Testing Accommodations

Testing Room Policy

It is the students’ responsibility to speak with their professor(s) before each test to arrange their accommodations. It is preferable that faculty provide testing accommodations. However, this may not be possible due to scheduling conflicts, space limitations, and other issues. For these reasons, testing accommodations often involve the assistance of DSS. When this is the case, DSS requires students to provide advance notice (at least one week) to ensure the proper arrangements are made. If the exam is less than one week notice, the student should contact the Disability Support Services as soon as possible to make arrangements. Students provide notice to the DSS by completing the online testing request form found below. All exams are to be taken during (or before) class time unless there are extenuating circumstances and obtain professor approval of alternate date and/or time. Students are expected to adhere to the Rules of the Testing Room. Any violations of these rules will be reported to the professor.

Rules of Testing Room

  1. Students report to the Office of Academic Development main desk, located in the LRN lab (Knight Hall, Rm. 143), on the date and time the exam is to be administered.
  2. Upon arrival to the OAD, students will be asked to place all belongs in the cabinets located in the LRN lab. Cabinets will be locked during testing.
  3. Students are allowed to bring only the materials specified by the professor into the testing room.
  4. Students may only use calculators when specified by professors. Be sure to bring the appropriate calculator. For example, many professors will ban the use of programmable calculators.
  5. Students are not permitted to have cell phones in the testing room. Cell phones must be TURNED OFF and locked in the LRN cabinet with other personal belongings during testing.
  6. Students are expected to up hold Arcadia University’s Code of Academic Responsibility during testing.
  7. Food and drink must be examined by the OAD staff and is not allowed near electronic equipment.
  8. OAD staff will monitor student activity at variable intervals during the test administration.

Violations of the Testing Room Rules

REMEMBER that “cheating during examinations” is a violation of Arcadia University’s Code of Academic Responsibility. This includes “attempting to communicate concerning the content of the exam with another student.” A violation of this code will result in course penalties and additional sanctions will be determined by the college’s Judicial Board. Along with the penalty, a record of the violation is maintained in the student’s file for five years. If a student is suspect of cheating or engaging in suspicious activity by OAD staff, the student will be allowed to complete the exam without interruption. Students found in possession of a cell phone in the testing room will be asked to surrender their cell phone to OAD staff immediately. Upon completion of the exam, the student will be approached by an OAD professional staff member to discuss the incident. A report will be created and sent to the professor. Professors will determine if the student is in violation of the code of academic responsibility and will follow the procedures outlined in the Student Handbook when appropriate.

Testing Requests

Students must submit the online Testing Request Form below. By completing the Testing Request Form, students agree to adhere to the Testing Room Policy.

Testing Request Form

  • For extended time for exams, students may arrange to come to class early or to stay later to finish the exam. Professors may also agree to allow students to take the exam during their office hours.
  • For distraction-reduced testing, students should ask their professors whether they can arrange a time and place to take the exam with a proctor. Arrangements can also be made for students by the Disability Specialist for students to have proctors and take their exams with the DSS.
  • Other test modifications, such as use of a calculator, oral testing/test readers, computer or other equipment, or alterations to the test are determined to be appropriate depending upon a student’s need and the requirements of the course. Alterations to tests are decided on a case-by-case basis.