Exams

Both exams are essay exams taken in person at the Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF). There is no exam during class time. Instead, each exam runs over a multi-day window, and you pick your own time slot.

How it works

• When the window opens, reserve a slot in PrairieTest. Book early, because popular times near the end of a window fill up.
• Bring your i-Card and a pen or pencil to the lab you booked, and arrive 10–15 minutes early. The exam opens in PrairieLearn on a lab computer once you are checked in.
• The exam is closed-book. Phones, notes, the internet and AI tools are not allowed. The CBTF gives you scratch paper. See the CBTF rules.
• Each student gets a random draw of questions from a question bank, so neighbors will not see the same exam.
• If you have DRES accommodations, upload your Letter of Accommodation at go.illinois.edu/cbtf-LOA at least 5 business days before the exam.
• If no slot in the window works for you, email me as soon as you know.

What the questions ask Each question asks you to explain an argument or concept from the course readings and then apply it to a specific case: a donor, a recipient country, or a donor–recipient pair. Strong answers:

• answer every part of the question;
• explain the concept accurately and name the readings (by author) it comes from;
• use concrete evidence from a specific case, not just general claims. Your weekly case studies are good preparation for this;
• make an argument and take a position where the question asks for one.

Midterm exam (20%). Exam window: Wed 10/21 – Fri 10/23. It covers Weeks 1–8. The practice midterm circulated on Wednesday of Week 7 shows the style of the questions. We debrief the midterm in Week 10.

Final exam (30%). Exam window: Mon 12/7 – Wed 12/9. Same format as the midterm, with more questions. It covers the whole semester, with more weight on Weeks 9–14.