Grading, Examinations, and Proctors
Grading
Grades are assigned by letter symbols and may also include plus and minus signs:
A+ A A– B+ B B– C+ C C– D+ D D– F
Your final grade is determined by the instructor, adhering to the policies and standards of the sponsoring academic department. Examination grades tend to weigh heavily in the final course grade. In almost all cases, you must pass all proctored examinations or final paper to receive credit for an ICON self-paced course.
Prior to completion of one-half of the lesson assignments in your course, you can elect the Credit/No Credit option. In this option, a grade of C– or better is required for credit. To complete a course on the Credit/No Credit option, you must receive approval from your college and from Illinois Courses Online. If you change your mind and wish to return to a letter grade, you must receive approval again and file an amended request form prior to taking the final examination for your course.
Examinations and Proctors
Most ICON self-paced courses include examinations that must be taken under the supervision of proctors approved by our office. Examinations can be administered on campus in Urbana-Champaign, at the U of I Chicago campus, or off-campus in your local area. It is your responsibility to arrange for an approved proctor to supervise any off-campus examinations. Please allow at least 2 weeks for course work to be graded when scheduling your exam. All previous course work and exams need to be graded before you will be allowed to take the next exam. If taking the exam in the ICON testing center, you must allow our office at least 24 working hours notice. Exams may be print-based or online, depending upon the course.
Guidelines for selecting proctors are listed in your online or print-based course materials. Approved proctored examination locations and/or proctors include the following:
- ICON Office at U of I
- University of Illinois Testing Offices (at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago)
- Superintendent, principal, or guidance counselor of an education service region, school, or district, either public or parochial
- Head librarian of a major academic or public library
- Dean, academic department head, professor, extension or correspondence administrator, registrar, or official testing service of an accredited university or college
- Education officer (Armed Service personnel only)
- Corporate education director
Proctors for high school students may be the high school principal, full-time teacher, librarian, or guidance counselor. Students living outside the United States may select a proctor whose position is equivalent to one of those listed above or an administrative official of a U.S. embassy or consulate. Proctors cannot be related to the student.
To arrange a proctor
For Online courses, go to your course Web site under “Important Documents” and fill out the form.
