Disability Support Service Testing Guidelines

Reasonable accommodations are dependent upon the nature of the documented disability, what the exam is designed to test or measure and nature of the class/program - final determination of appropriate test accommodations are determined by DSS. Most common accommodations include:

• Reasonable extended testing time (this does NOT mean unlimited test time or untimed tests - standard extended test time is time and one-half; double test time may be approved by DSS on a case by case basis if the student has a documented learning/reading disability supported by appropriate documentation) 
• Distraction-reduced room at the DSS Testing Office 
• Test Scribes or Test Reader
• Test reading software (Kurzweil)
• Use of adaptive software (ZoomText) and/or adaptive mouse 
• Large print tests or Braille tests
• Sign language interpreter
• Alternative answer sheet

Utilizing Testing Accommodations
Students who elect to utilize their approved testing accommodations (i.e. extended testing time and/or separate testing area) have two testing options:

1. Take tests at Disability Support Services testing office 
   • Available for exams that cannot be taken online at home, in a classroom, or lab on campus if instructor is unable to provide extra testing time/separate testing area.
2. Take tests in class under normal testing conditions
   • Available for classes or labs that will be held on campus.

Testing Without Accommodations
Students who choose to take the exam in the classroom without accommodations lose the use of approved testing accommodations and are not entitled to a re-take of that exam.

Scheduling Test Appointments:

Students are required to schedule tests at least 3 business days (excluding weekends/holidays/summer hours) before the test date with DSS. (i.e. extended testing time and/or separate testing area). NO EXCEPTIONS to the testing policy will be made and late test requests will NOT be accepted. Only students are permitted to schedule test appointments.

      If your test day is on:                  Appointment must be made by:     

                      MONDAY                                              WEDNESDAY  by 5:30pm   CST

                      TUESDAY                                              THURSDAY       by 5:30pm  CST

                      WEDNESDAY                                        FRIDAY             by 11:30am CST

                      THURSDAY                                            MONDAY         by 5:30pm  CST

                       FRIDAY                                                  TUESDAY         by 5:30pm   CST

All requests for test appointments MUST be sent to the DSS Testing Office using the following email address: DTests@ctcd.edu. Requests sent to any other email address will not be scheduled. All test  appointments MUST be scheduled and completed during normal DSS business hours. Any variations on test times/dates must be approved by the instructor and coordinated with the DSS office.

DSS does NOT send out test appointment reminders to students.

• Information required for scheduling a testing appointment: 
  • Student's name
  • Class name & number
  • Instructor's name
  • Test date and time of exam

✱ Students must discuss all testing accommodations with the course instructor prior to the test date.

Non-compliance will result in tests not being scheduled at DSS Testing Center, and students will return to class. 

✱ For online students, instructors are responsible for extension of testing time.

Testing at the DSS Center

Please be on time for your scheduled test. Students who are more than 15 minutes late will NOT be permitted to test at the DSS Testing Center. 

• Students are NOT permitted to use/bring their cell phones, lap tops, tablets, smart watches, or any other non-approved devices in the DSS testing center. 
• Plan your bathroom breaks before the test; taking breaks during the test is only allowed with medical documentation stating the necessity; students are to remain at the testing office during their testing time.
• If there's any academic dishonesty during the test, the session will stop immediately, and your instructor will be notified.
• Auxiliary test aids such as calculators, formula tables, textbooks or notes cannot be used, unless authorized by the instructor.
• Tests must be turned in within the allotted extended testing time. Once the student has submitted his/her test, DSS cannot give the test back to the student.
• Students are responsible for reporting any issues with testing to DSS staff immediately for assistance.

Surveillance

• The Testing Center is under video surveillance at all times.
• DSS physically monitors the room, by walking back and forth.