FAQs for Faculty
The following will answer many questions that faculty may have regarding accommodated testing at the DRC. If you have additional questions, please contact us at 706-542-8719.
Does a student with a disability have to test through the DRC?How will I know what test accommodations a student receives?
How can I provide a "low distraction environment?"
How long is extended time?
How do students schedule exams with your office?
What if I typically schedule exams as "to be announced?"
Does the DRC administer tests at the same time as the rest of the class?
How do you monitor exams?
What happens if a student shows up late for an exam?
Are students allowed access to outside materials during exams?
What if a student needs a blue book for the exam?
How do you ensure test security?
What if a student has a question during the exam?
Are students able to take parts of the exam with them after the test?
How are the exams transported to and from my office?
What is the process for a case of suspected academic dishonesty?
- Does a student with a disability have to test through the DRC?
- Students registered with the DRC to receive test accommodations do not need to take their exams at the DRC. It is perfectly appropriate for an instructor to provide accommodations within the department when possible. This situation can be beneficial to students as they will be able to reach the faculty member with questions.
- How will I know what test accommodations a student receives?
- Students who are approved for test accommodations should provide you with a letter from the Disability Resource Center indicating the testing accommodations needed. Test accommodations may include but are not limited to: extended time, low distraction environment or private room, use of a computer, large print, scribe, or a reader. Specific accommodations are specified in the letter.
- How can I provide a "low distraction environment?"
- A low distraction environment is a testing locale with minimal interruptions and limited noise. Smaller classrooms with few students or a quiet office would be suitable. It is important to discuss the proposed testing environment with the student in order to determine the appropriateness of the testing environment. Some suggestions are: quiet room or office, schedule student's test when appropriate room is available.
- How long is extended time?
- Accommodations for time extensions are determined by the student's disability specialist based upon current documentation of the student's disability. The most common time accommodations are time and a half or double time. Unlimited time is not an option.
- How do students schedule exams with your office?
- Students registered with the DRC pick up their professor letters at the beginning of the semester, and are advised to meet with their instructors during regular office hours. The instructor and student should complete the Blue Test Accommodations form together. The student must then return the form to the Test Accommodations Office at least one week in advance of the intended exam date. Only one blue form per class is necessary.
- What if I typically schedule exams as "to be announced?"
- Whenever possible, we like to schedule all exams for the semester when a student brings in his or her blue form. In the event that the instructor announces exams as the class progresses, we do ask for at least three days advance notice. It is always the responsibility of the student to notify our office of a new test date. The instructor simply needs to verify in writing this additional test date or test date change. The instructor and student can fill out an "Additional Test Date Form" or the instructor can email the Test Accommodations Office at dstest@uga.edu to notify us of a new test date.
- Does the DRC administer tests at the same time as the rest of the class?
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Typically, the DRC Test Accommodations Office schedules exams to start at the regular class time, unless an exception has been made and documented in writing (via blue form or email) by the professor.
Occasionally, extended time for an exam results in a scheduling conflict. Students registered with the DRC receive priority registration so they can avoid scheduling classes back-to-back, but conflicts do occur. When this happens, the DRC can start the student's exam earlier with professor permission, and can make a commitment to the professor that the student will remain in the exam room, without access to internet or cell phone, until the regular class has started the exam.
- How do you monitor exams?
- Students taking tests in our facilities are either monitored on closed circuit television or will be in a room with one of our proctors. Some of our rooms are private, but other rooms hold between 6 and 10 students. More than one student taking the same exam will not be seated in the same room unless a proctor is present.
- What happens if a student shows up late for an exam?
- If a student arrives more than 20 minutes late to a scheduled exam, he or she will not be allowed to take the exam at the DRC without instructor permission. Students are advised that they must choose how to proceed, but that they may want to go to the classroom or try to contact the professor.
- Are students allowed access to outside materials during exams?
- Students are allowed access only to materials specified on the blue testing accommodations form, or indicated on the test or instructions received with the test. Before the proctor seats the student in the exam room, he or she will ask the student to turn off their cell phone or PDA, place it in their bag, and store it in our of the lockers located in the hallway. Students are also asked to place any jackets or miscellaneous items in the locker. At no time during the exam will the student be allowed to access this locker or any materials other than those with which they enter the exam.
- What if a student needs a blue book for the exam?
- We do not provide blue books for students testing through our office. If the student brings in his or her own blue book, it will be checked by a DRC staff member to ensure that no unauthorized information enters the exam room.
- How do you ensure test security?
- Exams are received by our office through the following methods: pick up by student proctor, fax, email, or drop off by the professor. Once received, exams are stored in a locked file cabinet that can only be accessed by staff to administer the exam. Upon completion of the exam, the entire test is collected and returned to the professor by proctor delivery, student delivery (in a sealed envelope) or faxed back. Note: it is up to the professor to decide in what manner a test is transported to and from the professor's office.
- What if a student has a question during the exam?
- If a student has a question for the professor during the exam administration period, a DRC Test Accommodations staff member will attempt to contact the professor. In the event that the professor cannot be reached, the student will fill out a casenote. A copy of the casenote is returned with the exam, and a copy is kept locked on file in the DRC Test Accommodations Office.
- Are students able to take parts of the exam with them after the test?
- Unless the professor has given written permission for the student to keep the exam, the exam MUST be returned. Please make sure to note if the student may keep the exam. Otherwise, it will be collected and returned with the scantron. Students are also required by our office to return any formula sheets that were allowed in the exam. All scratch paper is also collected and returned.
- How are the exams transported to and from my office?
- You can choose to email, fax, drop off, or have a proctor pick up your exam. If you would like to arrange for proctor pick up, we do ask for 24 hours advance notice. We can return the exam via proctor in a sealed envelope, professor pick up, fax back, or have the student return the exam in a sealed envelope.
- What is the process for a case of suspected academic dishonesty?
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If a DRC Test Accommodations staff member suspects academic dishonesty, we will endeavor to document the incident. If possible, the student will be videotaped. All unauthorized materials will be confiscated. The exam will be collected and copied, and then returned to the student to complete without the use of unauthorized materials.
The Disability Testing Specialist will contact the professor and return the exam, unauthorized materials, and thorough documentation of the incident. The Disability Testing Specialist will also contact the Office of the Vice President for Instruction within 15 days of the incident.