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Examinations

Most independent study courses require a midterm and a final examination. Each course states the number of exams required for the course, the maximum time allowed for each exam, and other important information regarding the exams.

Proctored examinations are a vital part of most independent study courses. These exams are generally closed-book and therefore a good measure of student achievement. You cannot pass a course without passing the examinations, regardless of your grades for other parts of the course. The course grading scale provides the minimum number of exam points you must earn in order to pass the course.

You will not be allowed to use notes, textbooks, or other study aids when taking an exam unless otherwise indicated in your course. Each course also includes instructions about examination procedures, supervisors, schedules, and locations. Note: Most courses for grades 3-6 do not include exams.

The Center has set the following general policies relating to examinations:

  1. Examinations must be taken in sequence, and there must be at least a one-week interval between each exam in a course.
  2. All progress evaluations preceding an exam must be received by the Center before the exam can be mailed to an exam proctor or taken at the Center. If the progress evaluation preceding an exam is computer-evaluated, it must be received by the Center and returned to you before you may take the exam. If the progress evaluation preceding an exam is instructor-evaluated, you are required to wait either for your score or for five working days after the progress evaluation was received by the Center before you may take the exam. All progress evaluations must be submitted in sequential order. All lessons preceding exams must be returned before exams will be mailed.
  3. It is recommended that you do not submit progress evaluations following a midterm exam until you have received a grade report for that exam.
  4. You may not complete a course in less than six weeks. A minimum of six weeks must elapse between the submission of the first progress evaluation and the scheduling of the final exam.

Scheduling Exams

You may request an exam only after completing all of the lessons preceding that exam. If you live in Columbia or if you wish to take an exam at the Center for Distance and Independent Study, you do not need an appointment if you come during regular office hours. You will, however, need to arrive at least two hours before the Center is scheduled to close.

If you live outside of Columbia, you will need to select one of the other exam sites listed below and contact someone at that location for the name, address, and phone number of a potential proctor in order to schedule your exam at a time that is mutually acceptable to you and the proctor. Any proctor fees incurred are your responsibility.

University

  • The University of Missouri—Center for Distance and Independent Study (Columbia residents must take exams at CDIS);
  • Any university of Missouri Extension Center or Telecommunication Community Resource Center (TCRC) in the state (Missouri residents);
  • Any accredited university, college, or community college testing center — Look for a College Testing Center near you: www.ncta-testing.org/cctc/;
  • The independent study offices of institutions that are members of the University Continuing Education Association;
  • Any public library; or, the library of any accredited university, college, or community college, under the supervision of a certified professional librarian.

High School/Middle School

  • Your school, under the supervision of your principal, counselor, or other approved school administrator;
  • The University of Missouri—Center for Distance and Independent Study;
  • Any university of Missouri Extension Center or Telecommunication Community Resource Center (TCRC) in the state (Missouri residents);
  • Any accredited university, college, or community college testing center (non-Missouri residents) — Look for a College Testing Center near you: www.ncta-testing.org/cctc/;
  • The independent study offices of institutions that are members of the University Continuing Education Association (non-Missouri residents);
  • Any public library; or, the library of any accredited university, college, or community college, under the supervision of a certified professional librarian (non-Missouri residents).

Note: Courses for students in Grades 3-6 do not have proctored exams.

Military personnel and their dependents may use any location listed above, or they may ask a base education or training officer to proctor an exam.

After obtaining the name of the exam proctor and scheduling the exam, you must notify the Center. You may submit your exam request online, by e-mail, by fax, or mail. The Center reserves the right to approve or reject proposed exam proctors. Relatives may not proctor an exam, regardless of their academic qualifications. Exams will be mailed to the proctor's office address. Because the Center does not give your address or phone number to exam proctors, you should provide this information to the proctor if you want that person to notify you when the exam arrives. When you take your exam, be prepared to provide your proctor with picture identification.

Exams in Columbia, Missouri

Students who live in Columbia, Missouri, and are enrolled in university courses must take their exams at the Center for Distance and Independent Study on the University of Missouri campus. No appointment is needed when taking an exam at the Center during regular business hours, but you will not be allowed to take the exam if you arrive with less than the full time allowed for the exam before office hours end. Your course gives the time allowed for completing your exams. The Center's exam room hours are as follows:

  • Fall and winter semesters: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Summer term (usually from early May to mid-August): Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Evening exams at the Center can be scheduled on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (holidays excluded). Appointments are required for evening exams, and they must be scheduled at least one business day in advance.