Exams

**Location Change**  IDL exam room now located in 20 Classroom Office Building on the St Paul campus.  For a map click here.

Many IDL courses include one or more proctored exams. All work assigned prior to an exam must be submitted before you take that exam. Make an appointment only after those assignments are returned to you so you can review your instructor's comments and suggestions before taking the exam.  Consult your course site or study guide for any special restrictions on exams.

Whether you take your exam at a University of Minnesota campus or at an off-site location, make sure you do these things to prepare:

  • Consult your course site or study guide for any special conditions such as time limit, closed/open book, calculators allowed, etc.
  • Bring picture identification with you to the exam appointment.
  • Bring a submission form, fill in the submission number and which exam, and attach the form to your completed exam.  Click on the forms link on the left side of this page to find a printable submission form.

Taking Your Exam at Independent and Distance Learning on the St. Paul Campus

Independent and Distance Learning
20 Classroom Office Building
1994 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN  55108
612-624-4000 or 800-234-6564

If you are in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area you are encouraged to take exams at the Independent and Distance Learning exam room in Classroom Office Building, St. Paul campus. There is no charge for this service. You will need to schedule an exam appointment for a specific day and time, two or more days in advance. 

On the day of the exam appointment, arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time for check-in and seating. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your exam appointment, you will need to reschedule.

Classroom Office Building Exam Schedule through May 16, 2008

Mondays 6:00--9:00 p.m. (twice per month)
Tuesdays 1:00--4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 1:00--4:00 p.m.
Thursdays 9:00 a.m.--12:00 noon, 1:00--4:00 p.m.
Fridays 9:00 a.m.--12:00 noon, 1:00--4:00 p.m.

Evening appointments are available on:
Mondays: Jan 14 & 28, Feb 11 & 25, Mar 10 & 24, Apr 14 & 28, May 12

For more details or to make an appointment, contact the College of Continuing Education Information Center: 612-624-4000 or 1-800-234-6564.

Taking Your Exam at Other Locations

Proctored exams may be taken at the following offices or under the supervision of the following individuals.  You may be charged a fee if you take exams at other institutions or campus locations. Any proctor fees are the student's responsibility. 

  1. Campus offices (by appointment only):
    Crookston: 218-281-8341
    Duluth: U of M students taking exams for U of M courses, 218-726-8101.  Students taking exams from other institutions, 218-726-8966
    Minneapolis: Counseling and Consulting Services, 612-624-3323
    Morris: 320-589-6450 or 1-800-842-0030
    Rochester: 507-280-2832 or 1-800-947-0117
    St Paul: Independent and Distance Learning office, 612-624-4000 or 1-800-234-6564
  2. The Independent Study/Distance Learning department of any member institution of the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA).
  3. Any test center of a member of the National College Testing Association. Search for an NCTA test center online.
  4. A school superintendent, principal, or counselor; a faculty member (excluding teaching assistants), or administrator of an accredited university or college; a head librarian.
  5. A commissioned officer whose rank is higher than your own or a non-commissioned officer E-8 or above.  Provide proctor's rank, title, and unit. (for students in the military only).
  6. A corporate education director or human resources director.

Contact the individual who will proctor your exam before sending the exam scheduling form to IDL. In choosing a date for your exam, be sure to allow 1-2 weeks for the delivery of your exam to the proctor.  Once you have arranged for a proctor fill out the Request for Off-Campus Exam form found in your course site or study guide or here on the IDL website.  Exams are mailed directly to the proctor at his or her business location and must be taken within 30 days.

NOTE: Independent and Distance Learning reserves the right to reject any proctor. No relative, work supervisor, roommate, or immediate employer--regardless of academic qualifications--may proctor an examination.

Graded exams will not be returned to the student.  You will only receive the submission form and your exam score. The graded exam is kept on file for 12 months. To review a graded exam, call the College of Continuing Education Information Center and make an appointment at least one day in advance (612-624-4000 or 1-800-234-6564). If you live outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, contact the same number to discuss arrangements to review your exam at a new appointment with your exam proctor. Please allow 1-2 weeks for this option.