University of New England

General Information

The DS Test Center provides a proctored test environment for students registered with the DS who require test accommodations such as extended time, a quiet test environment, reader/scribe service and computer access. Providing the student with the proper test accommodations and assuring test security are essential concerns of the DS Test Center.

The DS Test Center is located in the lower level of the Stella Maris, room 128. The DS Test Center (extension 2119) is open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., except during University holidays and can be reached at extension 2119. The Test Center is staffed by an administrative assistant/test proctor from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and is assisted by trained work study student proctors.

Discussing Test Accommodations with Instructors

Students requesting test accommodations are required to be registered with the Disability Services. Students need to meet early in each semester with every instructor with whom they will be using their test accommodations. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the student’s registration with the DS and their approved test accommodations. The instructor has the prerogative of supervising the student during all test taking. This discussion should include whether or not the instructor can provide the approved test accommodations under their supervision. When the instructor can provide the student with the approved test accommodations, the student should take their tests under the instructor’s supervision. All contingencies, such as regular, midterm and final exams and quizzes should be discussed.

Accessing Test Accommodations through the DS Test Center

When the instructor is unable to supervise the student during test taking, with the approved test accommodations, the student will need to access the services provided through the DS Test Center. The student must provide the DS a copy of their course schedule early in every semester with the courses noted in which they will be using their test accommodations outside the supervision of the instructor. The DS will complete a Request for Test Accommodations for each course. The Request for Test Accommodations form will contain information about your test accommodations, DS Test Center procedures and the test transportation preferences of your instructor.

The student is responsible for:

Before the student can access the DS Test Center a completed and signed Request for Test Accommodation form must be on file for each course.

Scheduling Tests with the DS Test Center

It is the student’s responsibility to schedule all their tests with the DS Test Center (extension 2119) . A student may schedule a test by coming to the Test Center in person, calling the Test Center and speaking with a Proctor or by leaving a message on the Test Center voice mail with all the pertinent information (name of the student, date for test, inclusive time, course, instructor and accommodation needs). Every attempt will be made to schedule the test on the same day and time as scheduled in the classroom. This may not always be possible due to the volume of exams and various scheduling conflicts.

To schedule a regular exam requiring extra time only, it is necessary to call the DS Test Center at least three business days in advance. Regular exams requiring the use of the Quiet Room, readers, scribes or computer access must be scheduled at least five business days in advance.

To schedule a final exam requiring extra time only, it is necessary to call the DS Test Center at least seven business days in advance. Final exams requiring use of the Quiet Room, readers, scribes or computer access must be scheduled at least 10 business days in advance.

If a student does not meet these scheduling guidelines, it is their responsibility to make individual test arrangements with their instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the DS Test Center if their exams are canceled, dates or times are changed or if they decide not to use the Center for a particular exam.

Miscellaneous Student Information Regarding the DS Test Center

When a student arrives more than 20 minutes late for a scheduled exam, the DS Test Center cannot administer the exam. The student will need to speak with the instructor about rescheduling the exam (in accordance with DS Test Center deadlines). When a student begins an exam late (up to 20 min.), the number of late minutes will be deducted from the time allotted for the exam. The student will still need to complete their exam by the originally scheduled completion time.

A student will be requested to present their UNE Identification Card, or other legal picture ID, to DS Test Center personnel before they can take an exam.

A student will be held to the University’s Student Code of Conduct in all dealings with the DS Test Center. If a student is caught cheating or suspected of cheating on an exam by DS Test Center personnel, full information regarding the incident will be turned over to the instructor for discretionary action.

The student cannot leave the testing area without permission from a proctor and without signing out. Upon returning the student will notify the proctor and sign back in.

Prior to using the DS Test Center all students will be required to sign a Contract of Agreement for Testing Accommodations.

DS Test Center proctors will not answer students’ requests for test clarification. The student is welcome to contact the instructor by phone to seek clarification or interpretation. If the instructor is not available, the student can attach a written note which will be included with their test.

Faculty and Student’s Test Accommodations

Student registration with the DS is based on the presence of a documented disability which has a significant impact on their ability to equally access the University’s educational environment or services. The purpose of accommodations is to provide equal access and doesn't insure success or require preferential treatment. Test accommodations are frequently utilized to provide equal access when evaluating a student's knowledge in a course. Test accommodations frequently granted in the post-secondary environment include extra time (time and a half or double time); a quiet, distraction-reduced test environment; computer access for essay exams; a test reader; a test scribe or alternative format of the exam. Extended time may not be considered a reasonable accommodation if time is an essential element of the skill being evaluated. The use of a calculator may not be considered a reasonable accommodation if computation is the essential element being evaluated.

The course instructor is obviously the best person to oversee the student’s test taking as only they can interpret and clarify any questions a student may have. Instructors always have the prerogative to supervise a student’s test taking, and it is necessary to provide the student with the accommodations granted. Students are advised to meet early in the semester with their instructors in order to discuss their test accommodations and to work out mutually satisfactory provisions for the taking of exams, tests and quizzes. When an instructor, because of time constraints or the nature of the accommodations, is unable to provide the student with the accommodations granted, the DS offers students and their instructors the option of having exams administered in the DS Test Center.

Request for Test Accommodations-Faculty Responsibility

Instructors are required to complete a portion of the Request for Test Accommodations form for each student. This form, which is initiated by the DS by request of the student: