Princeton Honor Code (Exam Rules & Pledge)
Princeton undergraduates must follow the Honor Code and the specific instructions for each written exam, including take-home exams. Use only approved materials, work independently unless collaboration is expressly allowed, and ask the instructor about unclear rules before starting. Submit the exam as directed and make the standard pledge truthfully: “I pledge my honor that I have not violated the Honor Code during this examination.”
Exam rules can be easy to misread, especially when a take-home test feels like ordinary coursework. The safest approach is to treat each exam’s instructions as the guide to what you may do, use, and discuss. Below, I explain how to check those instructions, avoid common mistakes, and respond if you have a concern.
Princeton’s undergraduate Honor Code: who and what it covers
The Honor Code sets expectations for honesty in covered written examinations taken by Princeton undergraduates. It applies to take-home exams as well as exams held in person. The specific exam instructions still matter: they explain which resources and activities are allowed for that assessment.
The student-run Honor Committee handles suspected violations under University procedures. For current details, consult Princeton’s official Honor Code materials and the University Registrar’s examination instructions. A classmate’s memory or an unofficial checklist may not reflect the rules for your exam.
A key point is that “take-home” does not mean “open resource” or “collaborative.” An exam may allow notes, books, calculators, or other tools, but you should use them only when the instructions permit them. The same applies to discussing questions, contacting others, or seeking help.
Takeaway: Start with the instructions for the exam in front of you, then use current official Princeton materials if you need information about University procedures.
Exam rules: permitted materials, independent work, and the pledge
Exam instructions define the boundaries for each assessment. They may state which materials you can use, whether collaboration is allowed, how to submit your work, and whether there are rules for communication or breaks. The pledge affirms compliance; it does not replace compliance.
Check what the exam allows
Before beginning, read all instructions, including those in the exam document and any directions sent by the instructor. Look for explicit statements about:
- Notes, textbooks, websites, and other outside sources
- Calculators, computers, phones, and other devices
- Collaboration, discussion, or help from another person
- Communication during the exam
- Breaks, exam timing, and submission method
If a rule is absent or unclear, do not assume that a resource is allowed. Ask the instructor promptly, ideally before starting. Until you receive an answer, avoid taking steps that depend on your preferred interpretation.
Work independently unless told otherwise
The core expectation is that you do not give or receive unauthorized assistance. Collaboration is allowed only when the exam instructions expressly permit it, and only within the stated limits. Permission to discuss one part of an assignment, for example, would not automatically mean you can share answers or work together on an exam.
A take-home format does not change this standard. Nor does a practice from another course. Each exam may set different limits, so do not carry over assumptions from a previous class.
Make the pledge as directed
The standard examination pledge is:
“I pledge my honor that I have not violated the Honor Code during this examination.”
Follow the exam’s directions about when and how to make the pledge. If it asks you to write or submit it, do so as instructed. The pledge is an affirmation of your conduct, not permission to use a resource or get help that the rules prohibit.
| Exam instruction or situation | Practical response |
|---|---|
| “You may use your course notes.” | Use those notes; do not assume other sources are allowed. |
| “No collaboration is permitted.” | Do not discuss exam questions or answers with others. |
| Collaboration is expressly allowed within limits. | Stay within those limits; do not treat limited permission as unrestricted teamwork. |
| The rules do not mention a device or outside website. | Ask the instructor before using it. |
| You are unsure whether a conversation counts as help. | Pause that conversation and seek clarification. |
| The pledge is requested at submission. | Submit it as directed and only if it is truthful. |
Takeaway: The controlling question is not “Would this usually be allowed?” It is “Do this exam’s instructions allow it?”
How to prepare, clarify, and complete an exam
A short review before you start can prevent avoidable confusion. Read the rules, resolve uncertainties, and set up your work so you can follow the instructions throughout the exam. If a concern comes up later, address it promptly through appropriate University channels.
Before the exam
- Read the full instructions. Check the exam itself and any related directions from the instructor.
- List the limits. Note permitted materials, collaboration rules, communication rules, timing, and how to submit.
- Ask about unclear points. Be specific. For example: “May I use a calculator for this exam?” is clearer than “What resources are allowed?”
- Prepare accordingly. Keep only permitted materials available and avoid relying on an unapproved device, website, or person.
During the exam
Work within the stated rules, even if a question feels difficult or the exam is unsupervised. Do not contact another person about exam content unless the instructions allow that contact. If you discover that an instruction is unclear while working, avoid the action in question and contact the instructor for guidance.
A common point of confusion is whether a quick conversation is harmless. Its significance depends on the exam rules and what was shared. If communication is restricted, do not assume that a short message, a hint, or a discussion after one section is acceptable.
