Skip to content
Contact USI


Examination and Test Review Policy

Examination Policy

Each student must have a cumulative minimum average score of 75% on all course exams and quizzes to pass the course unless there is a specific statement in the syllabus stating otherwise. Points for the ATI Exam and any other course assignments will be averaged in for the final grade but will not count toward meeting the minimum cumulative exam average.

  1. Students will complete course exams on campus using a lockdown browser. Students will need to bring a fully-charged laptop or tablet to complete online exams in the designated USI classroom. Students are not permitted to take exams remotely without faculty approval and proctoring. Students who access the test remotely without faculty approval and appropriate proctoring will be in violation of the University’s Academic Integrity and Appeal Policy.
  2. Students should arrange themselves in the classroom to provide space between students.
  3. Time allowed for each test will be communicated by the faculty.
  4. Students will not be allowed to have any electronic storage devices in their possession during an exam or test review other than the device they are using to complete an online exam. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, IPADs, advanced capability watches (Apple watch), activity trackers, etc. Simple wristwatches may be utilized during testing. During an exam, if a student is found with an electronic device on his or her person or work area, a 10% deduction on the exam or quiz will occur on total exam points.
  5. Students are not permitted to keep any examination paper.
  6. Academic honesty is an expected behavior of all students. Academic dishonesty may include, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, utilizing AI to complete assignments, and knowingly assisting others in an act of academic dishonesty. Students who engage in academic dishonesty in any form, even as a first offense, place themselves in jeopardy of receiving a failing grade for the assignment or course, as well as dismissal from the nursing program and University. Policies and procedures governing academic dishonesty can be found at the University’s Academic Integrity and Appeal Policy Academic Integrity.
  7. If a student is going to miss an exam, the student must notify the course coordinator prior to the start of the exam. Failure to notify the faculty prior to the exam start can result in a “0” grade on the exam or quiz. With prior notification of the absence, the faculty will administer an alternate test within one week of the student returning to class.
  8. Computerized exams are arranged by the course faculty. All online/ computerized exams are closed-book unless otherwise designated and reflect only individual effort unless designated as a group exam. Downloading or reproducing any exam or part of an exam is considered academic dishonesty and will result in disciplinary action.
  9. No students may ask a question during an examination except for clarification about a typographical or grammatical error.
  10. English as a second language students may use an electronic translator for classroom tests until their last two semesters after translator is approved by a faculty.
  11. Students who need to leave the room during an exam must first ask permission of the instructor. Faculty reserve the right to accompany students out of the room.
  12. No food will be allowed during testing.
  13. No hats/caps are allowed to be worn during testing. Cultural practices should be communicated with faculty.

Test Review Policy

Students in the first- and second-semester BSN courses will be afforded the opportunity to have exam reviews with faculty allowing for direct viewing of the missed exam questions. In subsequent nursing semesters (3 through 5), students will not be afforded the opportunity to view their individual exams. However, students in the third and subsequent semesters can meet with course faculty to discuss the most missed concepts. These meetings will focus on continuing to develop effective test-taking strategies while ensuring best practices in preparing for nursing course exams and ultimately the NCLEX exam upon program completion.

Semester 1: NURS 251, NURS 246, NURS 247

Semester 2: NURS 353, NURS 356, NURS 357, NURS 358

Semester 3: NURS 363, NURS 364, NURS 362, NURS 368

Semesters 4/5: NURS 455, NURS 456, NURS 461, NURS 468, NURS 488, and NURS 498 (depending on plan of study)

Eligibility and Scheduling

  • Individual exam reviews will be available only after all students in the course have completed the exam.
  • Students may be asked by faculty to first attend the course group exam review session prior to scheduling individual reviews.
  • All students are awarded the opportunity for an individual review, however, students who score 78% or below are expected to meet individually with faculty and will be prioritized in scheduling. Documentation of exam reviews will be noted in the student’s nursing file as part of USI’s BSN Academic Success policy.
  • Students will not be permitted to review previous exams once a subsequent exam has been taken.
  • No individual reviews will be offered for comprehensive final exams.

Review Format

  • Reviews will be conducted one-on-one with faculty.
  • Students will be allowed to view only the questions they missed during the first and second semester nursing courses.
  • Electronic devices, note-taking, and recording of any kind are strictly prohibited during the review.
  • Students must adhere to strict confidentiality regarding exam content.

Academic Integrity

  • Sharing exam content outside of the classroom or individual faculty meetings is a violation of USI’s Academic Integrity Policy.
  • Recording any portion of the exam review session is also a violation and will be reported to the USI academic integrity reporting system (Maxient).
  • Academic violations will result in sanctions appropriate to the level of the offense, which may include 0 on the exam, failure in the class, or dismissal from the program.