Testing Accommodations and Testing Center Procedures
Purpose
The ADS Testing Center supports the implementation of approved testing accommodations for students registered with the Office of Access and Disability Services (ADS). The Testing Center is committed to providing a fair, accessible, secure, and distraction-reduced testing environment while maintaining the academic integrity and essential requirements of each course.
Testing Center Hours and Location
The ADS Testing Center is located in the lower level of Doherty Library, Room B010.
Regular Testing Center hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The final testing appointment of the day is administered at 1:00 p.m. to allow sufficient time for students approved for extended testing accommodations.
Contact
Email: testing@stthom.edu
Phone: 713-942-3451
Eligibility for Testing Accommodations
Testing accommodations are available only to students who:
- are registered with the Office of Access and Disability Services; and
- have approved testing accommodations through the ADS accommodation process.
The Testing Center is intended solely for the administration of accommodated testing for eligible students. The Testing Center does not provide general makeup testing or proctoring services for students without approved ADS accommodations.
Scheduling Accommodated Exams
Students are responsible for scheduling their accommodated testing appointments through the AIM Student Portal. Exams must be scheduled at least three (3) business days in advance in order to allow sufficient time for staffing, room assignments, and coordination with faculty members.
Because accommodated testing often requires specialized space, assistive technology, or extended testing time, students are strongly encouraged to schedule all exams at the beginning of the semester whenever testing dates are known in advance.
If a student misses the scheduling deadline, the Testing Center may be unable to guarantee availability of testing space, staffing, or accommodation support for the requested appointment.
Students needing assistance with the AIM Student Portal may contact the Testing Center at testing@stthom.edu, or visit the ADS office in the Crooker Center, room 217, for support.
Standardized Testing Times
To support a reduced-distraction testing environment and minimize interruptions during active testing periods, the Testing Center utilizes standardized testing start times throughout the semester.
During the regular academic semester, exams are administered at the following start times:
- 9:00 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m.
Standardized testing times assist the Testing Center in maintaining appropriate staffing, monitoring, and a quiet testing environment for all students utilizing accommodations.
Final Examination Procedures
Final examinations require additional coordination due to the volume of accommodated testing appointments during final exam periods. Students utilizing testing accommodations are responsible for scheduling final examinations through the AIM Student Portal no fewer than five (5) business days in advance.
During final examination periods, accommodated exams are administered using designated testing blocks established by the Testing Center. Final examination start times are:
- 8:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m.
Because seating and staffing during finals are limited, students are strongly encouraged to schedule final examinations as early as possible after the University final exam schedule is published.
Students who fail to schedule final examinations within the required timeline may experience limited availability and the Testing Center may be unable to guarantee accommodations for late requests.
Faculty Responsibilities
Faculty members are responsible for coordinating accommodated testing through the AIM Instructor Portal.
A. Testing Agreements
At the beginning of each semester, instructors are expected to complete the Testing Agreement in the AIM Instructor Portal to identify:
- exam formats;
- standard testing duration;
- permitted materials; and
- additional testing instructions.
B. Submission of Testing Materials
For each accommodated exam appointment, instructors must submit:
- testing instructions; and
- all testing materials
through the AIM Instructor Portal in advance of the scheduled exam.
Timely submission of materials is necessary to ensure the appropriate administration of accommodations.
Student Conduct and Testing Expectations
Students are expected to comply with all Testing Center expectations and university policies while utilizing accommodated testing services.
A. Arrival and Check-In
Students must:
- arrive approximately 5–10 minutes before the scheduled exam time;
- present a valid student identification card upon check-in; and
- complete all required sign-in procedures before entering the testing room.
Students utilizing computer-based testing may be required to complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) procedures on a university-provided device prior to entering the testing environment.
B. Permitted and Prohibited Items
Only materials authorized by the instructor or approved through accommodations may be brought into the testing room.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
- backpacks;
- purses;
- cell phones;
- smart watches;
- unauthorized electronic devices;
- unauthorized notes or materials;
- food; and
- drinks.
The Testing Center may require students to store personal belongings outside the testing area during the exam.
C. Testing Environment
The Testing Center is intended to maintain a quiet and distraction-reduced environment.
Students may not:
- communicate with other students during testing;
- create disruptions within the testing environment; or
- engage in behavior that interferes with the testing process.
D. Academic Integrity
All university academic integrity policies apply within the Testing Center.
Any suspected violation of academic integrity, including unauthorized materials, communication, or use of technology, may be reported to the instructor and appropriate university officials.
E. Restroom Breaks
Restroom or testing breaks are permitted only when:
- approved as part of a student’s accommodations;
- approved as part of the professor's testing instructions; or
- authorized by Testing Center staff.
Students must notify a proctor before leaving the testing room.
Late Arrivals, Missed Exams, and Cancellations
Students arriving more than fifteen (15) minutes late may forfeit their testing appointment. Rescheduling is subject to instructor approval and Testing Center availability.
If a student is unable to attend a scheduled exam due to illness or emergency, the student should notify both:
- the course instructor; and
- the Testing Center
as soon as possible.
Students who need to cancel or reschedule an exam appointment must do so at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance through the AIM Student Portal whenever possible.
Assistive Technology During Testing
Students approved for assistive technology accommodations may indicate technology needs when scheduling their testing appointments.
Available assistive technology resources in the Testing Center include:
- JAWS screen reader software;
- Microsoft accessibility tools;
- speech-to-text functionality; and
- text-to-speech functionality.
As a Microsoft campus, the University utilizes Microsoft platforms and the Microsoft Edge browser for online testing in the Testing Center.
Students may not use personal devices, software, or unauthorized technology during accommodated testing.
End of Exam Procedures
At the conclusion of the exam, students must return all testing materials, including:
- scratch paper;
- notes authorized for testing;
- answer sheets; and
- any other testing materials provided during the exam.
Students should immediately report any concerns regarding testing conditions or exam administration to Testing Center staff.
Testing Irregularities
The Office of Access and Disability Services and the ADS Testing Center are committed to maintaining the integrity, security, and fairness of the accommodated testing process. A testing irregularity is any circumstance that may disrupt, compromise, interfere with, or otherwise affect the administration of an examination.
Testing irregularities may include, but are not limited to:
- suspected violations of academic integrity;
- unauthorized access to testing materials;
- disruptive behavior within the testing environment;
- use of unauthorized materials or technology;
- failure to follow Testing Center procedures;
- technical difficulties affecting exam administration;
- interruptions during testing;
- emergencies impacting the testing environment; or
- concerns regarding the implementation of approved accommodations.
Students are expected to immediately notify Testing Center staff if they experience concerns related to the testing environment, technology, interruptions, or accommodation implementation during an examination. Concerns reported after the conclusion of the exam may limit the University’s ability to review or address the matter effectively.
When a testing irregularity occurs, Testing Center staff may document the incident and notify the course instructor and appropriate university officials as necessary. Depending on the nature of the concern, the University may review the situation to determine whether additional action, follow-up, or review is appropriate.
In situations involving suspected academic integrity violations, the matter may be referred for review under applicable University academic integrity or student conduct procedures.
The University reserves the right to pause, discontinue, reschedule, or relocate testing appointments when necessary to preserve the integrity, security, safety, or accessibility of the testing environment.