University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Computer-Based Testing Facility

Frequently Asked Questions

To avoid running into conflicts with your schedule, sign up EARLY in your exam period. Don’t wait until the last day!

I missed my exam. What should I do?

  • If the testing window is still open, you will need to speak with a proctor inside one of the CBTF labs to request that your reservation be deleted. Once your reservation is deleted you can then make a new reservation in the PrairieTest.

    If the testing window has closed you will need to contact your Instructor to schedule a conflict exam. CBTF proctors are not able to assist with scheduling exams that are outside of the testing window.  

I need to change my reservation. How do I do that?

  • As long as you haven’t missed your scheduled time you can reschedule as many times as you want. You can always reschedule any future reservations you haven’t missed yet.

I’m sick and can’t take my exam. What should I do?

  • Reschedule your exam when you are feeling better, or if you can't, speak to your instructor. We don’t want you to do badly on your exam because you don’t feel well.

What should I do if I can’t make my registered exam time?

  • Please reschedule your exam. If you don’t, that’s a seat that someone else won’t be able to take their exam in. If your exam time has already passed and you can’t change your reservation, you MUST come talk to the proctors to sign up for a new registered time.

What if I have a conflict with the exam I scheduled? What should I do?

  • Do your best to solve that conflict on your own by changing your reservation time before you show up and ask for help.
  • Remember that these are tests, and it is your responsibility to watch your schedule and make the necessary arrangements. DO NOT EXPECT TO BE ACCOMMODATED RIGHT AWAY, or expect proctors to extend your exams.
  • If you absolutely cannot take your exam within the offered days, you need to inform your instructor.

Why does my friend see slightly different exam times than I do?

  • The CBTF scheduler is balancing many factors in making seats available for different students and exams and not all students will always see exactly the same availability as others, but everyone is being offered the same days and time ranges.

I want to take my exam earlier than when I reserved it. What should I do?

  • Go online and change your reservation if a slot is available. Proctors will not accommodate you without a reservation.

What if I forget my i-card or don't have Illinois APP?

  • Your i-card or Illinois APP is how you get checked in for your exam.
  • Your UIN is not proof of identity. You must provide either your Building Access page on the Illinois App or an official form of identification (passport, government ID card, etc.).
  • You are allowed to check-in without your i-card Illinois APP twice a semester. On the third instance, you will NOT be allowed to enter the lab and will be asked to reschedule your exam for another time. You will not get a time or date extension.

What if I forget to register for an exam?

  • Once you realize you need to register, please make a reservation.
    If your testing period has already ended you need to contact your course staff.

What should I do if I am late?

  • Doors close at 10 minutes after the exam starts. You will be allowed in before this time but will not be given a time extension.
  • When you do come in, be as quiet and respectful as possible. Avoid distracting other test takers.
  • If you arrive after 10 minutes, ask the proctor to delete your reservation so you can make a new one. This is why it’s best not to schedule your exam late on the last day! You may not be able to reschedule if something happens!

If I can’t use my phone, how do I login with 2FA / Duo?

  • Logins from CBTF systems will not prompt for 2FA authentication, even if you’ve opted-in or normally are required to use Duo.
  • Providing your i-card or Illinois APP at check-in acts as two-factor authentication in this environment.
  • If you do not have your i-card or Illinois APP, you may be denied check-in to your exam.

Some general guidelines to remember when you have a problem during a test:

  • For exam content-related problems: You can report the problem directly to your course staff.
  • For software-related problems: Raise your hand and talk to a proctor. If you leave without speaking to a proctor, then the proctors cannot document the exact problem and the time you were experiencing this problem. This is vital information for your instructors.
  • For PrairieLearn-related problems: Raise your hand and talk to a proctor so they can troubleshoot the problem with the CBTF admins.

What should I do if someone is still logged into my computer?

  • Ask a proctor for help. Please do not reboot the computer yourself.

