ENGR 101 | University of Michigan

Assessment Logistics

Fall 2025

This document describes how assessments work in ENGR 101.

Overview of Assessments in ENGR 101

Assessment Goals

Our goal for assessments in ENGR 101 is for you to be able to assess your knowledge level of the course material. Therefore, we are creating assessments that directly mirror the work we have been doing in ENGR 101. 

We will not create purposefully difficult assessments just so we can get an “exam distribution” of grades. We will try very hard to create a good assessment that thoroughly checks your understanding of the course content, especially those topics and skills that are most important for your future engineering careers.

We intend for each assessment to be a good “in the moment” indicator of your ENGR 101 knowledge and skills. We hope that you will take the assessment seriously in that you will prepare for the assessment and put forth good effort in taking the assessment. But we do not recommend that you spend hours and hours preparing for the assessment – that defeats the purpose of having this assessment check your “in the moment” knowledge. Some preparation and organization would be great (see below for some tips), but it is not our goal to have you overly stress about assessments in this course.

Assessment Content and Online Practice Assessment

The material each assessment covers is as follows:

• Assessment 1: content from Homeworks 1-6, Labs 1-3, and high level concepts from Homeworks 7-8 and Project 1.
• Assessment 2: content from Homeworks 1-12, Labs 1-5, Project 1, and high level concepts from Project 2.
• Assessment 3: content from Homework 13-19 and Labs 8-10, and high level concepts from Project 3.
• Assessment 4: content from Homework 13-22 and Labs 8-13, Project 3, and high level concepts from Project 4.

Each assessment has a practice assessment that will be available starting one week prior to the first day of the “open window” for the actual assessment. The practice assessments are available on PrairieLearn and you can take the practice assessment as many times as you want. You can take the practice assessment from wherever you want; you do not need to come to the CBTF to do the practice assessment.

You are able to “grade as you go” for the practice assessment. Please do this to help yourself understand which topics you understand well and which topics you should review prior to taking the actual assessment.

Preparing for the Assessment

We recommend that you prepare for the assessment by getting organized. You have many coding examples from homework, lecture, lab, and the projects. Make sure that you review and fully understand:

• Common patterns we’ve used in homework, lab, and projects. List the pattern, what it does, and at least one example that you’ve used.

• Example functions. List the function, what it does, and at least one example that you’ve used.  

• Examples from homework and lab. List the example how you remember it (e.g. “Finding the minimum value of a vector” or “the one with the people using scooters” ). Explain to yourself in your words what this example does and then include the code for the example.

• Project code. List what you’ve done in the projects and describe it in your own words. 

• Everything on the Assessment Reference Sheet from the practice assessment.

The assessment will follow the same format as the practice assessment, so make sure you have looked at that practice assessment at least one day prior to when you plan to take the assessment.

Assessment Retakes

As previously stated, our goal with assessments in ENGR 101 is for you to check whether you have a solid understanding of the course material. It follows, then, that if you do not have a solid understanding, we want to help get you back on track!

• If you earn < 90% on the assessment, you may retake that assessment for up to 90% of the original points. Here are the steps to retaking an assessment:

  • Come to in-person office hours sometime during the week after the assessment
  • Ask for an assessment consultation
  • A GSI/IA will privately and confidentially go over your assessment answers with you and help you straighten out any misunderstandings and answer any questions that you have about the assessment
  • After your consultation, we will help you find a time to retake the assessment in the CBTF; the retake must be taken during the week after the original assessment.
  • Your final score for the assessment will be whichever is higher: your original score or your retake score

• To answer some anticipated questions about retakes: 

  • If you earn ≥ 90% on the assessment, you are not eligible for a retake. You are still welcome to come to office hours to have a staff member go through your assessment with you.
  • Assessment consultations will only be done at in-person office hours. Consultations will not be done via Zoom, not even “just to see my answers”. 
  • In order to be eligible for an assessment retake, you must have taken the original assessment.

Common Student Concerns About Cheating

• ENGR 101 is not graded on a curve. This reduces the temptation to cheat “because everyone else is going to cheat so I have to as well otherwise I will get a bad grade.”

• A comprehensive reference sheet reduces, or even eliminates entirely, the need to memorize course content; therefore, there is less temptation to cheat by having unauthorized resources.

• This is a timed assessment and the questions are randomized. We expect this combination to make cheating by collaboration much more difficult. 

• This assessment is designed to be finished with time to spare by a student who is well-prepared for the assessment. If you are organized, have reviewed your project code, and have taken the practice assessment to understand how to complete the questions, then you should have plenty of time to complete each question and have time to review your answers.

