebrew speaking students

New immigrants to Israel (“Olim Hadashim”) will be entitled to a time extension of 25% in the test (15 minutes for each test hour) for five years from the date of Aliyah.
The time extension is calculated according to the original testing time. If the lecturer provides additional time, no addition shall be made thereto.
Students who are graduates of a school in which the study language is not Hebrew and are in the first two years of their studies at the College will write the tests in Hebrew but will receive a time extension for the tests at a rate of 25% of the testing time (15 minutes for each test hour). This provision does not refer to English tests.
In order to receive approval for a time extension, students must contact the Academic Administration at the start of the academic year up to one month after opening of classes. Olim Hadashim who request a time extension will be required to present a Teudat Oleh (immigrant status certificate).

Learning defects

Students who wish to be recognized as having learning defects in order to receive various forms of relief in testing must have valid learning defect diagnosis tests performed by bodies recognized as learning defect testing agents. The diagnosis will be valid for a period of five years from the last date of testing. The student shall submit the diagnosis together with the special testing request form (located on the bulletin board near the adviser’s office) to the College’s adviser at the start of the academic year (up to one month after the start of classes).

About one month from the transmittal of the request, the student will receive a response signed by the Dean of Students in which the extent of eligibility for special considerations and the type of adaptations to which the student is entitled during testing are indicated based on the opinions sent by the College’s adviser.

Please note that eligibility for special testing considerations is valid for tests from the end of September only. The student shall present an approval to the examiner at the start of each test.

Clarifications regarding special considerations in tests:

The time extension will be an addition of 25% to the original time set for the test (other than in unusual circumstances in which the lecturer has added one or more hours to the original testing time).
Students who are entitled to an expanded formula sheet will prepare it independently and submit it for approval by the lecturer up to one week prior to the test. The lecturer, at his/her discretion, will approve the formula sheet and will transmit it to the Dean of Students, Ms. Tal Ramon. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that the approved formula sheet reaches the Dean of Students. The formula sheet signed by the Dean of Students will be sent to the Academic Administration in order to transmit it to the examiners prior to the test. Formula sheets must bee received by the Academic Administration up to 2 days prior to each test and the student must verify this. It is also the student’s responsibility to be in contact with the lecturer with respect to the contents of the formula sheet during the entire semester.

Mid-term exams

1. Course tests (enhancement\shield grade)

So that a test can constitute a course test and provide an enhancement grade, the minimum score in the final course exam, the grade must be passing (55).
A course test cannot constitute more than 20% of the final grade of the course.

2. College mandatory tests

The lecturer will provide notification in advance regarding the percentage of the final grade that the mandatory test grade will constitute.
College mandatorytests will take place during makeup tests (Bet) (other than for English courses).

3. Time extensions

Various adaptations will not be valid for mid-term other than for a time extension of 25% of the original testing time.
Students who are entitled to a time extension shall present a certification at the beginning of the test to the lecturer.

Structure of the final test

Lecturers are not required to provide advanced notification regarding the structure of the final tests. If the tests will be held in the framework of a multiple-choice exam, the lecturer will provide advanced notification to the students.

Review of tests

The test booklets will be sent for anonymous review. The Chairman of the Curriculum Committee is entitled to exempt particular tests from this regulation where circumstances justify it. The lecturer will transmit the grades to the Administration as soon as possible, but not later than two weeks from the date of holding of the exam or three days prior to the makeup date (Bet), whichever is earlier. In certain circumstances, the Director of the Academic Administration is entitled to approve an extension of the time for review of the test, on condition that notification is published for students on the test bulletin board. In any case, the grade will be transmitted at a time that will not impair the possibility of the student to continue with his/her studies, to sit for an additional test date (Bet) or to include the average grade for purposes of an award for excellence.

Loss of tests

After it has been finally verified that a student’s test booklet has been lost, the following possibilities will be proposed to him/her:

To re-take the tests with the same questionnaire as soon as possible, but at a date in coordination with the lecturer and the Curriculum Committee.
To accept a “passing” grade (verbal score).
To accept a grade on the basis of an average of partial grades in that same course, if there were any, on condition that the lecturer and the Curriculum Committee so agree.

Course final project

Date of submittal

Coursework shall be submitted within one month of the date of completion of the course.
Upon the lecturer’s approval, work can be submitted up to the last day of the month of September of the same academic year.
Beyond this date, the rules regarding the request for a special tests date shall apply.

Work submittal procedure

The work shall be submitted through the Academic Administration and certification will be given for its submittal.
Students shall submit their work in printed form or with legible handwriting. Work that in the opinion of the lecturer has been submitted illegibly will be returned to the student, who shall submit it a second time with legible handwriting or, alternatively, in printed form. Lecturers are not entitled to require students to submit their work in printed form.

Grade for the work: The lecturer will provide a grade for the final coursework within one month of the date as agreed with the student for its submittal. A student who has not received a grade within one month of this date shall be entitled to apply to the Academic Administration who will handle the matter in a manner that will ensure the student’s anonymity.

Loss of work: The student shall preserve a copy of the work that he/she submits and shall submit it for review in the case of loss of the original work.

Saving of work

The work will be returned to the students through the Academic Administration.
Works that have not been taken by the students will be kept not more than three months after publication of the grade and will thereafter be destroyed.

It is absolutely forbidden to submit one work for two different courses

Composition of the course grade

A grade will be given for each course that is expressed as a percentage of 100. The lecturer will notify students of their responsibilities and the relative weight of these responsibilities in determining the final grade in writing in the syllabus that will be distributed at the beginning of the course. The final grade of the course can be given by weighing the testing grade with exercises, quizzes, etc.

The relative weight of each part of the final test will appear in the tests form. If a weight is not given, the weight of each question will be equal.

The minimum passing grade required for credit courses is 55.

The minimum passing grade required for non-credit courses is 70.

Publication of grades

Grades will be published on the College’s Internet site. Note that in the case of a discrepancy between the grades published on the Internet site of the College and the lists at the Academic Administration signed by the course lecturer, the valid grade will be the grade recorded by the Academic Administration.

Grade scale

Excellent 95-100
Very good 85-94
Good 75-84
Fair 65-74
Passing 55-64
Fail 0-54

Determining grade point average

Grades included in the average: All grades that the student has received at the end of the course (other than for non-credit courses) will be included in the grade point average for that same academic year, as well as in the average grade for the degree, and will be weighted in accordance with the number of credits granted for each course. In the case where a student is retested (resubmits his/her work), only the later grade will be included in the weighted grades.