Cornell University Uses Integer Programming to Optimize Final Exam Scheduling

Tinghan Ye (), Adam S. Jovine (), Willem van Osselaer (), Qihan Zhu () and David B. Shmoys ()
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Tinghan Ye: H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332; and School of Operations Research and Information Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
Adam S. Jovine: School of Operations Research and Information Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
Willem van Osselaer: School of Operations Research and Information Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853; and Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
Qihan Zhu: School of Operations Research and Information Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
David B. Shmoys: School of Operations Research and Information Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

Interfaces, 2026, vol. 56, issue 2, 159-177

Abstract: This paper presents an integer programming–based optimization framework designed to effectively address the complex final exam scheduling challenges encountered at Cornell University. With high flexibility, the framework is specifically tailored to accommodate a variety of different constraints, including the front-loading of large courses and the exclusion of specific time slots during the exam period. By generating multiple scheduling model variants and incorporating heuristic approaches, our framework enables comprehensive comparisons of different schedules. This empowers the university registrar to make informed decisions, considering trade-offs in terms of schedule comfort measured by different levels of exam conflicts. Our results demonstrate significant advantage over the historical lecture time–based approach, providing time and effort savings for the university administration while enhancing student and faculty satisfaction.

Keywords: scheduling; integer programming; optimization; education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:orinte:v:56:y:2026:i:2:p:159-177

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