Adapted Testing Protocols for Students

In This Section

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Testing Center provides testing accommodations for eligible DSPS students in accordance with their approved Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP).

These procedures are designed to ensure that students receive their approved testing accommodations, have equal access to course assessments and maintain the integrity and security of the testing process. When a procedural requirement impacts the implementation of an approved accommodation, the Testing Center will work collaboratively with DSPS, the student and the instructor to determine an appropriate testing arrangement.

To use the Testing Center, students must:

Provide their instructor with their Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP); and
Inform their instructor that they plan to use the Testing Center for their exams.

Students must keep their accommodations up to date. Students whose accommodations have not been updated within the most recent academic year must meet with their DSPS counselor to have their accommodations updated. A one-test grace period will be allowed for students to make an appointment with their counselor; however, if no proof of update or appointment is provided, testing accommodations cannot be provided.

Students should take exams on the same date and at the same time as the rest of the class whenever reasonably possible. Any alternative testing date or time needed to implement approved accommodations, address Testing Center operating hours, or avoid conflicts with other scheduled classes requires instructor approval.

Students are responsible for planning their testing time and arriving early enough to receive their full allotted testing time, including any approved extended-time accommodations.

Students should consider the Testing Center's operating hours when planning when to begin an exam. Exams cannot extend beyond the Testing Center's closing time.
- If Testing Center hours prevent a student from receiving their full allotted testing time, the student is responsible for contacting their instructor in advance to discuss an alternative testing time. Any change to the scheduled exam time requires instructor approval.
Students who arrive late may have reduced testing time. Additional time beyond the student's approved accommodation will not be provided due to late arrival.

READER AND SCRIBE APPOINTMENTS

Appointments for the Testing Center are only required for students needing a reader or scribe for their exams.

These appointments must be made at least one week before the exam so that a proctor can be scheduled to serve as a reader or scribe.
- The Testing Center will make reasonable efforts to accommodate late requests but cannot guarantee availability.
- Students are expected to arrive on time for their appointments. Those who arrive late may forfeit a portion of their approved testing accommodation time.
Students with personal service attendants must use proctors provided by the Testing Center as their readers and scribes.
When reader or scribe services cannot be arranged, alternative technology-based accommodations may be provided.

MUSIC ACCOMMODATION

Students with an approved music accommodation may listen to music on their personal device using wired Bluetooth headphones.

Music must be downloaded to the device prior to beginning the exam.
During testing, the device must remain stored away and set to airplane mode with Wi-Fi turned off.

TESTING MATERIAL

Aside from material directly provided by the instructor, the Testing Center maintains a limited supply of basic testing materials, including but not limited to scratch paper, calculators, dictionaries, rulers and writing utensils.

It is the student's responsibility for bringing any other approved testing materials, including notecards, blue books for essay writing, textbooks and Scantrons.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Students must store all personal belongings and materials not approved for use during the exam, including cell phones and smartwatches, in their backpacks. Backpacks must be placed in a designated cubby or below the student's seat in the testing area.

Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be accessed or used during an exam, including during restroom breaks or when temporarily leaving the Testing Center.
Disability-Related Access to Electronic Devices: Students who need to access a cell phone or other electronic device for an approved disability-related need may do so during a testing break. The device must be accessed in the Testing Center lobby or another designated area where a staff member is present.
- Device use must be limited to the approved disability-related purpose. The device must then be stored before the student resumes the exam.

For additional information about testing, please review the Adapted Testing Guidelines and Procedures.

updated November 4, 2026