Tenttiviikko: exam week

Detailed explanation

Finnish universities organize their teaching into study periods (periodit), and each period typically ends with a tenttiviikko where students sit their final exams. Depending on the university, there may be 4-5 exam weeks spread throughout the academic year. Some universities also offer general exam days (yleistentit) on set dates each month, allowing students to retake failed exams or take exams at alternative times.

Exam formats in Finland vary widely. Traditional sit-down written exams remain common, but many courses also use take-home exams, essays, projects, oral presentations, or continuous assessment. Some universities have moved toward electronic exams (e-tentti), where students take exams on computers in designated exam halls.

A distinctive feature of the Finnish system is the right to retake exams. Students typically have two or three opportunities to retake a failed exam at no additional cost. This policy reflects the Finnish educational philosophy that learning is more important than single-point assessments.

How it affects expats

• •Different expectations: Finnish exams often emphasize understanding and application rather than memorization, which may differ from your home country

• •Exam registration: You usually must register for exams in advance through the university's online system (such as Sisu or Peppi)

• •Language considerations: Exams in Finnish-language courses are in Finnish, but many English-program exams allow answers in English

• •Retake opportunities: Failing an exam is not catastrophic; you can retake it, usually within the same academic year

• •Special arrangements: Students with learning difficulties or language challenges may request extra time or dictionary use

Common exam types

• •Luentotentti: Lecture exam based on course content

• •Kirjatentti: Book exam based on assigned reading

• •E-tentti: Electronic exam taken on a computer

• •Kotitehtävä: Take-home exam or assignment

• •Yleistentti: General exam day for retakes or independent study courses

Related terms

• •Lukuvuosi (Academic Year) — The Finnish academic year calendar, its structure, and key dates that international students need to know

• •Opintopiste (Study Credit) — The Finnish university credit system based on European Credit Transfer System used to measure study workload

• •Yliopisto (University) — Research university in Finland offering academic degrees and conducting scientific research

• •Tutkinto (Degree) — An academic or vocational qualification awarded upon completion of a study program in Finland