Building Better Exams

Fall 2026 Short Course

If you’ve ever had a student ask, “Will this be on the test?”, then you know that exams have a direct impact on how students choose to engage with course content and the value they place on what they’re learning.

How can we ensure that exams communicate to students what matters most in the course while also measuring meaningful learning?

This short course is designed to help instructors develop intentional, fair, and rigorous assessments aligned with the learning objectives for the course. In this three session series you will work alongside other UIC instructors to evaluate, design, and refine your exams. You will analyze existing assessment data to identify areas for improvement, align exam questions with learning objectives using clear frameworks, and practice writing strong, effective questions that assess higher ordered thinking.

In completing this series you will leave with a new or revised exam, a reflection to include in your teaching statement, and practical tools and strategies to immediately apply in your teaching.

Participants are encouraged to bring existing exam questions or anonymized student data to support meaningful participation.

 

an instructor

 

The series emphasizes active participation through breakout rooms and small-group activities, where you will examine sample materials, critique exam questions, and provide and receive feedback on your own assessments. Because sessions include hands-on activities, a stable internet connection and a distraction free environment are recommended.

Short Course Objectives

After participating in this short course, you will be able to:

  • Use exam analysis strategies to improve assessment quality.
  • Build exams that align with learning outcomes and measure meaningful learning.
  • Create clear, rigorous, and unbiased questions that accurately assess learning.

 

Meetings

  • Thursday, October 29th, 3:00pm – 4:00pm on Zoom
  • Thursday, November 5th, 3:00pm – 4:00pm on Zoom
  • Thursday, November 12th, 3:00pm – 4:00pm on Zoom

Certificate of Completion

To earn the certificate of completion for this course, you will need to:

  • Prepare: Complete the pre-course questionnaire by 11:59 PM, Day 1 [approximately 10 minutes]
  • Attend: Participate in each scheduled session.
  • Apply: Submit a new or revised version of an exam that includes a brief reflective statement by December 4, 2026.

Questions?

CONTACT MARGARET GONZALEZ