Test Administration Policy

The Learning Center proctors exams for all SMU students. At the current time, all exams are proctored in Old Main Room 214. Exams will be proctored by LWC staff only between the hours of 8am to 5pm. Students will need to request test proctoring at the front desk of the Learning Center at least one week in advance. Students with disabilities who are eligible for testing accommodations need to schedule with Dee Sturm, Learning Center Administrative Assistant, at the front desk in Old Main 214. The number at the front desk is 438- 4569.

 Test Administration Procedures

All procedures for test administration follow these testing guidelines:

• Sign up for test proctoring at least one week in advance to secure a testing time that satisfies class requirements.
• Students need to show up on time for their exam. Showing up late will result in time deducted from the exam, or in the exam time being cancelled and the necessity of re-scheduling with their professor. The start and finish times of the test will be recorded by the test proctor and noted on a cover sheet.
• Students must ensure that the LWC has a signed Faculty Approval Slip (green) on file for each course that tests are to be proctored for. Students must also have a signed acknowledgement that they have received a copy of and understand these guidelines.
• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the LWC has the test prior to the date of testing. If the test is not at the LWC, it will be the student’s responsibility to get the test from the instructor. The LWC staff will not retrieve tests from instructors.
• Students may take only the test paper(s), pencils (or pen), and other materials as approved by the professor on the Faculty Approval Slip into the testing room. Students may not access books, bags, or coats at any time during the exam. Cell phones are prohibited from the testing rooms. All personal effects will be safeguarded behind the reception desk during the exam.
• Scrap paper and blank disks for computer-assisted testing will be provided by the LWC.
• Exams will be returned to the professor when students are no shows for their appointments. Over thirty minutes late is considered a “no show”. The student will have to reschedule the test, with the professor involved/informed of the re-schedule.
• Unattended children are not permitted during exams. Please show consideration by making arrangements for childcare ahead of your test time.
• Students may not leave the testing room in the middle of an hour-long test. With a test that is 2 hours or more in length, a student may take a 10 minute break during the test, but if they are gone longer than that, the test session will be considered discontinued and the student will have to reschedule with his or her professor.
• Tests with “unlimited time” must be proctored by the faculty member. They cannot be taken in the Learning and Writing Center as the rooms are carefully and specifically scheduled.
• Exams must be delivered by the professor. If a student is permitted to deliver the exam, the envelope needs to be endorsed across the seal with the instructor’s signature.
• MAKE-UP EXAMS will be not be proctored by the LWC staff except under extenuating circumstances. Students must ensure that the LWC has a signed Faculty Approval Slip (yellow) on file. Check with the front desk in the Learning/Writing Center for the specific make-up exam proctoring schedule.