Examination scripts and results

Key dates and deadlines for 2026

The table below shows the key dates and deadlines (over a 12-week period) for the University's provisions for Recounts and return of examination scripts following the date of the release of confirmed results for the 2024 examination periods.

Final results

Final results for papers can be viewed in the Examinations and Results section of the student eVision portal as soon as they become available each teaching period. Initially "Unconfirmed" will be shown alongside them. Once "Unconfirmed" is no longer showing, results are official.

The University of Otago uses the following scale to convert numerical marks into grades:

Viewing your examination script

You may request to view your script from the start of week 1 to the end of week 12 from the date of the release of confirmed results.

There are no application forms or fees associated with viewing your examination script.

On-campus students

Contact the relevant teaching department to arrange a time to view your script in the Department.

Distance Learning students

Please email us for information regarding viewing your script:

Email examinations@otago.ac.nz

Recounts

Applications for a recount must be made within four weeks from the date of the release of confirmed results (see above for dates). A recount involves a careful re-check of the marks that count toward your final result in a paper. The purpose of a recount is to ensure that no answer, no portion of an answer, or any work undertaken during the teaching period which counts for the final result, has been overlooked. No personal information accompanying the application is passed onto the examiners.

Your work is not re-marked; at the University of Otago there is no provision for any work to be re-marked.

Application and payment information

To apply please complete the Recount of Results form.

The administration fee is $36 per paper, regardless of how many examinations a paper has. This is because a recount is a check of all marks that comprise the final grade in a particular paper. Where a recount results in a change of mark, the administration fee will be refunded.

Once you submit the form you will be sent a link to make the payment by debit/credit card (Visa/Mastercard).

The submitted form and payment must be received by the deadline. Late applications are not accepted.

The recount process

Once your application has been received and your payment processed, the relevant department(s) will be asked to re-check all components of your final mark, to ensure that nothing has been omitted or recorded incorrectly. Once this is done, the department advises Student Administration of the outcome, and we advise you via your student email address. The process can take several weeks, so if you haven't been notified of the outcome and would like to check the status of your application, please contact:

Student Administration
Email examinations@otago.ac.nz

Return of examination scripts

You may apply for the return of your examination script from the start of week 7 until the end of week 12 from the date of the release of confirmed results.

After twelve weeks from the date of the release of confirmed results, unclaimed scripts are disposed of by Departments.

Restrictions

Not all examination scripts can be returned. If your answers involved problem solving, were answered on multi-choice answer sheets for computer marking or a Department requires a particular examination paper to be embargoed from publication and not released into the public domain then you will not be able to have your script returned to you. However, you can still view it.

Viewing your examination script

To find out if an examination script can be returned to you or not, go to the Library's past exam papers webpage and check the examination (embargoed examination papers are noted as such).

Past exam papers – University of Otago Library

Application information

Submit your application to AskOtago:

Return of examination scripts – AskOtago Service Portal

There is no administration fee associated with the return of examination scripts.

Final Examination Only

Students who have failed a paper but who have completed course work satisfactorily may apply for Final Examination Only enrolment. If approved, internal marks are carried over and the examination may be sat at the end of the next teaching period that the paper is offered.

• Approval for Final Examination Only enrolment is at the discretion of the relevant Head of Department.
• Some papers do not have the option of Final Examination Only; if this is the case, you will be advised.
• Final Examination Only enrolment may be granted only once for a particular paper.
• Final Examination Only enrolment is only available for the next teaching period in which the paper is offered after the paper is initially failed.
• Applications will not be approved if the content or assessment of the paper is going to be significantly altered when it is next offered, or if the paper is no longer offered.

Students approved for Final Examination Only enrolment are not entitled to:

• attend any lectures, laboratories, or tutorials
• receive assistance from academic staff
• have access to electronic holdings of course material
• receive printed course material.

Deadlines

Applications for Final Examination Only must be received by:

• Summer School papers – 10 January
• Semester 1 and full year papers – 1 March
• Semester 2 papers – 31 July

Further information about Final Examination Only is available here:

Final Examination Only