Exams and Course Evaluations
College of Medicine uses Benware for online exams.
LInks Heading link
Note Heading link
Note: Exams are administered using College of Medicine laptop computers, so students will not be accessing computer-based exams from this web page.
If you experience problems using Blackboard with Firefox, try Internet Explorer or Safari. It might not be a bad idea to install the Extended Support Release of Firefox. This won’t change as drastically as the constantly changing versions Mozilla likes to update, and in theory should be more stable to use with the various applications (such as Blackboard) that you are required to use. You can find the ESR releases on Mozilla website (NOTE LANGUAGE–choose wisely.)
Computer Based Testing Process Heading link
Computer-based examinations will be administered in a single session located in the two newly renovated active learning rooms located in the College of Medicine West Tower, Rooms 429 and 527 CMWT. College of Medicine laptop computers, used for all in-house examinations will utilize Benware, an inter-campus developed software package containing an on-screen calculator, options for highlighting, etc. National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examinations are also administered using NBME software on UIC computers.
See below the exam check-in process and other instructions corresponding to your year.
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Check-in Procedures
Report Times:
First and second year exams are typically scheduled to report at 7:45 AM unless otherwise noted in the M1/M2 Block Schedules.Location:
Students will be assigned to either 429 CMWT or 527 CMWT. Students should report to either the 4th or 5th Floor common area adjacent to the particular learning center room to which they are assigned for check-in.Check-in
At check-in, each student will:
- Secure personal belongings and all electronic devices in the lockers immediately outside your assigned testing room.
- Present I-Card photo ID or other valid photo ID (e.g., valid driver’s license, passport, etc.) to the check-in personnel. (Students without valid photo ID should report to OSA Office for verification of identity and “Letter of Admittance”.)
- Go to the designated seat within the room and report to one of the 4 assigned area proctors.
**Absolutely no food or drinks are allowed!**
Other Info
During the exam: Students will follow standard testing protocol which will be read prior to the beginning of the exam. Students are also expected to adhere to the standards of professional behavior and academic integrity.
Time Limits: Variable. Exam times are based on the number of exam items multiplied by 1.6 minutes. Note that Benware provides a timer visible on the screen. Students are allowed bathroom access during the exam. It should be noted that the exam timer continues during these breaks.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS DURING A TESTING SESSION, RAISE YOUR HAND AND SUMMON A PROCTOR. HE/SHE WILL INITIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND, IF NECESSARY, SUMMON AN IR PROFESSIONAL. THE PROCTOR WILL ALSO RECORD THE TIME AND DURATION OF THE INTERRUPTION SO THAT ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE IF THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF TIME.
In addition, after completing the exam, students will have the opportunity to review the items on the test and make comments on either the test or any of its items using a Benware “comment” facility. They will have from 15 minutes for exams having up to 50 items, 25 minutes for exams having up to 100 items and 35 minutes for any exam greater than 100 items.
The primary purpose of the post-exam item review is to learn from the exam. Students should prioritize this time by focusing on improving his/her knowledge of the content, and by trying to understand why a right answer is right or a wrong answer is wrong. The secondary purpose of the post-exam item review is to give students an opportunity to provide feedback to course directors and the Office of Assessment and Evaluation. Student feedback about specific items should be brief and targeted with one or two clear and specific statements. Be professional in your comments as the name of the author will be available to the faculty.
It should be noted that students will be able to discern the number of correct answers they have on the exam. However, this number may be subject to change due to “dropped items”, etc. that may occur during the mandatory, Course Director post-exam review session.
Revised 6/16/16
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Check-in Procedures
Report Times:
Third and fourth year exams are typically scheduled to report at 1:00PM unless otherwise noted in the schedules below.Location:
- Third year students will be assigned to either 429 CMWT or 527 CMWT, based on the exam being taken.
- Fourth year students taking the Emergency Medicine Advance Clinical Examination will also be assigned to these rooms.
- Fourth year students taking the Pediatric Advance Clinical Examination will generally report to 430 CMWT for their sessions unless otherwise listed in the below.
Check-In:
Students will report to either the 4th or 5th Floor common area adjacent to their assigned learning center room.At check-in, each student will:
- Secure personal belongings and all electronic devices in the lockers immediately outside your assigned testing room.
- Present I-Card photo ID or other valid photo ID (e.g., valid driver’s license, passport, etc.) to the check-in personnel. (Students without valid photo ID should report to OSA Office for verification of identity and “Letter of Admittance”.)
- Go to the designated seat within the room and report to their assigned area proctor.
**ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED.**
Other Info
During the exam: Students will follow standard testing protocol which will be read prior to the beginning of the exam. Students are also expected to adhere to the standards of professional behavior and academic integrity.
Time Limits: Variable. Exam times are based on the number of exam items multiplied by 1.6 minutes. Note that Benware provides a timer visible on the screen. Students are allowed bathroom access during the exam. It should be noted that the exam timer continues during these breaks.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS DURING A TESTING SESSION, RAISE YOUR HAND AND SUMMON A PROCTOR. HE/SHE WILL INITIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND, IF NECESSARY, SUMMON AN IR PROFESSIONAL. THE PROCTOR WILL ALSO RECORD THE TIME AND DURATION OF THE INTERRUPTION SO THAT ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE IF THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF TIME.
In addition, after completing the exam, students will have the opportunity to review the items on the test and make comments on either the test or any of its items using a Benware “comment” facility. They will have from 15 minutes for exams having up to 50 items, 25 minutes for exams having up to 100 items and 35 minutes for any exam greater than 100 items.
The primary purpose of the post-exam item review is to learn from the exam. Students should prioritize this time by focusing on improving his/her knowledge of the content, and by trying to understand why a right answer is right or a wrong answer is wrong. The secondary purpose of the post-exam item review is to give students an opportunity to provide feedback to course directors and the Office of Assessment and Evaluation. Student feedback about specific items should be brief and targeted with one or two clear and specific statements. Be professional in your comments as the name of the author will be available to the faculty.
It should be noted that students will be able to discern the number of correct answers they have on the exam. However, this number may be subject to change due to “dropped items”, etc. that may occur during the mandatory, Course Director post-exam review session.
Revised 6/16/16
Electronic Devices Policy Heading link
Electronics devices that are not allowed in computer-based testing rooms include:
- “smart” watches with memory, programmability, or other advanced features.
- All other electronic equipment with memory capabilities including iPhones, iPads or other similar devices.
- Devices that can record and/or include a camera.
- Ear phones.
Students are advised to bring simple foam ear plugs.
Exit Procedure Heading link
Upon completion of the exam and making any desired comments, students will:
- Notify their area proctor.
- Exit the exam room and remain quiet in the adjacent halls being mindful of remaining students who are continuing work on the exam.
- Collect personal belongings from the lockers immediately outside your assigned testing room.