Guidelines and Policies

Relevant Principles & Standards

Because many students use the Testing Center, your behavior and adherence to Testing Center policies and procedures impacts your peers as well. Our policies and procedures were developed in line with Dartmouth's Standards of Conduct as well as the Principle of Community.

As with any assessment at Dartmouth, the Academic Honor Principle applies to tests taken in the A11y Testing Center, and any student suspected of a violation will be reported to their instructor.

Be Considerate of Others

Illnesses

The percentage of SAS students who are immunocompromised is higher than that at the overall College. Please help us keep the SAS community and staff who work in the Testing Center safe by observing the following:

  • Please do not come to the Testing Center if you are ill. Contact your professor and the Testing Center if you are feeling unwell for your scheduled test date; do not come to the Testing Center feeling poorly.
  • Consider wearing a mask in the main testing suite or if a peer asks you to wear one. Disposable masks are available at the Testing Center.

Noise

Please refrain from loud talking in the Testing Center and waiting area. We want to provide a quiet space for all those taking exams. Please do not linger in testing rooms, hallways, or waiting areas to converse with others after your exam is over. When in a shared testing room, please be courteous of others who are testing.

Check-in & Seating

You will need a picture ID to check in for your exam. Once you are checked in, you will be seated by a member of the Testing Center Staff shortly before your exam start time. Please be sure to store all your personal items in the cubbies within the Testing Center waiting area.

Late Arrivals

You should arrive at the Testing Center on or shortly before their scheduled test time in order to receive your full exam time. If you arrive at a time other than the approved time, professor approval will be required. The exam end time will not be adjusted for a late arrival.

What to Bring

Testing Supplies

Please bring whatever you need to complete your exam, such as a pen/pencil, eraser, calculator, non-smart watch, and so forth.

Authorized Exam Materials

Only exam materials authorized by your instructor are permitted in the testing room. This information is shared by your instructor in the Alternative Testing Contract submitted to the Testing Center prior to your exam, and the Testing Center staff are obligated to follow this contract.

Personal Belongings

All personal belongings (bags, book, notes, coats, etc.) must be stored in the cubbies in the Testing Center waiting area. Cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, etc. are not permitted in the testing rooms unless authorized prior to your exam as accommodations. Otherwise, they must be turned off and stored in the cubbies. For your safety, it is best to leave all personal belongings in your dorm rooms.

Drinks and Food

Only bottled water is allowed in the Testing Center unless you have a food/drink accommodation directly related to the nature of your disability.

Miscellaneous

Bathroom Breaks

You are allowed to leave the Testing Center for bathroom breaks. However, you must alert a member of the Testing Center Staff that you are leaving the area and when you return. You are not allowed to access any items you have stored in the waiting area cubbies during these breaks.

Ear Plugs & Noise-Cancelling Headsets are Available

If you are easily bothered by ambient noise, please ask the Testing Center staff for use of a noise-cancelling headset or ear plugs at any time during the exam. Just stop by the office with your ID to check them out--it only takes a moment. 

Concerns Arising During the Exam

Please contact a member of the Testing Center staff immediately if you have a concern about the testing environment or if you have any questions regarding the information provided to you by your instructor in the exam so that we can address your concern.