My computer froze up! What do I do?

  • Raise your hand and get a proctor immediately. They will walk you through a solution.
  • If it takes 10 minutes or less to solve the problem, you may be given some extra time to make-up for the computer freezing.
  • If it takes more than 10-minutes, the proctor will decide the next course of action for you.

Some information seems to be missing from my test. What should I do?

  • Raise your hand and talk to a proctor.

What do I do if I don’t know the meaning of a word?

  • Make your best assumption. The proctors may not, and often cannot, answer test content-related questions.

My professor said there was a reference page or formula sheet I can use. Where is it?

  • Click on the “Assessment Overview” button.
  • Read the instructions for your exam again. The reference page should be listed with the instructions.
  • If you find the reference page but you have trouble opening it, raise your hand and talk to the proctor.

I had a problem during the exam but I left the CBTF without talking to a proctor. Now, I want to report it. What should I do?

  • Proctors are unable to document problem reports that were not made during the exam. You must report all problems to a proctor while the exam is happening, so that they can attempt to fix the problem or document exactly what has happened.

I am a DRES student. What should I do?

    • Submit your Letter of Accommodation (LOA) here.

    • A proctor will update your CBTF profile. This only needs to be done once per semester, and takes effect for all CBTF courses. It is better to do this early, well before your first exam.

    • Profile updates do not affect any previous reservations made, so if you made a reservation BEFORE your profile was updated to reflect your accommodations, you need to change it and make sure that your accommodations show up correctly.

IMPORTANT: The CBTF cannot add DRES accommodations at the time of an exam. They MUST be uploaded 5 business days beforehand. 
 In the event of a failure to submit a LOA in a timely manner, students may reschedule their exam or take the exam without their accommodations.

Can I bring scratch paper?

  • No. The CBTF provides scratch paper you can use during your exam.
  • All used scratch paper must be recycled IN THE CBTF after each exam. No paper can leave the CBTF.
  • All unused scratch paper must be returned to the clean pile. 

Can I bring a calculator?

  • No. A Texas Instruments scientific calculator will be provided with your exam.

Can I use online apps during the exam?

  • No. The CBTF exam computers are not connected to the internet. All the software you will need to answer your exam is available on the CBTF computers.
  • Your instructor will inform you what applications you can use for your exam.

Can I use my cellphone while waiting for the exam to start?

  • No. Once you check-in, cellphone use is not permitted and will be treated as an Academic Integrity issue. See Academic Integrity Issues.
  • You must place your cellphone inside your bag or in the bins provided at the proctor desk.

Can I bring a drink/water bottle?

  • During regular exams, you can leave your drink with your bags, but no beverages or water bottles are allowed at the desk.
  • For Finals Week water bottle policy, refer to the Lab Policies.

What should I do if the student next to me is being disruptive?

  • Politely ask the person to stop, and if necessary, ask the proctor to help.

What should I do if there is an emergency and the CBTF has to reschedule my exam?

  • Before leaving the CBTF, make sure the proctors have your name, NetID, or UIN listed down so you can access the Scheduler to make a new reservation at a different time.
  • If it is NOT your last day, you can go on the PrairieTest immediately and make a new reservation.
  • If you do not have access in 24 hours, please contact us.

What should I do if there is an emergency in the testing center and I feel uncomfortable and distracted?

  • Talk to the proctors immediately. In emergency situations, the proctors will do their best to help you find an arrangement that works best for you and that the facility can provide.

The CBTF is aligned with the principles of Academic Integrity put forth by the University of Illinois Student Code:

ARTICLE 1—STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Part 4. Academic Integrity and Procedure
§ 1‑401 POLICY STATEMENT; APPLICATION; DEFINITIONS

(a) Policy Statement. The University has the responsibility for maintaining academic integrity so as to protect the quality of education and research on our campus and to protect those who depend upon our integrity.