• The assessment may also include other unspecified countermeasures to make cheating more difficult, or at least incredibly confusing for the would-be cheaters. We wish we could share the details, because they’re entertaining, but that would defeat the point.

Where To Take the Assessments

ENGR 101 assessments are taken in a Computer Based Testing Facility (CBTF) which uses the PrairieTest platform to manage scheduling logistics.

What Is a Computer Based Testing Facility (CBTF)?

A Computer Based Testing Facility (CBTF) is a room with computers for student to take online assessments. The computers are “locked down”, so that you will only be able to access the assessment you are there to take, including any instructor-provided reference sheets. Personal electronics, including but not limited to, phones, watches, eyeglasses, etc. are not allowed except for the initial two-factor authentication to log on to the computer.

To take an assessment in a CBTF, you will first make a reservation for a time that works with your schedule. When you arrive for your reservation, the CBTF staff will check you in, show you where to store your backpack, jacket, etc. and tell you which computer station to go to. You will take the assessment, and when you finish, you will log out, grab your stuff, and continue on with your day!

What is PrairieTest?

Our CBTF uses PrairieTest to handle the scheduling and logistics of assessments for ENGR 101. PrairieTest then links to the assessments on PrairieLearn, so you will be taking assessments using an online platform that you are familiar with.

How to Take an Assessment for ENGR 101

You will take your ENGR 101 assessments in the Duderstadt Center Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF). The following sections describe how to reserve a time to take an assessment and what will happen when you show up to the CBTF to take your assessment.

Signing Up For a Time To Take an Assessment

The assessment dates for the Fall 2025 semester are:

• Assessment 1
  • Reservations open on September 8
  • Assessment takes place September 15 — September 19
• Assessment 2
  • Reservations open on September 22
  • Assessment takes place September 29 — October 3
• Assessment 3
  • Reservations open on October 27
  • Assessment takes place November 3 — November 7
• Assessment 4
  • Reservations open on November 10
  • Assessment takes place November 17 — November 21

Reservations for the CBTF may be made anytime after the reservation period opens up until 15 minutes before any given session. Students tend to change their reservations around a lot, so if you don’t see a time you like right away, check back again later to see which sessions have availability.

Making a Reservation for the CBTF

To make a reservation to take an assessment, go to PrairieTest:

When you go to PrairieTest, you should see a screen that asks you to login:

When you click Login you’ll be taken to a screen where you can scroll down and find University of Michigan:

Note: If you’re already logged in with PrairieLearn, you might be automatically taken past this login screen. That is expected!

The first time you log in to PrairieTest, you’ll see the invitation to join our class:

After you join ENGR 101 for this term, you will see what “exams” you are able to make a reservation for:

PrairieTest calls everything “exams”, whether it’s really an assessment, quiz, homework, whatever.

Click on Make a reservation and PrairieTest will show you which days/times have availability:

Find a day and time that works with your schedule (don’t forget to account for travel time!) and click Reserve this session to make your reservation. You will then see the details of your reservation:

When you go back to the home page of PrairieTest, you will see your assessment reservation:

Make sure to add this time to your calendar!

Changing Your CBTF Reservation

You may make changes to your reservation up until 30 minutes before the start of your exam session in PrairieTest. To change your reservation, click on the original reservation and then click Change or delete this reservation:

Taking the Assessment

This section will walk you through arriving at the CBTF for your assessment and how to actually take the assessment.

Arriving at the CBTF For Your Assessment

The Duderstadt Center CBTF is located in the basement of the Duderstadt Center in Room B474. This is a floor map of the Dude to help you know where to go.

The CBTF staff will start checking your session in 10-15 minutes before the start of your session. Here’s what will happen:

1. Get out your M-Card and join the line to get checked in.
2. When it's your turn to get checked in, a CBTF staff person will ask for your M-Card and check you in on PrairieTest.
3. The CBTF staff person will tell you which computer station you will be at (e.g. Station #4, Station #18) and return your M-Card.
4. You may put away your M-Card.
5. A CBTF staff person will show you the cubbies you can put your backpack, coat, etc.
6. Take out the device you use for two-factor authentication and a pen/pencil and put everything else away in the cubby.
7. Take 1-2 sheets of scratch paper from the CBTF check-in station if you want it.
8. Go to your assigned station.
9. Log in to the CAEN computer at your station.
   • It takes 1-2 minutes for the computer to log you in and start everything up. Use this time to set out your paper and pen/pencil, adjust your chair, and get ready to start the assessment.
10. When the computer is done getting everything ready for you, it will automatically open a page for you to select which type of assessment you are there for:
    
11. You are here for an ENGR 101 assessment, so Click to Begin PrairieLearn Assessment.
12. Log in to PrairieTest using your U-M account.
13. At the top of the page, you will see the assessment you are here to take:
    
14. Click the assessment and you will be taken to your reservation, which you cannot change now that you are checked in:
    

Starting the Assessment

1. When all students are checked in and it is time for the session to start, the CBTF staff will start the exam and you will see your screen change to this:

1. Click Start exam to start your assessment.
2. You will be taken to PrairieLearn and your assessment.
   • During the assessment, you will only be able to access the assessment on PrairieLearn. You will not be able to access any of your other assignments on PrairieLearn.
3. Sign an abbreviated version of the CoE honor code at the beginning of the assessment.

