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Seton Hall University

Testing Accommodations and Procedures – Information for Students and Faculty

Student Responsibilities for Submitting an Exam Request 

Prior to an upcoming exam, students must discuss their testing accommodations with their professors. If a professor cannot provide testing accommodations in the classroom, the student can request to take the exam at Disability Support Services (DSS). To submit a request to take an exam at DSS, students must submit an exam proctoring request in AIM at least three academic days* in advance. This will allow your professor time to provide DSS with proctoring information and the exam. DSS needs a three academic day minimum notice requirement to ensure that testing materials are received and that there is space and proctors available for your exam. We want to provide students with the best exam proctoring experience possible, so please ensure you are submitting exam requests by the three academic day minimum deadline.  

Reminders:

  • Always schedule an exam at the same date/time as the class exam, unless you have a conflict with another course.  
  • If you need to take an exam on an alternate date or time, please notify your professor and indicate the reason why under “Additional Notes” section when submitting your proctoring request in AIM.
  • Please remember, DSS proctors exams Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Please keep in mind if you have any earlier or later classes, you might need to adjust your starting time.
  • You are never permitted to schedule an exam at DSS during another scheduled class period. You may not miss any class to take an exam at DSS.  
  • Please ensure you arrive on time, as your professor may not permit a later start time.
  • We will not be able to accommodate your request unless we have received your exam request within the three academic day minimum timeframe.  

To schedule an exam in AIM, log into AIM via PirateNet. 

* NOTE: one Academic Day = one day University is in session Monday - Friday 

Protection of Academic Standards

Modifications to classroom testing procedures should not reduce academic standards, nor may they compromise fairness by giving any student a competitive edge. Rather, they must serve to eliminate a competitive disadvantage caused by incompatibility between a testing method or environment and an individual’s specific disability.

Student Responsibilities for Exam Integrity

It is important to follow DSS and University guidelines for test taking behavior when taking an exam at DSS. You may bring only approved materials into the testing area. These may include: 

  • Exam materials
  • Writing utensils
  • Laptop if permitted
  • Calculator if permitted
  • Water (snack if permitted)
  • Any other materials expressly permitted by the professor or DSS staff. 

All personal items, such as bags, smartwatches, phones, hoodies, jackets and hats must be stored outside the testing area or away from the access of the testing student. You will not be allowed to wear a hoodie or jacket in the testing room, so please dress accordingly. 

Testing spaces are always monitored by cameras or proctors. Students are seated to prevent collaboration or access to unauthorized materials.  

Students should use the restroom before an exam begins. If you have a break accommodation during exams, you may use the bathroom but are not permitted to leave the building. You may sit in an area where the proctor can see you for your break but are not permitted to leave unless you are to use the bathroom. You are permitted to take a maximum of 15 minutes per 60 minutes of testing. We have implemented these procedures to ensure we are providing all students with seamless testing experience.  

If a proctor suspects a breach in academic integrity by the student, DSS will document our findings and will notify the professor once the student has completed the exam. Students will not be notified of suspicious activity while taking an exam, but DSS will inform the student once they have completed their exam.  

Faculty Responsibilities for DSS Testing Accommodations

Faculty may proctor their own exams for students with Disability Support Services (DSS) testing accommodations if they can provide accommodations in the classroom or make other own arrangements for a student to be proctored. If a faculty member needs DSS to proctor an exam, the student must submit a request for proctoring within three academic days* of the scheduled exam. If the student does not submit the request to DSS within the three academic day timeframe, the student must reschedule for the next day available allowing DSS the three academic day notification. Faculty will be notified via email from AIM when a student submits an exam proctoring request. DSS requires a three academic day minimum to ensure testing space and proctors are available, and to receive proctoring instructions and exams from the professor. 

Professors are responsible for secure and timely submission of exam materials to DSS at least pne academic day prior to the scheduled exam administration. Faculty can upload exams to AIM or email them to [email protected]. DSS is unable to pick up and/or return exams to offices. Faculty may choose to drop off and/or pick up exams, or DSS can scan completed exams back to professors via email.  

Faculty must complete a testing agreement for each course in our AIM system. This agreement will provide all testing dates, times and proctoring instructions and details for the entire semester. This needs to be completed once and the information provided will apply to all students in the course who request to take their exams at DSS. Ideally, this agreement should be completed at the beginning of the semester before students begin to submit exam proctoring requests. Once DSS receives the testing agreement for a course, we can ensure that students are submitting requests correctly. Testing agreements can be updated during the semester by the professor if the need arises. 

* NOTE: one Academic Day = one day when University is in session Monday - Friday