(1) Expectations of Students. It is the responsibility of each student to refrain from infractions of academic integrity, from conduct that may lead to suspicion of such infractions, and from conduct that aids others in such infractions. Students have been given notice of this Part by virtue of its publication. Regardless of whether a student has actually read this Part, a student is charged with knowledge of it. Ignorance is not a defense.

§ 1‑402 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY INFRACTIONS

(a) Cheating. No student shall use or attempt to use in any academic exercise materials, information, study aids, or electronic data that the student knows or should know is unauthorized. Instructors are strongly encouraged to make in advance a clear statement of their policies and procedures concerning the use of shared study aids, examination files, and related materials and forms of assistance. Such advance notification is especially important in the case of take-home examinations. During any examination, students should assume that external assistance (e.g., books, notes, calculators, and communications with others) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Instructor.

What are examples of cheating?

  • Using cellphones and other unauthorized electronic devices during the exam.
  • Bringing in unauthorized information into the CBTF, in whatever form.
  • Using an unauthorized sheet before or during exams.
  • Copying information from an unauthorized sheet onto CBTF-provided scratch paper, effectively making the scratch paper the new unauthorized sheet.
  • Writing information on body parts or other personal items and referring to this information during the exam.
  • Writing exam information on CBTF-provided scratch paper and removing it from the CBTF.
  • Removing any paper, such as authorized help sheets approved by the instructor or any scratch paper, from the CBTF after the exam.
  • Telling your classmates specific content of the exam after you have taken it and before they take it themselves, giving them an unfair advantage over other students.

I just saw someone cheating. What should I do?

  • Please report it to a proctor right away or at the end of your test. You can talk to the proctor or click on the “REPORT CHEATING” link in the PrairieTest system — whatever you feel comfortable doing. The proctors will take care of the rest.
  • The CBTF takes exam security and integrity very seriously. Help us keep the exam fair for all students.
  • We can assure you that your reporting will be kept confidential and that the final report will not include any reference to you.

What if I get caught cheating?

  • According to CBTF Policies and Procedures, your information will be documented by the proctor, and a report will be written about the incident.
  • This report will be submitted to your instructor who will then proceed to take the necessary steps for disciplinary action.

Will the proctor give me a zero in the test if they catch me cheating?

  • The CBTF proctors do not have access to your exams and cannot determine the consequence of your actions.
    However, they need to report the incident to your professor in compliance with the procedures set forth by the University of Illinois Student Code § 1‑403 PROCEDURES

Who are the CBTF proctors?

  • The CBTF Proctors are mostly non-engineering professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
  • They are there to make sure you are checked-in for the right exam at your reserved time and that everyone is as comfortable as they can be while taking tests in a computer lab with other students.

Are CBTF proctors also teaching assistants for the Grainger College of Engineering?

  • It depends. Proctors typically do not have a background in Engineering. In fact, undergraduate engineering students are not eligible to become CBTF proctors.
  • Therefore, CBTF proctors cannot help you with content questions about your exam. You have to make your own best assumptions.
  • And if proctors did know, remember that these are exams and they cannot give you answers or hints.

What do the proctors do at the CBTF?

  • Give reminders that ensure a safe and secure testing environment for everyone.
  • Check-in students to confirm they are registered for the exam.
  • Help students with technical problems that may come up.
  • Help document a problem that should be reported to the instructors.
  • Help provide a safe and secure environment where students can take computer-based exams.
  • Ensure that the principles of Academic Integrity are upheld.
  • Report cheating to the CBTF administrators.

Why are the CBTF proctors so strict, especially during check-in?

  • The proctors are trained to follow strict check-in procedures to ensure exam security and integrity.
  • If proctors remind you to bring your i-Card or Illinois APP, they are following CBTF policies and procedures.
  • Providing your i-Card Illinois APP at check-in acts as two-factor authentication in this environment.
    If you do not have your i-Card Illinois APP, you may be denied check-in to your exam.