The Grainger College of Engineering
Computer-Based Testing Facility

Exam Scheduling

Campus Exam Scheduling Policies

Equivalent Release from Regular Class Periods

Student code (Article 3, Part 2, Section 202) states students should be "excused from one or more regular class periods for an amount of time equivalent to that required for the outside-of-class period examination." 

For CBTF exams, release from class should be equivalent to the length of the exam reservation in the CBTF. 

  • 50 minute exam reservation = 50 minute release from class time

  • 1hr 50 minute exam reservation = 1hr 50 minute release from class time

Faculty members are responsible for adjusting their class periods to comply with policies regarding outside-of-class-period exams. The following strategies can be used to provide students with the required release from class time:

  • Cancel some class sessions
  • Convert some class sessions to be optional (e.g. review sessions before or after an exam)
  • Create course quiz sections
  • Add credit hours to the course

For more information on campus policies regarding outside-of-class-period exams, please refer to the Student Code.

Exam Windows

CBTF exam windows are designed to comply with examination guidelines outlined in the student code. Exam windows in the CBTF cover multiple days to provide students with opportunities to select the exam time that will work best for them and with their schedules.  When exam windows include weekend testing options,  weekday testing opportunities are also intentionally included. Testing is not conducted during campus holidays, breaks,  or during any other times in which testing is prohibited.

For more information on campus policies regarding outside-of-class-period exams, please refer to the Student Code.

Exam Scheduling

A call for participation is distributed each semester to determine the testing schedules for the upcoming semester.  The CBTF is constrained by space and cannot always accommodate every request.  Courses that have historically tested in the CBTF and who plan to utilize the same testing schedule (testing frequency, length of exams, week during the semester) are prioritized when scheduling.  Courses new to the CBTF or requests to alter exam schedules are accommodated based on CBTF capacity.  This policy allows us to provide reasonable assurance to courses that have already transitioned to utilizing the CBTF that they will continue to have access.  

When scheduling, the CBTF reserves the right to limit or ask for modifications to exam schedules (number of exams or timing of exams) to facilitate the successful operation and distribution of CBTF resources.

CBTF admins will make exam schedules available to courses in PrairieTest. Instructors will need to confirm the schedule, or request changes.

Changing or removing an exam

If an instructor ever needs to cancel or alter an exam schedule, they should contact the admins (cbtf@illinois.edu). It’s preferable to make these changes before the students make reservations for that exam, but we can handle each case as they come in.

Final Exams

Final exams are scheduled independently from the rest of the semester's repeating exams.  Similar to semester exam scheduling, courses that have historically held their final exam in the CBTF are given preference.  Courses wanting to begin holding final exams in the CBTF are accommodated based on CBTF capacity. 

The CBTF offers two final exam options.

  •  1hr and 50min final exams - These are held in the CBTF similar to exams throughout the semester.
  • 3 hr Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) exams - The CBTF arranges for rooms on campus and provides logistical support but students bring their own laptops and course staff is responsible for the proctors.

Exam windows for final exams are arranged to include the registrar-assigned exam date for single-section courses.  For multi-section courses, exam windows registrar-assigned exam times are given, but it is not possible to accommodate all of the registrar-assigned times in an exam window.

Courses that do not test with the CBTF during the semester, are not permitted to hold final exams in the CBTF.   Additionally, due to capacity constraints, the CBTF  does not permit optional final exams.

Missed Exams / Conflict Exams

CBTF proctors are able to help a student reschedule a missed exam if there is still time in the testing window.  If the testing window has closed, students will need to contact their instructor to arrange a conflict exam time in the CBTF. CBTF proctors are not able to schedule exams outside of the testing window. Please see Missed / Conflict Exams for more information. 

Campus Exam Scheduling Policies

CBTF exam windows are designed to comply with examination guidelines outlined in the student code. Exam windows in the CBTF cover multiple days to provide students with opportunities to select the exam time that will work best for them and with their schedules.  When exam windows include weekend testing options, options for testing during the week are also intentionally included Testing is not conducted during campus holidays, breaks,  or during any other times in which testing is prohibited.