Accommodated Testing
Students approved for testing accommodations through Student Disability Services are responsible for discussing those accommodations with their instructors and making testing arrangements in advance. Depending on the course and instructor, accommodated exams may be administered by the instructor or through Academic Testing Services.
Common testing accommodations may include extended testing time, a reduced-distraction testing environment, use of a reader or scribe, approved assistive technology or disability-related breaks. Your individual accommodations are listed on your Letter of Accommodation.
Before Your First Exam
Testing accommodations do not begin automatically when you register with SDS. You must request your Letter of Accommodation and discuss your approved testing accommodations with each instructor.
- Request your Letter of Accommodation. Use AIM to request accommodations for each course in which you plan to use them.
- Meet with your instructor. Discuss how your testing accommodations will be provided in that course.
- Determine where accommodated exams will be administered. Your instructor may provide the accommodations directly or use Academic Testing Services.
- Complete any required testing setup. If Academic Testing Services will administer your exams, follow its current registration, agreement and scheduling requirements.
Do not wait until the day of an exam to make accommodation arrangements. Testing services are subject to scheduling requirements and deadlines.
Academic Testing Services
Academic Testing Services, or ATS, coordinates accommodated testing for eligible students when an instructor chooses to use the testing center.
SDS determines which accommodations a student is eligible to receive. ATS administers exams according to the approved accommodations and the testing instructions provided by the instructor.
Students using ATS must follow its current procedures and deadlines each semester. Failure to complete required steps or schedule an exam by the applicable deadline may prevent ATS from providing accommodations for that exam.
Schedule an Exam Through AIM
If your instructor is using Academic Testing Services for your accommodated exam, schedule the exam through AIM as soon as the exam information is available.
- Sign in to AIM. Use the SDS accommodation management system with your eRaider credentials.
- Select the course. Choose the course for the exam you need to schedule.
- Select the exam or testing request option. Enter the requested exam information.
- Enter the exam date and time. Whenever possible, schedule the accommodated exam at the same date and time as the rest of the class.
- Review your request. Confirm the information before submitting it.
- Check your confirmation. Monitor your AIM account and university email for information about the request or any necessary changes.
How to Schedule Exams Through AIM
This video walks through the process of scheduling accommodated testing through AIM.
Scheduling Conflicts & Evening Exams
Your accommodated exam should normally be scheduled at the same time as the class exam. Extended testing time, however, may create a conflict with another class or with testing center hours.
If Your Accommodation Creates a Class Conflict
When your approved extended time overlaps another class, enter the time you are requesting when you schedule the exam through AIM and explain the reason for the adjustment. Your instructor must approve a change from the regularly scheduled exam time.
Do not miss another class in order to use your testing accommodations without first discussing the conflict with your instructor.
Evening Exams
Evening exams may need to begin earlier than the class exam so that your full approved testing time can be provided within testing center hours.
When this occurs, enter the adjusted requested start time in AIM and include a note explaining why the earlier time is necessary.
Regular exams and midterms administered through the alternative testing process must end by 9 p.m. Students receiving extended time may therefore need to begin an evening exam before the regularly scheduled class start time.
Exam Day
Plan to arrive early enough to complete any required check-in before your scheduled start time.
Students should:
- Bring any identification required by Academic Testing Services.
- Follow the testing center's rules regarding personal belongings, electronic devices and permitted materials.
- Use only materials or technology authorized by the instructor or included in the approved accommodation.
- Begin and complete the exam within the approved testing period.
- Ask testing staff for assistance if an approved accommodation is not available or functioning properly.
Testing accommodations provide access to the exam but do not change the academic standards, content or essential requirements of the course.
Changes, Cancellations & Problems
Exam Changes
If your instructor changes an exam date or time after you have scheduled it, update your arrangements as soon as possible. Do not assume that an existing testing reservation will automatically move to the new date.
Cancellations
If you no longer need a scheduled testing appointment, cancel it according to Academic Testing Services procedures so the testing space can be released.
Accommodation Problems
If an approved testing accommodation is not being provided, first communicate with your instructor or testing staff when appropriate. Contact SDS promptly if the issue cannot be resolved.
Students should not wait until the end of the semester to report repeated problems with testing accommodations.
Questions About Testing Accommodations?
For questions about your approved testing accommodations, contact Student Disability Services. For questions about a testing appointment, testing-center procedures or scheduling requirements, contact Academic Testing Services.
Student Disability Services
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Address
130 Weeks Hall, MS 45007 | Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2405 -
Fax
806.742.4837 -
Email
sds@ttu.edu