Proficiency Exams

This page contains important information about proficiency exams and make-up finals.  Read this document to the end BEFORE signing up for an exam.

Physics proficiency exams are held at the start, middle and end of the Spring and Fall semesters.

If you have taken any exam in a course, you forfeit your privilege to take the proficiency exam for that course.  

Registration for Physics Spring 2025 proficiency exams taking place January 17th - January 24th  is currently OPEN.

You can enroll for more than one exam, for example you can attempt both the PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 exams.

An exam may be taken only once. 

Students enrolled in any advanced Physics course are not allowed to take any Physics proficiency exam.

Spring 2025 PROFICIENCY EXAM INFORMATION

Exams Held: January 17th - January 24th.

Registration Spring 2025: OPEN until January 15th

Proficiency Exams are one hour and fifty minutes (1hr 50min) in length and consist of multiple choice questions. They are held at the Computer Based Testing Facility (CBTF). Calculators and online formula sheets are provided.

Registration CLOSED.

• Proficiency exams for the Spring 2025 semester will be held January 17th - January 24th.
• Add Your Name to the Roster: 
  1. Go to the sign-up tool:
  2. Choose the class you'd like to take an exam in and click the 'Signup!' button. Please note that the time/date  listed is NOT the date of the exam, you will chose a time/date for your exam in PrairieTest.
• You will then need to wait one business day, then go to PrairieTest and and enroll in the proficiency exam you your registered for.
• You can reserve any available exam time in PrairieTest to take your proficiency test with the CBTF. 
• Please review the CBTF  website for important information regarding their policies and procedures.

Courses Available:  The Department of Physics will be offering proficiency exams for the following courses during the Spring 2025 semester:

• PHYS 101
• PHYS 102
• PHYS 211
• PHYS 212
• PHYS 213
• PHYS 214

Results: Students will be notified of their results by end of business on January 27th .  Official notification will be sent to the Registrars Office no later than two weeks after exam completion.

GENERAL PROFICIENCY EXAM INFORMATION

Grade:  

• The assigned grade is Pass or Fail.
• An 80% score is required to receive a passing grade. 
• Failures are not formally reported.

Study information:  Course syllabi are available on the web:

• Click the course web site of the corresponding course to the proficiency exam you wish to take
• Select the Course Schedule link for the list of topics covered in the course.
• Proficiency students will not be able to access slides, handouts, or assignments for review;  only the course topics will be available.

You can also check out the Center for Academic Resources in Engineering (CARE).

MAKEUP FINAL EXAM INFORMATION

Students who missed a final exam in a previous semester may register to make up the final exam when the proficiency exams are given.  

You must register to take a make-up final exam:   

• Add your name to the roster using the sign-up tool.
• Indicate the semester in which you took the course.

QUESTIONS

Please direct all questions about proficiency exams to:

1. our Physics Undergraduate Office Queue with PROFICIENCY as the tag in your request
2. email the Physics Undergraduate Office at undergrad@physics.illinois.edu
3. or call us at (217) 333-4361. 

Include the proficiency exam you wish to take in your question.