General Examinations and Retakings

Retake Exams, Grade Improvement, and Schedules

A student has the right to retake course assessments and to improve a grade within specified time limits. Retakes and grade improvements are linked to the course’s examination practices and the academic period system.

Retake Rights and Grade Improvement

  • A failed course assessment may be retaken up to two (2) times within one (1) year from the course end date recorded in Peppi.
  • A passed course grade may be improved once (1) within the same one (1) year period.
  • The retake method is determined by the course teacher.
  • An unsuccessful retake attempt does not lower the original grade.

Note on Grade Improvement

Grade improvement is not possible if the assessment is based on a performance method that cannot be repeated due to the nature of the assessment, such as:

  • pair or group exams
  • extensive project or assignment work

Exam and Retake Scheduling Practices

  • Regular course exams are generally organized during the teaching period.
  • Academic units prepare exam schedules so that there is no more than one exam per day.
  • The first retake exam is organized during the period following the course’s regular completion period.
  • The second retake exam is organized at the beginning of the following period.
  • Retake dates are planned so that all interested students have the opportunity to participate.
  • The date, duration, and location of an exam are announced at least two (2) weeks in advance.
  • Written assignments and seminar papers are comparable to exams. Submitting an assignment by the given deadline corresponds to the initial course attempt. A new submission deadline corresponds to the first retake. The submission date must be announced in writing at least two (2) weeks before the deadline.

Re-enrolling in a Course

A student must re-enroll in a course if:

  • the course cannot be completed successfully despite retake attempts, or
  • more than one (1) year has passed since the end of the course implementation.

Exception in the Social and Health Care Field

In the social and health care field, a competence manager or study counselor may grant an additional retake attempt for justified reasons.
An extra retake may be granted in situations where re-enrolling in the course would significantly delay the completion of practical training.

Organization of Retake Exams

Retake exams are organized either in general retake sessions or at times separately announced by the teacher.
Registration for retake exams held in general retake sessions is done via the exam service in the student desktop (PAKKI) no later than seven (7) days before the retake session.
In one retake session, a student may complete a maximum of two (2) exams. The student is responsible for ensuring that both exams are provided before the session begins.

General Retake Sessions

  • General retake exams are held on Tuesdays.
  • Duration: 3 × 45 minutes
  • Distribution of exam papers begins at 4:30 PM.
  • Location: VAMK Main Hall, Wolffintie 30, unless otherwise announced.

Dates of General Retake Sessions

  • 20 January 2026
  • 10 February 2026
  • 3 March 2026
  • 24 March 2026
  • 14 April 2026
  • 5 May 2026
  • 26 May 2026

In one retake session, a maximum of two exams may be completed. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that both exams have been distributed before the exam begins.

Registration for Exams

General Principles

  • Participation in an exam requires that the student is enrolled in the course.
  • Registration for a retake exam must be completed no later than 7 days before the exam.
  • Registration is binding.
  • A student who registers but does not attend without an acceptable reason is considered to have used an attempt.

Registration in the Exam Service (Pakki)

Does not apply to EXAM exams.

Retake Exam for Your Own Course Implementation

  1. Log in to Pakki 
  2. Open HOPS and select Exams
  3. Exams for course implementations you are enrolled in and that are open for registration will appear under Exams related to implementations
  4. Click the Register button for the desired exam
  5. Select the campus and, if necessary, provide additional information visible to the teacher and exam invigilators (e.g. dyslexia certificate or other documentation entitling you to special arrangements)
  6. Click Register to save your registration
  7. You can cancel your registration by clicking Cancel at the end of the exam row
  8. The classroom will be visible once the registration period has ended and seating arrangements have been made.
    Business and Technology retake exams are mainly held at Wolffintie 30, Main Hall A2046, and Social and Health Care retake exams at Alere, Florence.

Retake Exam for Another Course Implementation

  • Registration is possible only if the teacher has allowed students not enrolled in that implementation to register for the retake exam.
  • Log in to Pakki  
  • From the top menu, select My Studies → Exams or HOPS → Exams → All Exams
  • Search for the desired exam using the search criteria and register as described above
  • You can cancel your registration by clicking Cancel at the end of the exam row

Exam Instructions

  • The exam invigilator has the right to remove from the exam any person who does not follow the instructions.
  • The student must display a photo ID.

Only the following items may be brought to the exam:

  • pens and an eraser
  • drawing tools
  • a calculator whose memory can be cleared

Mobile Phones and Personal Belongings

  • Mobile phones may not be placed on the exam desk.
  • Phones must be left on a separate table or in a basket in the exam room for the duration of the exam.
  • Outdoor clothing must be left outside the exam room.
  • Bags and valuables must be left at the front or back of the exam hall.

Prohibited During the Exam

  • Conversation or any other form of communication during the exam
  • Use of dictionaries or personal formula/table books
  • Cheating (results in failure of the exam and removal from the exam)

All distributed materials must be returned at the end of the exam.

EXAM - electronic exam

EXAM - electronic exam

With the EXAM electronic examination system, students can independently complete maturity tests and exams that the teacher has designated to be taken electronically. The exam is completed during the institution’s opening hours in an EXAM exam room. The room is under video surveillance.