There are three main types of exams that you may encounter in your courses: Synchronous timed exams, flexibly timed exams, and take home/open book exams. For information on where to find your exams in Brightspace, check out How do I access my exams?
Synchronous Timed
This exam has a defined start and end time with an enforced time limit. All students write the exam at the same time. For example, the exam is written as a Quiz in Brightspace starting at 7:00pm on December 16 and ending at 10:00pm. If these parameters fit your exam, it is a timed exam. Your exam will most likely use the Quiz tool in Brightspace.
Flexibly Timed
This exam has a defined duration, but students can begin writing any time before the deadline listed in the final exam schedule. For example, the exam is available as a Quiz in Brightspace starting December 7 and a student can begin the exam any time before 10:00pm on December 16. Once a student begins the exam, they have two hours to finish. If this sounds like your exam, it is a flexibly timed exam. Your exam will most likely use the Quiz tool in Brightspace.
Open Book
There are two types of open book exams: same-day open book exams and multi-day open book exams (please note: in some cases, timed exams may also be ‘open book’ – be sure to ask your instructor what materials are allowed during your exam.
- Same-day Open Book Exams. This exam is released and due on the same day. It does not have a set duration, though one may be recommended. For example, students may be required to download a document from Brightspace in the morning and submit responses as an assignment later that day. If this sounds like your exam, it is a same-day open book exam. Your exam will most likely require you to submit a document as an assignment in Brightspace.
- Multi-day Open Book Exams. This exam does not have a set duration, though one may be recommended. Students will have multiple days to write the exam. For example, the exam document becomes available on December 7 and students must submit their responses by December 11. If this sounds like your exam, it is a multi-day open book exam. Your exam will most likely require you to submit a document as an Assignment in Brightspace.
