The Dean of Students and Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging Office (DOS-CEEB) can provide support for a wide range of personal circumstances.
The Registrar’s Examinations webpage outlines additional exam information and support, including exam schedules and Exam4 software instructions.
Personal & Medical Emergencies
If you have an emergent situation prior to exam period that you believe may impact your ability to take or complete exams, contact DOS-CEEB at dosceeb@law.harvard.edu.
Technical exam emergencies should be directed to the Registrar’s Office at registrar@law.harvard.edu.
During the exam period, you may receive immediate exam help for urgent issues by calling 617-495-0722 and pressing “1” for exam support Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am ET to 6:30 pm ET.
If you are calling outside of the covered business hours, please leave a message and you will be contacted by the appropriate office as soon as possible.
Exam Deferrals
Deferred examination requests may be granted in limited circumstances as outlined in the HAP (section IV(B): Deferred Examination Policy).
DOS-CEEB can assist with exam deferrals for the following reasons:
- Illness of Student: Documentation of illness must be provided for review by the Dean of Students and Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging Office or Accessibility Services. Documentation can be provided by the student’s personal doctor or by visiting Harvard University Health Services (HUHS). In cases of medical deferment, the student will be required to take the exam as soon as the student is medically able to according to the doctor’s assessment, and in accordance with HLS’s exam administration schedule.
- Death or serious illness of a person in the immediate family or other person with whom the student has a similarly close relationship, which requires the student’s attention away from the Law School during the exam period.
- Personal emergency that interferes with an exam or immediate pre-exam preparation.
- Delivery of child that interferes with an exam or immediate pre-exam preparation (applies to either parent).
- Unavoidable military commitment.
Please visit the Deferred Examination Policy section of the HAP to learn about other reasons for deferrals, as well as the timing and process for deferral requests.
Accessibility Accomodations
If you are a student with a documented disability and plan to request exam accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services via email or phone at 617-384-0300. The recommended deadline for requesting exam accommodations is two weeks before classes end for the semester.
Health and Wellness Support Services
Exam Preparation
For 1Ls, the Board of Student Advisers (BSAs) can be consulted on exam preparation strategies. For LL.M.s, the LLM Advisors are a resource for exam preparation and advice. Please feel free to reach out to your BSA or LL.M. Advisor.
Susannah Barton Tobin, Assistant Dean for Academic Career Advising & Director of the Climenko Fellowship Program, can also be consulted on questions about exam preparation. LL.M. students may contact Nancy Pinn, Assistant Dean for the Graduate Program and International Legal Studies.
Past Exams
Explore the Exam Archive to search for and view exams offered from fall 2010 to present.
Study Guides and Study Aids
The library has compiled several resources you may find useful in preparing for exams. This includes subject-specific guides for 1L courses, general tips and resources for exam prep, as well as access to the Wolters-Kluwer Online Study Aid Library.
Academic Coaching
HLS students are eligible for academic coaching consultations on the following academic areas:
- Reading comprehension
- Writing skills
- Time management and organization
- Test-taking strategies
Academic coaching is by referral only. Please contact the Dean of Students and Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging Office (DOS-CEEB) via email or phone at 617-495-1880 for further information.