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 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.  

Registration for Physics Spring 2024 proficiency exams taking place April 15 through April 18 is now CLOSED

An exam may be taken only once. 

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

Spring 2024 PROFICIENCY EXAM INFORMATION

Exams Held: April 15 - April 18.

Registration Spring 2024: CLOSED

Proficiency Exams are one hour and fifty minutes (1hr 50min) in length, and are held at the Computer Based Testing Facility (CBTF).

Registration Steps Spring 2024:

1. Proficiency exams for the Spring 2024 semester will be held April 15 - April 18.
2. 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.
3. You will need to go to PrairieTest and make a reservation with the CBTF. 
   1. You will need to be granted access to PrairieTest to make a reservation with the CBTF.
   2. Please wait for 2 business days to be added to the PrairieTest reservation system. 
4. You can reserve any open exam time during the exam dates in PrairieTest.

Courses Available:  The Department of Physics will be offering proficiency exams for the following courses during the Spring 2024 semester:

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

Results: Proficiency results will be made available to students and sent to students' colleges no later than two weeks after the exams are complete.

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.