Testing Center FAQ

The Rawls Testing Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Rawls Testing Center closes promptly at these times, and any incomplete exams will be submitted as-is.

Yes. Operating hours may be modified during final examination periods to accommodate testing needs. Any changes will be communicated in advance.

The Rawls Testing Center is closed during all Texas Tech University campus holidays.

The Rawls Testing Center administers exams for on-campus undergraduate courses only.

No. The Rawls Testing Center is limited to administering exams for on-campus undergraduate courses.

To comply with FERPA requirements, all electronic correspondence with the Rawls Testing Center must be conducted using an official Texas Tech University email address.

For questions regarding the Rawls Testing Center, email rawls.testingcenter@ttu.edu.

Rawls Testing Center student assistants are Texas Tech University graduate students and Rawls College undergraduate students who provide front-desk support for testing operations. Their responsibilities include assisting students with the check-in and check-out process and answering general questions about Testing Center policies and procedures.

Rawls Testing Center proctors are Texas Tech University graduate students responsible for monitoring the testing environment and upholding academic integrity. During exams, proctors circulate throughout the testing room to observe student activity, ensure unauthorized materials are not present, and provide basic assistance with Canvas login issues. They may also support students during their testing session and perform additional duties assigned by Testing Center management.

The Rawls Testing Center is equipped with 88 testing computers and 1 dedicated ADA-compliant workstation to accommodate accessibility needs.

No. Students may not turn off, unplug, move, or otherwise alter testing center computer workstations.

Rawls Testing Center computers are configured with only the software necessary to administer exams. Additional software or applications are not available unless specifically approved and installed for testing purposes.

The Rawls Testing Center supports Canvas, LockDown browser, and Certifport only.

The Rawls Testing Center administers Microsoft Excel certification exams through Certiport, a recognized provider of industry-standard certification testing.

The Rawls Testing Center is not responsible for lost exam data, interrupted testing sessions, or other issues resulting from campus-wide outages, including network, Canvas, or other university system failures.

The Rawls Testing Center has established procedures for managing extended disruptions, including power outages, network or server failures, Canvas outages, building evacuations, and other unforeseen emergencies that impact testing operations.

Faculty are encouraged to include contingency plans in their course syllabi and testing procedures to address unexpected interruptions.

Faculty should consider alternative testing arrangements, such as scheduling makeup exams, providing additional testing time, allowing exam resets or reopens, and implementing other accommodations appropriate for the situation.

Not necessarily. Depending on the nature and duration of the disruption, faculty may be responsible for determining and communicating alternative testing arrangements for affected students.

New exam requests must be submitted by instructors of record through the Rawls Testing Center New Request form available on the RawlsConnect SharePoint site.

Yes. Instructors of record may submit exam requests for all eligible exams within a single academic semester through the request process.

Any changes to a previously submitted exam request must be communicated directly by the instructor of record via email to rawls.testingcenter@ttu.edu.

No. All exam requests and exam-related changes must be submitted by the instructor of record for the course.

An exam window is the period during which students may complete an exam. To accommodate all students and maximize testing capacity, instructors of record should schedule exams using an extended testing window whenever possible.

Exams may only be scheduled during Rawls Testing Center’s operating hours, which are Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Any changes to operating hours or closures will be posted on the testing center’s website.

Exam time limits should not exceed the length of the course's regularly scheduled lecture period, with the exception of accommodations approved through Student Disability Services (SDS).

Makeup exam requests must be submitted by the instructor of record using the Testing Center Makeup Exam Request form available on the RawlsConnect SharePoint site.

No. Makeup exam requests must be submitted by the instructor of record and approved through the established process.

Final exams are scheduled in accordance with Texas Tech University's official final examination schedule and policies.

Test exceptions are granted only in special circumstances that prevent a student from taking an exam during the scheduled testing period.

The instructor of record must provide written documentation explaining the student's circumstances before a test exception will be considered.

A test exception is not approved until the Rawls Testing Center has reviewed and approved the requested date, time, and reason for the exception.

No. Employment or work schedule conflicts are not considered valid reasons for granting a test exception.

Unless specifically authorized by the faculty member, prohibited items include personal calculators (not approved for the exam), oversized outerwear (including jackets and coats), books, notes, study guides, other study materials, and any unauthorized testing aids or materials.

Yes. Materials specifically authorized by the instructor may be brought into the Rawls Testing Center and will be verified by staff during check-in.

Students may only use their phones to complete required two-factor authentication during check-in. After authentication, phones must be silenced and placed in the designated phone storage bag at their testing station.

Students may not possess or use cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds or headphones, fitness trackers, or any other electronic or communication devices during an exam.

Any unauthorized use of a phone or electronic device during an exam will be treated as a potential academic integrity violation and reported to the instructor of record.

Yes. Students are encouraged to arrive early, as seating in the Rawls Testing Center is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Not always. Some exams are only available during specific testing windows and may not be open for the entire day. Arriving early helps ensure you have an opportunity to complete your exam within the designated testing period.

Real-time stats
Digital signage throughout the Rawls College of Business displays the number of available testing seats in real time. Students should check the signage and plan accordingly.

The last available check-in times are Monday–Thursday at 7:15 p.m. and Fridays at 4:15 p.m. Students who arrive after these times will not be permitted to begin an exam.

Students must present a valid ID card to gain entry to the Rawls Testing Center.

During check-in, students will present their approved ID, verify which exam they are taking, present any instructor-approved testing materials, be screened for unauthorized materials or devices, and receive a workstation assignment from Rawls Testing Center staff.

No. Seating assignments are made by Rawls Testing Center staff. Available seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Technical problems that occur during an exam should be immediately reported to a Rawls Testing Center proctor.

Rawls Testing Center staff will work to resolve the issue and provide instructions. Faculty members will be notified of any technical difficulties encountered during testing.

No. Only technical issues reported during the testing session can be addressed by Rawls Testing Center staff.

Students must remain seated once an exam begins unless permission is granted by Rawls Testing Center staff.

If students leave the testing area without authorization, the exam may be terminated, the workstation reset, and the seat reassigned to another student.

Students should return their workstation and testing area to their normal condition before departing.

Before leaving, students must present their valid ID and return all materials, including calculators, notecards, scratch paper, and any other issued testing materials provided by the Rawls Testing Center.

Yes. Students are monitored at all times by Rawls Testing Center staff through both in-person observation and electronic surveillance systems.

All suspected academic integrity violations are documented and investigated.

Documentation may include, but is not limited to, staff observations, security camera recordings, screen captures, digital activity records, and other relevant evidence.

A Rawls Testing Center staff member will provide all supporting documentation to the instructor of record, who will determine any appropriate course-related action in accordance with university policies.

No. The Rawls Testing Center will not hold or store personal belongings for any reason. Students should secure their belongings before checking in for an exam.

The locker room is located down the hall from the Rawls Testing Center entrance (Room NW104), in the same hallway as the restrooms and adjacent to the computer lab.

No. Locker use is free. However, students must provide their own lock to secure their belongings. The Rawls Testing Center does not provide locks.

No. Overnight storage is strictly prohibited. Any locks remaining on lockers at closing time will be cut, and any items left behind will be removed.

Students are solely responsible for their personal belongings and valuables. The Rawls Testing Center and its staff are not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged items stored in lockers.

Yes. All lockers are inspected and cleared at the end of each day.

Any items found by Rawls Testing Center staff will be transferred daily to the Rawls Support Services Lost and Found.

No. The Rawls Testing Center is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced personal belongings.

Texas Tech University's final examination policies and procedures are available in Operating Policy 34.10: Texas Tech OP 34.10 – Final Examinations