Testing Center Student Guide

In order to successfully provide equitable access for all, the Testing Center does have certain procedures and rules to help facilitate a seamless and less stressful testing environment. We encourage you to review the information provided here, in order to be more knowledgeable and comfortable with the Testing Center’s practices.

Contents

Scheduling Deadlines

We highly recommend taking the time to review all of your courses’ syllabi first and foremost. There are 3 simple steps to getting ready to use the testing center. Once you have…

  • Set your schedule…
  • Met with your instructors to discuss your accommodation options (note: some instructors can provide accommodations and therefore render the need for the testing center unnecessary) and…
  • Verified that you will need access to the testing center…

then all of your exams need to be scheduled. Typically, scheduling is accomplished in the first week of semester, which provides you with two major benefits: Availability of the testing center and Peace of mind!

Important Notes for Final Exams

    To accommodate the number of exams administered during finals, the testing center operates under block times. These times are 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

  • Please schedule all your exams now so that you don’t miss the scheduling deadline and risk taking an exam without accommodations.
  • When scheduling your final exams, select the time block that overlaps your class.
  • When scheduling at a different time than your class, you must obtain prior approval from your instructor. Ensure that you have CC’d [email protected] when obtaining permission.

    • Deadlines

    • You will need to have your exams scheduled 5 business days (1 week) before the first exam date for fall & spring semester. The deadline for final exams is 14 business days (3 weeks) before finals begin.
      • During summer terms, when the volume of exams is lower, the deadline for scheduling exams is 2 business days. and 1 week for finals/end of semester exams.
      • See Important Dates & Deadlines for specific semester deadlines.
    • You will need to schedule exams at the same time/date as the rest of the class.  When scheduling at a different time than the class, you will need to obtain prior approval from their instructor.
    • Any changes to scheduled exams (dates/times) can be submitted through your student portal and will need to be completed at least 5 business days (1 week) before the new date of the exam.
    • If you miss a deadline, and the course instructor is unable to accommodate your needs, you may have to take the exam without accommodations. Exceptions to testing center deadlines may be approved on a case by case basis.

    Things to Remember…

    • You should schedule exams with the testing center ONLY if your exam requires a proctor AND your professor is unable to provide the necessary exam accommodations.
    • You will only be able to schedule exams with the testing center in a manner that is consistent with the course requirements; meaning the criteria has to match the same guidelines as your peers. Special requests are subject to approval by the instructor and cannot be granted by the testing center.

    Faculty Notification Letter

    A Faculty Notification Letter (FNL) needs to be requested through the AIM Student Portal every semester you want to receive accommodations and before you are able to schedule exams.

    • Faculty will complete the Testing Agreement that is included within the FNL email they receive.
    • After both of these steps are completed, the testing center will be able to approve the exam request.

    To Request a FNL in the AIM Student Portal:

    • Click My Dashboard from the homepage
    • On the Overview page of My Dashboard select all classes you wish to send letters for by checking the boxes
    • Click Step 2 – Continue to Customize Your Accommodations.
    • Ensure all accommodations you want to use for the specific class are selected
    • Click Submit Your Accommodation Request.
    • To confirm that your letters have been sent, go back to your Homepage (Dashboard)
    • Next to each class you will see Requested which confirms your accommodation letters have been sent to faculty.
    • You will also receive a confirmation email for request.

    Exam Scheduling

    Exam requests must be submitted in advance with at least 5 business days (1 week) for exams and 14 business days (3 weeks) for finals.

    1. Login to the AIM Student Portal with your NetID and password
    2. Under My Accommodations, select Accessible Testing
    3. Select Class from the list
      • If you do not see your course(s) listed, check back at a later date. It can take up to 48 hours for your course schedule to update in AIM after completing an add/drop.
    4. Click on Schedule An Exam
    5. Complete the Exam Detail information
      • Choose Request Type (Exam, Final, Quiz, etc.)
      • Enter the Date the class is taking the exam using the format MM/DD/YYYY
      • The Time section has two drop down boxes, select one for the hour and one for the minute.
      • Under Services Requested, carefully select the accommodations you will need for this exam
      • Under Required Technology, make selections that apply to all students in the class
      • Under Additional Note, add any message you wish to convey to the testing staff, such as open book, open note (set by faculty), etc.
      • When you have completed the Exam Details, click Add Exam Request
    6. To double-check the exam details, go to My Accommodations then Accessible Testing
      • If the Status is Processing, it has not been approved yet.
      • If the Status is Approved, the testing center reviewed your request and approved it.
    7. When attempting to schedule an exam request that is not within the scheduling deadline, the system automatically prompts the student to complete a late exam request.
      • A reason must be submitted before the late request can be submitted.

