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Testing Requirements and Accommodations

Testing Requirements

Students entering college for the first time and who are not exempt based on the Texas statewide, standardized testing for exit level high school students (such as STAAR or TAKS), SAT or ACT scores are required by the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) law to be tested for reading, writing, and math proficiency and placement.  Students with disabilities should contact the ODS Coordinator to discuss possible accommodations for the TSI assessment.

Guidelines for Testing Accommodations

The Student Success Center, Testing Center, and the ODS provide testing services for students who are assigned testing accommodations (such as extended time taking an exam, exams in a reduced distraction environment, and reading and/or scribing services).  Students who are assigned testing accommodations in the Student Success Center (SSC) and Testing Center are instructed to provide a copy of their accommodations memo to the SSC.  Testing accommodations for students must be documented in the ODS.

The guidelines listed below must be followed to ensure security in handling of tests and for accuracy in their administration when a student is referred for proctoring, scribing or reading services:

  • Students should contact the SSC, Testing Center or the ODS to make an appointment to take the exam.  Unfortunately, a guarantee cannot be made that tests will be administered or proctored during the normally scheduled class time due to limited space and staff.  Appointments are made on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Students should request a testing appointment in a reasonable amount of time for the appointment to be scheduled (most find one week is enough).
  • Students must submit a Student ID before they can take any test in the Testing Center.  A photo ID, such as a driver’s license can submitted for students taking the TSI assessment.
  • Each test or exam must be personally delivered by the instructor and include the following information written either directly on the envelope or a cover letter secured to the envelope for each exam:
    • Instructor’s name
    • Student’s name
    • Course name, number and section number
    • Items required/allowed for the exam (Scantron, calculator, notes, scratch paper, etc.) and
    • Time limit (if applicable)
  • Note Sheets, dictionaries, calculators or other aids will not be permitted unless specifically cited on the enclosed instructions.
    • It is the student’s responsibility to bring all items (Scantrons, blue books, pencils, pens, etc.) needed for the exam.
  • All rules set forth for utilizing the SSC and Testing Center must be followed.
  • Completed exams will be placed in an envelope and secured with tamper-proof tape by the Testing Center or the ODS.  The test is placed in a secure location until the exam is picked up.  The instructor is responsible for retrieving the completed exam from the Testing Center or the ODS.
  • Interpreters for the deaf may not sit in the SSC, Testing Center, or the ODS with a student taking an exam unless the test must be given orally.
  • After verbal instructions are given to a deaf student by an interpreter, the interpreter must leave the room.
  • Cheating is not allowed.  If a student is found cheating he/she will be asked to stop testing and leave the testing location.  Cheating may include, but is not limited to making an effort to remove test materials or notes from the testing room, failing to follow testing procedures or stop work when time is over, or using unauthorized aids during testing.