Alternative Testing

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Last Updated: Oct 30, 2024, 05:50 PM

Policies

  • Exams/quizzes must be scheduled at least 48 hours (2 business days) in advance.
  • Midterm exams must be scheduled at least (3) business days in advance.
  • Final exams must be scheduled at least (5) business days in advance.
  • Exam requests are not accepted after business hours via phone message
  • Exam requests are not accepted on the day of the exam, nor the day before.
  • Exam requests submitted after the corresponding deadline may not be approved.
  • OAA advises you to schedule all upcoming exams for the semester in advance.

Student Scheduling Guidelines

  • Tests must be scheduled online through the OAA student portal. If you are having issues scheduling an exam, please contact us either in person, email, or by phone.
  • To schedule the exam please log in to the OAA student portal with your Dawgtag and password, select your course name and section from the drop-down menu and select the date and time range reflecting the same day and time as when the course is taught.
  • You must submit exam requests for the same day and time as the class normally meets. It is your responsibility to receive prior approval from their instructor if scheduling to take an exam at an alternate day or time. If you need to schedule an exam at an earlier or later time to accommodate extended time, please obtain and forward prior permission in writing from your instructor to our office.
  • All tests scheduled online through the OAA Student Portal will be followed by an automated e-mail confirmation as proof of scheduling the exam. These confirmations will only be sent to your SIU email address. The confirmation is also be sent to your instructor.
  • The scheduling guidelines will be strictly enforced. OAA reserves the right to operate alternate testing accommodations in a proper and efficient manner to meet the demand for all testers.

Important Information

Exam Day Expectations

  • Please be sure to bring a valid photo ID, preferably your Saluki I.D.
  • Arrive on time for your scheduled exam. Plan ahead for traffic, weather, etc. If you arrive late, you must complete the exam in the time allotted-no additional time will be allowed. Late arrivals may also forfeit their seat and/or be required to reschedule their test—especially during high volume testing periods.
  • If you are over fifteen (15) minutes late, we will seal your exam and notify your professor. You will be responsible for contacting your professor and requesting the opportunity to make up the exam.
  • Only authorized testing material will be permitted in the OAA testing room.
  • Items not required for your exam or approved via accommodations are not permitted in the testing room. These items include, but are not limited to, cell phones, electronic devices, fitness trackers, headwear (except for medical or religious purposes), lanyards, clip-on ID/badges, sunglasses, Bluetooth headphones, smart watches. Students taking an exam may bring only approved items for testing as designated by their instructor (i.e. note cards, calculators, etc.). You may bring your own pencils, but pencil cases are not permitted. If you forget a writing utensil, OAA will provide one.
  • All cell phones and electronic devices brought to the OAA office must be turned off and/or turned on vibrate/silent. They need to be stored in the provided secure locker prior to testing, unless otherwise established through approved accommodation.
  • Only students taking tests are permitted in the OAA Testing Center area. Please make prior arrangements for childcare, as children are not permitted in the testing area. In addition, no pets, family, or friends may accompany you in the testing area. Public Safety will be notified in the event of unattended children.
  • You will be assigned a designated seat in the testing area and must remain there for the duration of the test unless taking an approved break.
  • No food, candy, cough drops, gum, or drinks are permitted in the OAA Testing Center area unless otherwise stated in your accommodations.
  • Students may borrow a calculator from us for their exam if permitted by instructor. When student calculators are permitted by the instructor for a specific class, NO calculator accessories are allowed in the testing area, including calculator lids, cases, docking stations, etc.
  • For exams with a time limit, OAA staff will track your progress via a timer, but clocks are available to view in the testing space.

Exam Security and Academic Conduct

  • The OAA Testing Center has a zero-tolerance policy on cheating. At any appearance of cheating, your exam will be collected, and your professor will be notified immediately. Your professor, not OAA, will follow the guidelines set forth by Southern Illinois University's Academic Misconduct Policy. The use of your cell phone or smartwatch during an exam will be considered cheating and will result in your professor being notified.
  • You are expected to test independently. You may not look at another examinee’s computer screen, paper test, scratch paper, etc. or receive assistance from another examinee.
  • Any non-permanent writing found on a student’s body while testing warrants the immediate termination of their exam. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Tampering with the operation of a Testing Center computer or attempting to use it for any function other than taking your test will be reported to your instructor and/or administration.
  • The OAA Testing Center is equipped with cameras and surveillance devices. The testing area is under continuous observation by proctors.
  • Software is installed on all computers to monitor and record your activity.
  • After you begin a test, you must complete it in one sitting unless pre-authorized by your instructor. If you leave the testing room during a test for any unauthorized reason, your instructor will be notified.
  • Unauthorized restroom breaks are not allowed. Restroom needs are addressed at the discretion of OAA staff and are otherwise not permitted unless approved via accommodations, or the faculty grants permission. Time is not stopped during a restroom break unless approved as an accommodation.
  • All tests are stopped and/or collected at least 15 minutes before the OAA Testing Center closes. Students should plan ahead so they arrive at the Testing Center in adequate time to complete their test before 4:15 pm.
  • Please complete scantrons/answer sheets during the exam, not after. Upon completion of an exam, all test materials, including scratch paper, must be returned to the OAA staff. Your instructor will be notified if testing material is not returned.
  • The testing coordinator will notify your instructor and/or administration if you try to remove any test materials (including questions and answers) from the testing room.
  • The testing coordinator will notify the instructor and/or administration of any discrepancies during testing. An instructor has the right to reject any test completed by a student who violates the instructor’s directions or the OAA Testing Center guidelines. Students taking any placement or certification testing must adhere to the guidelines or risk an invalid or terminated assessment. Acts of dishonesty may be subject to disciplinary action.
  • The testing coordinator may excuse a test taker, terminate a test, and/or contact campus police if a test taker exhibits behavior that is disruptive, confrontational, unruly, threatening and/or does not comply with the OAA Testing Center guidelines, directives, or SIUC code of Student Rights.

Canceled or missed exams

  • If you need to cancel an exam due to illness, you must reschedule with your professor and notify the OAA office as soon as possible of the cancellation. We will need your professor's email confirmation to verify any rescheduled exam approvals.
  • If you miss an exam that was previously scheduled with our OAA Testing Center, you must contact your professor. It will be at your professor's discretion whether you will be allowed to make up the exam. Once again, we will need your professor's email confirmation to verify any exam changes, as our office is not permitted to approve unauthorized testing dates/times- OAA will not contact your instructor on your behalf. You must discuss request for make-up directly with your instructor. NO EXCEPTIONS.