    Modifying an Exam Request

    • You can reschedule or cancel an exam request, but ONLY if the request has already been approved.
    • You can make modifications, but they have to be made in advance, with at least a 5 business day notices (1 week) for exams and a 14 business days (3 weeks) notice for finals.
      • During summer terms, when the volume of exams is lower, the deadline for scheduling exams is 2 business days. and 5 business days (1 week) for finals/end of semester exams.
      • See Important Dates & Deadlines for specific semester deadlines.
    • Whenever you modify an exam request, the status of that exam request is changed to Pending and will need to be approved by a testing center staff member.
    • To Modify an Exam Request:
      • Navigate to Accessible Testing under My Accommodations on the left side of the screen. All upcoming exam requests will be shown at the top of the page
      • Locate the test you want to make changes to and select Modify Request
      • If you choose to modify your test request, it will bring you back to the exam request page where you can adjust any or all of the original options.
      • Once all changes have been made press Update Exam Request. You will be able to view the changes on the main Accessible Testing page.

    Cancelling an Exam Request

    To cancel an exam request:

    • Navigate to Accessible Testing under My Accommodations on the left side of the screen
    • All upcoming exam requests will be shown at the top of the page
    • Locate the test you want to make changes to and select Cancel Request
      • You will be presented with an important notice to read
    • Click confirm cancellation

    Make Up Exam Scheduling

    • You are responsible for scheduling make up exams according to the instructor’s make up policy and the TAMU Student Rules http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule07.
    • The process to schedule a make up exam follows the same process as scheduling a regular exam and includes the following steps:
      • Under My Accommodations, select Accessible Testing
      • Beside Select Class, click on the down arrow and choose the correct course.
      • Make sure to select “Makeup Exam” on the drop down menu when filling out the request.
    • Click on Schedule An Exam

    AIM Mailbox

    • The mailbox in the AIM student portal serves as a record of all email interactions sent to you by the Disability Resources.
    • You may only view emails in the mailbox but cannot reply through the portal.

    Test Day Information

    Arriving at the Testing Center and Study Areas

    • The Testing Center is located at the Student Services Building Suite 111.
    • Arrive on time. Check-in for your exam up to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time.
    • If you arrive early for your exam, please remain out in the main lobby where you may use the tables or the SSB Student Room 109.
    • During busy testing days and finals, the TC is not able to accommodate all exams in our testing rooms and will use various locations. Impacted students will be notified before each exam or final.

    Items Not Allowed in the Testing Rooms

    • Calculator lids
    • Food or drink with the exception of water in a see-through container
    • Hats, backpacks, or bags
    • Cell phones, smart watches, tablets, or other electronic devices
    • Items that are not essential for completing the exam
    • Clear bags only for pencils or medical devices

    Checking In

    • Store non-essential items in the Testing Center lockers. Consider leaving valuable items at home.  Pack light on test day to ensure your belongings will fit in the lockers.
    • Store cell phones and smart watches in lockers. Turn all sounds off.
    • Supply your own materials. This includes scantrons, calculators, pencils, etc.
    • Start your exam on time. Students who arrive late may be instructed to take the exam in the classroom or to reschedule the exam with the instructor.
    • Present your valid photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, student ID) when you check-in.
    • You will be assigned to a testing room and seat.

    During your Test

    • If you need to leave the testing room for any reason, please check in with the TC staff.
    • Ask the check-in staff when you are concerned with an exam question, instructions, or testing environment.
    • You must consult with the check in staff immediately if you need to stop the exam. Once your testing time begins, it will not be stopped unless there are extenuating circumstances.
    • Complete your exams during your approved testing time, including filling out your scantron.
    • Return all exam pages and scratch paper to the check-in staff. Students will not be allowed to keep testing materials without written instructions from the course instructor.

    Location & Hours of Operation

    The Disability Resources Testing Center is located in Suite 111 of the Student Services Building.

    Fall/Spring

    Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
    Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Finals: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

    Summer

    Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Finals: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

    Contact Information

    [email protected]
    979-862-4570 for Scheduling Questions
    979-458-1102 for Check-In Desk/Proctoring
    979-458-2861 for Testing Center Program Coordinator
    Student Services Building, Suite 111

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