Semester Exams & Experiences

At the end of each semester, Evanston Township High School students take final exams or complete culminating assessments in their courses. These Semester Exams/Experiences take place during the final week of the semester and reflect learning from both quarters. They are designed to help students reflect on what they’ve learned, demonstrate their growth, and earn credit for completing the course.

Semester Exams/Experiences count for 10% of a student’s final semester grade and must be taken on the dates designated by the district.
Not all classes will give a traditional written exam. Some may involve projects, presentations, or other cumulative work. Teachers will let students know in advance what to expect for each course.
Attendance is required during assigned exam periods.

Fall Exam Week: Semester 1	December 15—19, 2025
Spring Exam Week: Semester 2*	May 18—22, 2026

*Seniors do not take Semester 2 Exams/Experiences.

Note: Extended absences due to medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances must be approved in advance by the Associate Principal for Student Services. See the section below under "Make-Up Exams for Extended Absences" for more information about how to request a make-up exam.

Schedule: Semester 1 Exam/Experiences

	Mon. Dec 15	Tues. Dec 16	Wed. Dec 17	Thurs. Dec 18	Fri. Dec 19
8:00am-8:55am	AM Support	AM Support	AM Support	AM Support	AM Support
9:00am-10:30am	Block 1	Block 2	Block 5	Block 6	Make-up Exams
10:45am-12:15pm	Block 3	Block 4	Block 7	Block 8
12:15pm-12:55pm	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
1:00pm-2:45pm	Same-Day Make-up Exams	Same-Day Make-up Exams	Same-Day Make-up Exams	Same-Day Make-up Exams
3:00pm-4:30pm	Make-up Exams	Make-up Exams	Make-up Exams	Make-up Exams

Important Reminders

Attendance during exam week is required for all students. Students must arrive on time for their exams.
Students may not take final exams before the scheduled exam period.
Missed exams must be made up no later than Friday, December 19, 2025.
For required medical absences during exam week, students must receive approval from the Associate Principal for Student Services. Learn more in the section below titled "Make-Up Exams for Extended Absences."
Students without a documented medical absence will not be permitted to make-up exams after December 19, 2025.

If a Student Misses an Exam

Students are required to attend all scheduled exams. If a student is absent, a parent/guardian should follow normal absence reporting procedures.

Same-Day Make-Up

Students who are able to make-up an exam the same day it was missed should do so in their teacher's classroom from 1:00pm to 2:45pm. Students must arrive on time.

Make-Up in the Testing Center

If a student cannot take the make-up exam on the same day, they must contact their teacher and make arrangements for a make-up exam in the Testing Center by December 19.

Make-up exams cannot be taken after December 19 without a documented medical reason. Students who do not complete the exam by the deadline without a medical excuse will receive a 0, which counts as 10% of the course grade.

Exam Day Expectations

What to Bring

Make sure you come prepared. Here’s what you’ll need each day during semester exams:

Fully charged Chromebook
Pens and/or sharpened pencils
Calculator (if permitted)
Any materials your teacher said you are allowed to use (e.g., notes, formula sheets, books)
Other materials your teacher specifically asked you to bring for the exam or experience
Study materials or a book (in case you finish early)
ETHS student ID (digital or physical)

Arrive on Time

During the Exam

Please review the important guidelines and expectations for exam day:

Exams are 90 minutes long and must be taken during the scheduled time.
Students must arrive before the exam block begins. Late arrivals may not be permitted to enter the room or take the exam, and missed exams without an approved medical excuse will result in a zero.
Follow all instructions provided by your teacher or proctor. If you're unsure about anything, raise your hand and ask.
Students must remain in the classroom for the full block—even if you finish early. Bring quiet study materials or something to read.
Silence must be maintained in all classrooms and hallways during exams. Hallway access may be limited to respect others who are testing.
Phones must be stored in the classroom storage units for the duration of the exam. Unauthorized devices may not be used during exams.
Academic integrity is required. Cheating, plagiarism, or sharing information during or after the exam will result in a zero and possible disciplinary action.
Restroom use is limited. You are expected to remain in the classroom for the entire exam block unless there is an emergency.

Accommodations

Unscheduled Blocks

Students who have an unscheduled block or advisory, study hall, or support course during an exam period have two options:

Leave Campus
If you’ve finished testing for the day, you may choose to go home.
Study in a Designated Study Space
If you’d prefer to stay on campus, quiet study spaces are available, including the Academic Study Center, South Technology Center, East Library, and Central Library.

This applies to students with a free block (no scheduled class) as well as those enrolled in FASH, SASH, Reading, Learning Strategies, Geometry with Support, AVID, and E/LEAD.

To keep the environment quiet, focused, and respectful, walking through the hallways during exam periods is not permitted.

Unexpected Illness

Breakfast, Lunch, & Snacks

Breakfast

Served daily in the South Cafe from 7:30am–8:55am.

Snacks

Nutritious snacks are available free of charge on exam days during the morning passing period (10:30am–10:40am) in H-Hall on all three floors, provided by Nutrition Services. Options may vary.

Free Grab-n-Go Lunch

A free grab-n-go lunch will be provided to all students at Entrances 1 and 2 as they leave campus for the day.

For students staying on campus for afternoon classes, extended time, or make-up exams, a Grab-n-Go lunch will be available for pick-up. Students may also choose to bring their own lunch. Students can:

Go to the North or South Cafeterias for the duration of the lunch period.
Visit the Academic Study Center or The Hub during lunch. Students may bring their lunch to these spaces.
Visit the Central Library, East Library, or South Technology Center. No food permitted in these areas.

Make-Up Exams for Extended Absences

Students who have an extended absence due to a medical reason or extenuating circumstances must provide documentation. To request make-up exams for an extended absence, a student or parent/guardian must:

Email semesterexams@eths202.org explaining the reason for the extended absence.
Provide documentation supporting the absence.
Wait for approval and instructions for next steps, which will be sent via ETHS email.

If approved, a make-up exam(s) will be scheduled. Make-up exams must be taken in person at the Testing Center.

Note: Students are not permitted to take exams early. ETHS does not reschedule exams for travel, family events, or other non-medical reasons. As a reminder, students who miss an exam without approved documentation will receive a zero, which counts for 10% of the semester grade.

Contact Information

Office of Curriculum & Instruction
H100

Phone: (847)424-7710
Email: semesterexams@eths202.org

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