For Prospective Faculty
The Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF) is an in-person, computer-based proctoring service that is supported by the Grainger College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Our role is to:
- Provide a secure testing environment where students can take computer-based exams.
- Relieve faculty and staff from managing the logistics of exams.
Find out more below about our labs and how we operate to see if we are the right fit for your course. For additional information about how to get started with the CBTF, contact Jim Sosnowski.
Some of the benefits that courses experience from using the CBTF include:
- Frees course staff from exam logistics and grading
- Trained proctors and network filtering create secure testing environment
- Allows courses to run more frequent, smaller exams that reduce student anxiety and better represent student learning.
- Provides students immediate feedback on exam performance
- Facilitates second-chance exams, allowing struggling students an opportunity to review and demonstrate mastery of concepts that they missed on an exam.
Sample Semester Exam Schedule
Exam dates:- Exam 1: Tue 2023-02-14 - Thu 2023-02-16
- Exam 2: Tue 2023-02-28 - Thu 2023-03-02
- Exam 3: Tue 2023-04-04 - Thu 2023-04-06
Each CBTF exam has a multi-day testing window. Students can schedule for their exam during that testing window using our online scheduling software (PrairieTest). Our labs are open 7 days/week, 12 hours/day, providing students with flexible exam scheduling.
Missed / Conflict Exams During Exam Window
Student Responsibility
- Visit CBTF lab to reschedule exam in remaining exam window
Faculty Responsibility
- None
Students can reschedule their exam at any point during their multi-day exam window as long as there are open reservation times, even if they miss a reservation. No intervention is needed by faculty.
Missed / Conflict Exams After Exam Window
Student Responsibility
- Request override from course staff
- Schedule at the CBTF during extended exam window (if granted by course staff).
Faculty Responsibility
Determine if an extension is warranted If warranted, enter extension in PrairieTest and instruct student register in the CBTF. For students who require conflict exam times outside of the original multi-day testing window, all faculty have to do is enter an extension in our scheduling system and students can register to take their exam in our labs.
PrairieLearn
The majority of CBTF courses utilize PrairieLearn which natively integrates with our scheduling software and aligns with our network security.
Additional Learning Management System (LMS) Options
The following LMSs have also been integrated with PrairieTest.
- CS 124
- Mastery Platform (STAT 107)
Courses are welcome to utilize any LMS that can be integrated with our scheduling software. Information about integrating your LMS can be found here.
- All CBTF exams are computer-based
- Student workstations only are equipped with web browsers to access online LMS
- Firewall prevents access to non-test materials
- Trained proctors monitor every exam session
Technical/Student Problems
Student Responsibility
- Report issue to CBTF proctors during the exam
- Complete exam to the best of their ability
- Follow up with course staff
Faculty Responsibility
- Determine appropriate response based on documented information
Students occasionally experience issues while taking their exam (e.g. technology related issues, sickness, exam question problems). When students report an issue, proctors work to resolve the issue if possible. If an issue cannot be resolved, the CBTF provides you with a detailed student and proctor account of the issue, allowing you to make an informed decision about the appropriate course of action.
Academic Integrity Violations
Student Responsibility
- Complete exam
- Follow up with course staff
Faculty Responsibility
- Review CBTF provided documentation of incident
- Determine appropriate course of action
Exam security and providing a fair testing environment is our top priority. When students cheat during an exam (e.g. bring in unauthorized materials), the CBTF provides a detailed account of the incident along with photographic evidence from our security cameras through the FAIR system. Faculty are then able to review the evidence and determine the appropriate sanction.
The CBTF strives to accommodate all students and offers accommodations as outlined by Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES). In situations where a particular DRES accommodation cannot be provided, we will collaborate with the student and their Access Specialist to identify the most suitable alternative.
The CBTF supports the following accommodations:
- Extended testing duration (including allocated break periods, will be provided)
- Use of a computer for testing
- A reduced-distraction environment for testing
- Height-adjustable seating
- Use of a calculator
- Text-to-speech software
- Access to food and beverages (No food/drink at computer stations; designated areas are available)
- Restroom breaks
- For other accommodations, kindly consult the CBTF staff or your designated Access Specialist.
Is the CBTF Right for Your Course?
How would you answer the following questions?
- Is your course meeting in person?
- Are you using PrairieLearn or able to integrate your LMS with PrairieTest?
- Are you comfortable letting the CBTF staff take care of all exam logistics for your course?
- Are you amenable to adapting your exams to CBTF standards such as 50-minute exams, limited allowed exam materials, and asynchronous exam delivery?
- Are you comfortable locking in your exam schedule at the beginning of the semester?
Answering "yes" to all these questions is a good sign that the CBTF may be the right fit for you. To find out more about getting started with the CBTF, contact Jim Sosnowski.