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Exam Registration, Withdrawal, Retakes

Information for Teaching Staff and Students at the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy (BCP)

We would like to inform you about the regulations set out in the Framework Regulations for Degree Programs and Examinations (RSPO), adopted in 2013, which came into effect on October 1, 2015. The following provides a general overview, with a focus on new developments particularly relevant for teaching staff and students. The most significant change concerns the regulations governing the retake of failed examinations.

1. Retake of Examinations

2. Binding and Non-Binding Examination Dates

3. Exam Registration and Withdrawal

4. Information for Pharmacy Students

5. Additional Information and Glossary

6. FAQs


                                                                                                                                        

1. Retake of Examinations (§ 20 Section 3 RSPO)

As of October 1, 2015, examination attempts in degree programs at the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy (except for final theses) may be repeated no more than three times after the first failed attempt. This means: 1 initial attempt and 3 retakes = a total of 4 examination attempts.

Exceptions: In the master’s degree program Biology (2018/2024 SPO) and the master’s degree program Biodiversity, Evolution, Ecology (2018/2023/2024 SPO), examinations may be repeated no more than twice.

If the final retake attempt is unsuccessful, the exam is considered definitively failed. If this examination is a required module for the successful completion of the degree program, the overall examination is considered failed and the program cannot be continued.

Attempts taken before October 1, 2015, do not count towards the total number of permitted attempts (exception: Pharmacy). The decisive factor is the date on which the exam was taken. Therefore, exams from previous semesters are only subject to the new regulation if they were held on or after October 1, 2015.

                                                                                                                                      


2. Binding and Non-Binding Examination Dates (§ 8 Section 1, § 19 Section 1 RSPO)

The departments have decided on the following examination conditions:

Department

Examination Dates

since when

Biochemistry

Binding (suspended)

since winter semester 15/16*

Biology

Binding (suspended)

since winter semester15/16*

Chemistry

Binding (suspended)
except: Physical-Organic Chemistry (Master's): binding

since winter semester 15/16*

Pharmacy

binding examination dates

since 2003

*Binding exam dates are currently suspended in Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry until technical implementation is feasible. Non-binding rules apply in the meantime. Examination Boards may change conditions in future semesters. Changes will be announced two months prior to the semester.

Note: Modules from other departments may have binding exam dates.

Missing a binding exam without proper withdrawal (at least 14 days before) results in a failed attempt. Withdrawal after the deadline is only possible with a valid reason.

For non-binding dates, withdrawal is not required; no consequences for absence.
                                                                                                                                        

3. Exam Registration and Withdrawal

Students are automatically registered for exams upon enrolling in a module and its courses.

For binding exam dates, withdrawal after the 14-day deadline is only possible for valid reasons.

Failure to appear without timely withdrawal and without a valid reason will be marked as "did not attend" and, for binding dates, counts as "failed" with a grade of 5.0.

                                                                                                                                        

4. Information for Pharmacy Students

In Pharmacy, binding exam dates have applied since 2003.

In the State Examination in Pharmacy program, performance assessments for compulsory courses may be repeated up to six times (2003 regulations) and up to three times from summer semester 2016 (2014 regulations).

Further information is available online.

                                                                                                                                        

5. Additional Information

Further information is available from:


Glossary of terms

                                                                                                                                      

binding exam dates

 Required attendance. Withdrawal possible only within the deadline.
non-binding exam dates Attendance optional. No consequences for absence.
retake Any further attempt after the first.
withdrawal Only necessary for binding dates, within the deadline.

                                                                                                                                       


6. FAQs

No, the retake regulation applies only as of October 1, 2015. Attempts prior to this date are not counted. However, all exam attempts from October 1, 2015 onward are counted, even if the exam was related to a course from a previous semester.
In Pharmacy, binding exam dates have applied since 2003; therefore, retake attempts before October 1, 2015, also count.

According to the current Framework Regulations, students have one (1) exam attempt and up to three (3) retake attempts.

Exceptions:

  • Pharmacy (2003 regulations): up to 6 retakes until summer semester 2016, then 3 retakes (2014 regulations)
  • MSc Biology (SPO 2018/2024) & MSc Biodiversity, Evolution, Ecology (SPO 2018/2023/2024): 1 attempt + 2 retakes

Before the final retake, students are entitled to personal advising. The final attempt must be assessed by two examiners.

No. Registration for a module and its associated courses includes exam registration.
In binding exam systems, registration for necessary retakes is automatic.

Exam dates are published on:

  • Department websites
  • The electronic course catalog (eVV)
  • Through lecturers
  • Via bulletin boards

Students are responsible for keeping themselves informed.

Yes, if permitted by the examination regulations.
If the first possible exam date is missed, all subsequent attempts are considered make-up exams. No grade improvement is allowed.

Some regulations allow a one-time repeat of exams graded 4.0 or better to improve grades, if the first attempt occurred immediately after the course. Only the better grade is recorded.

  • No improvement allowed for retakes.
  • Oral exams, term papers, etc., are excluded.
  • Missing the first exam date disqualifies grade improvement.

For binding exams, the Examination Board sets a withdrawal deadline. In Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry, it's 14 days before the exam. After that, withdrawal is only possible with a valid reason.

Examples include:

  • Illness (student or close dependent), proven by a medical certificate stating inability to study/exam
  • Severe external disturbances during exam
  • Death of a close family member

Valid reasons must be promptly reported to the Examination Office. The Examination Board decides.

It must state the student is unable to study or take exams.

Standard sick notes for employers are not accepted.

No. You must be registered for the module and at least one related course. If registration fails, contact your Office of Academic Affairs.

Exception: Pharmacy.

Auditing students must contact the lecturer.

The first exam date after the course/module ends in a semester.

  • Binding + no withdrawal: failed (5.0)
  • Binding + valid reason: notify the Examination Office; Examination Board decides
  • Non-binding: no consequences

Regardless of binding status, the result counts.
If passed, grade improvement may be available.

  • Binding: next available exam must be taken.
  • Non-binding: student can choose any future date.

For binding exams: a medical certificate or valid reason must be submitted immediately. If accepted, the attempt is not counted.

Any exam not taken directly after the course/module ends is a retake.

The student cannot continue the program or enroll in one requiring that module. This is recorded in Campus Management and communicated via notification. Students may request access to their exam file after receiving the notice.

How is exam registration handled in the state examination program in Pharmacy?

Students are automatically registered upon completing the seminar/practical component. Applies to both written and oral exams.

How to withdraw from an exam in Pharmacy?

Only via medical certificate, submitted to responsible lecturers or sent to the institute.

What is the withdrawal deadline in Pharmacy?

No prior notice required. The certificate must be submitted within 7 days after the exam.

Does unexcused absence count as failed in Pharmacy?

Yes. Missing an exam without a timely medical certificate counts as failed.