Frequently Asked Questions about University

Questions will be added to this page as I see fit.

Exams

What are the types of exams?

These are noted on the faculty website . I have simplified it below:

Type A or B: You can not bring any of your own material, everything you need is provided.
Type C: You can print a double-sided aid sheet using this template . The content on this sheet can be whatever you want it to be. C1 exams require you to physically write on the page, C2 lets you additionally write on a tablet, and C3 allows you to type, paste images, anything you'd like as long as it fits.
Type D: The examiner will let you know beforehand what you're allowed to bring. For example, you may be allowed to bring a steel standards manual for your Steel and Timber Exam.
Type X: Open book. You can bring any physical material you want, assuming it is not your phone or any other device that can connect with the outside world during your exam.
Type O: Not covered above. The examiner will tell you beforehand what exactly this means.

What calculators can I bring to my exams?

This depends on your examiner, but usually it is Type 3, which are non-programmable calculators approved by the Faculty. These are Casio FX991 models and Sharp EL-W516 and EL-520 models. In 2nd year and up, TI-30X models are allowed as well. Some may also allow any non-programmable calculator, but I would not advise spending extra on a new calculator for that. Exams which allow programmable calculators are rare, while exams not allowing any calculator will typically occur for first-year MAT courses and other courses where very little calculation is needed (ex. APS111/112).

How much will exams be worth?

Within your first two years, final exams will typically be weighted between 35 and 50%. Midterm weight will vary by course and some will have two midterms. Individual midterm exams have been weighted as low as 10% (MAT188, which has two) and as high as 35% (CIV100, which has one). You may have other tests like in-tutorial or in-lecture quizzes. The professor will usually tell you this in the syllabus.

Before 2025, the exception to the rule of weightings was APS111, which had a 25% final exam. Currently, the exam is worth 35%. Project-based courses will emphasize assignments more so if they have a final exam (APS112 does not), it will be weighted significantly less than those in other courses.

Do exams cover content before the midterm?

Usually they do, and almost always emphasizing content after the last midterm. In the event the course coordinator decides to not cover pre-midterm content, they will say it in class or on the syllabus (usually the former). The latter occurred in CIV214 and CIV280, but did not occur during my first year.

Tech

Do I need to buy an iPad for university?

No
The best note-taking device will depend on you. If you can organize physical notes and have a place close by to store them (e.g. a Civ Club locker), consider a physical notebook. Supposedly the resistance on the paper makes physical notes better for retention (though there are screen protectors you can buy that increase friction). If you can avoid getting distracted while on your computer, then perhaps a drawing tablet will work. I advise against buying a new iPad due to the cost (if you have one already, keep using it). I use a drawing tablet you can plug into your laptop (They are less than $100). The main disadvantage is you will need a little more space, which may require creativity in the most cramped lecture halls.

If you are looking for a notetaking app, I know some people use Goodnotes but I prefer OneNote. UofT students can use it for free with their U of T e-mail addresses.

Do I need to buy a new laptop for engineering?

Probably not. However, you may want to buy one now specifically due cost increases.
In first year, you will not need to run any specialized software in your classes. There are a few things you will run on the school (ECF) computers. Software you need for classes is generally (though not always) available on the ECF computers. However, you may find the ECF computers are a bit slow with more intensive tasks. For most students, you probably do not need to until second year. Under normal circumstances, I would recommend purchasing a new device then, unless you need to buy one earlier (e.g. your old computer becomes very laggy, or its battery stops working and getting a new battery is not worth it). I purchased mine during second year. However, with the increases in RAM prices due to high demand from AI companies, you may find a better deal now rather than later. Additionally, if you already have a good computer, you may not need to buy a new computer for university.

Other

When will our schedules be released? When will I be able to enroll in courses?

If you are going into first year and are not taking APS162 or APS164 this summer, you will not have an elective slot for the upcoming school year. UofT will release your schedule in mid-to-late June. Learn more here .

When do courses at UofT Engineering run?

In your first two years of study, core courses will only run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with exams sometimes in the evening ending as late as 9 p.m. or on the weekend (though rarely on Sundays). UofT Engineering Exams will be two and a half hours, starting at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m., or 6:30 p.m. Engineering elective courses or upper-year courses may also run in the evening -- two mandatory third-year courses in Civil Engineering have practicals until 8 p.m.

When will I have to pay?

The deadline to pay your fall tuition is in mid-August. If receiving student aid in Canada or the U.S. or a very large scholarship, you will be able to defer your fees. For more information, see UofT's fee deferrals page. If a minimum payment is not paid on time, your enrollment for the fall-winter term will be financially cancelled. For more information, see UofT's payment deadlines page.

I got a scholarship. Do I have to tell OSAP?

If it was awarded based on merit rather than financial need and your school has not told you in writing they will report it directly to OSAP, yes.

Last updated: 07/12/2026