At submission
Check the submission directions. Confirm that you have sent the work through the required method and included the pledge if directed. Do not add a pledge simply to signal good faith if you believe it would be untrue; instead, seek guidance about the situation.
| Stage | Check | If something is unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Before starting | Materials, collaboration, communication, timing | Ask the instructor before proceeding |
| While working | Whether an action stays within the rules | Pause the uncertain action and seek guidance |
| At submission | File, method, deadline, and pledge directions | Follow the stated process; ask about unresolved issues |
| After a concern arises | What happened and what the rules said | Seek guidance promptly through University channels |
Takeaway: A clear plan before you begin is easier than trying to interpret a rule after an uncertain action has already occurred.
Common situations and how to think them through
These examples are illustrative, not official rulings. They show how to apply the basic rule: follow the exam’s instructions, and ask when they do not answer your question. A case can depend on details, so examples cannot replace advice from the instructor or the University’s official procedures.
A take-home exam and an outside source
Suppose a student finds a website that explains a method used in a question. The exam says nothing about websites. The student should not assume that online access is allowed simply because the exam is completed at home. The safer step is to ask the instructor before using the source.
A classmate offers a hint
Suppose a friend sends a message with a suggestion about an exam problem. If the exam bars communication or assistance, the student should not use or request such help. If the rules are unclear, the student should avoid further discussion and seek guidance rather than rely on a friend’s interpretation.
Collaboration is allowed, but only in part
Suppose the instructions allow students to discuss general concepts but require each student to write answers alone. The permission covers the stated discussion, not shared answers or joint writing. Read the boundaries closely and keep the final work within them.
A possible mistake after submission
Suppose a student later realizes that a resource may not have been permitted. The student should not try to resolve the concern by asking classmates to keep quiet or by relying on informal advice. Seek guidance promptly through the appropriate University channels and cooperate with applicable procedures.
Takeaway: When the facts do not fit neatly into an example, do not use the example as a ruling. Get guidance about your actual situation.
If you are concerned about a possible violation
A possible Honor Code concern is serious, but uncertainty alone does not tell you how a case will be handled. Princeton’s Honor Committee handles suspected violations under University procedures. Consult official Princeton materials for current process details, and seek guidance promptly if you believe your conduct may have crossed an exam rule.
Write down the relevant facts while they are fresh: what the instructions said, what happened, and when. Keep this account factual. Avoid changing or hiding work, deleting relevant messages, or asking someone else to shape an account for you. These are practical steps for keeping your recollection clear, not a substitute for University guidance.
If you are asked to participate in a University process, follow the applicable directions and seek appropriate support. Do not rely on an old online post to predict what will happen in an individual case. Outcomes and procedures depend on the facts and current University rules.
Takeaway: Address concerns directly and promptly. Official Princeton procedures, not informal summaries, govern how suspected cases are handled.
Frequently asked questions
These short answers cover common questions about exam conduct and the pledge. They summarize the general expectations described above, but they do not override an exam’s own directions or current University policy. When your situation turns on a detail, ask the instructor or consult official Princeton materials.
Does the Honor Code cover take-home exams?
Yes. Princeton’s Honor Code applies to written examinations, including take-home exams. Follow the instructions for the specific exam.
Can I use my notes during a Princeton exam?
Only if that exam’s instructions allow notes. Do not assume notes are permitted because the exam is take-home.
Can I work with a classmate?
Only when the instructions expressly allow collaboration, and only within the limits stated.
What if the exam instructions do not mention a calculator or website?
Ask the instructor before using it. Silence is not clear permission.
What is the standard examination pledge?
“I pledge my honor that I have not violated the Honor Code during this examination.”
Does submitting the pledge make my work compliant?
No. The pledge affirms your conduct. It does not replace the requirement to follow the rules.
Can I discuss an exam after I submit it?
Check the exam’s instructions for communication limits. If they do not answer your question, ask the instructor before discussing exam content.
What if I accidentally received help?
Do not guess how the rules apply. Seek guidance promptly through appropriate University channels and cooperate with applicable procedures.
Who handles suspected Honor Code violations?
Princeton’s student-run Honor Committee handles suspected violations under University procedures. Check official Princeton materials for current details.
Where should I check the latest exam rules?
Read the instructions issued for your exam and consult Princeton’s official Honor Code materials and University Registrar examination instructions.
In short, read the specific rules, use only authorized resources, and work independently unless the exam clearly allows collaboration. If you are unsure, ask before acting. If a concern arises, seek guidance promptly rather than relying on assumptions or informal advice.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Alan Westbrook. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