Completing the Assessment

1. Once you start the assessment, you have 50 minutes to complete it. The PrairieLearn system will keep time for you. (If you have extended time accommodations through the SSD office, your allowed time will be adjusted accordingly.)
   • PrairieLearn will give you a message at the bottom of the screen when your time is almost up. Close this message to finish saving your answers for that question.
2. Complete the assessment.
   • You may answer the questions in any order.
   • Remember to click Save to save your answers for each question.
3. Check the Assessment Overview page to make sure you have a saved answer for each question.
4. When you are done, you can click “Finish assessment” to close out your assessment session. If you forget to do this, PrairieLearn will automatically close your assessment when the timer runs out.

Ending Your CBTF Session

After you have finished your assessment, you can leave the CBTF. To end your session at the CBTF:

1. Log out of PrairieLearn.
2. Log out of your computer.
3. Take your electronic device from the bin on the table and gather your pen/pencil and scratch paper.
4. Put unused scratch paper back in the scratch paper bin. Put used scratch paper in the recycling bin by the check-in station. Scratch paper is not allowed to leave the CBTF.
5. Pick up all your personal stuff from the cubbies.
6. Double check that you have everything!
7. Leave the CBTF.

You do not have to wait for all students to finish their assessment, but please leave quietly so you cause the least amount of distraction possible for your fellow students.

Video Walkthrough of the Assessment Process at the CBTF

It seems like a lot of steps when we write everything out! But we promise that it’s really not that complicated to take an assessment in the CBTF. Watch the video below to see how it goes!

CBTF Policies for ENGR 101 Assessments

This section includes a quick overview of CBTF policies that apply to ENGR 101 assessments.

Asking Questions During the Assessment

The CBTF staff are not able to answer questions about what is on the assessment. You may ask them for help with things like logging in to the computer, making sure you’ve clicked on the right thing to start the assessment, etc.

We have thoroughly tested all of the assessment questions, and we are confident that the questions are working the way they are supposed to. Please make sure you understand the practice assessment questions prior to taking the actual assessment, as this will help you to be well-prepared for the assessment.

Allowed Resources & Cheating

You are not allowed to bring your own notes for the assessment, but there will be a comprehensive reference sheet available with the assessment. The same reference sheet is available with the practice assessment so you can see exactly what will be on it.

You will be given scratch paper so that you can draw/sketch out anything that helps you answer the questions on the assessment.

Collaboration with others in any form is prohibited and considered an honor code violation.

Assessment Accommodations

If you have accommodations through the SSD office, those accommodations should be in place for you in the CBTF. The most common accommodations we see are for extra time and a reduced distraction room. If you have one of these types of accommodations, they will show up in PrairieTest.

When you go to pick a time for your reservation, you will be able to confirm that your extra time and/or reduced distraction accommodation is in place:

After you select your time, you can click your reservation and verify that the accommodations are in place:

If you have an accommodation for taking a break during assessments, you will be allowed to do so, but you will not be able to talk to anyone or access your personal items during the break. Please keep in mind that no extra time will be provided for breaks.

If you have an accommodation for food, drink, medications, etc., you will be able to place those items at the check-in station. Food and drink are not allowed at your computer station.

If you have any other concerns or questions about your accommodations, please contact the CBTF staff at cbtf-support@umich.edu to discuss how we can best implement your accommodations.

FAQs

Below are frequently asked questions about assessments in ENGR 101. If anything is unclear, please post on Piazza so we can clarify things for you. We want you to be as comfortable and confident as you can be for each assessment.

Is there a reference sheet for the Assessment?

Yes! The reference sheet is linked on the front page of the assessment, just like in the practice assessment:

Click the link and it will open in a new tab:

What happens if I miss my exam? Can I reschedule my time?

If you miss your exam reservation for any reason, you can go to the CBTF and ask for one of the CBTF staff to delete your original reservation. You will need to provide your M-Card as proof of identity. After the CBTF staff have deleted your original reservation, you will be able to reserve a new time just like you did the first time.