Testing Accommodations – Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES)

Proctoring of in-person exams with disability-related accommodations is available through the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) in their Testing Accommodations Center (TAC) with the permission of the instructor. Depending upon the student’s disability, testing accommodations may include but not be limited to the use of appropriate extended time, a distraction-reduced environment, computers, assistive technology, and/or adaptive equipment, and in very limited situations where technology is unable to be used, a reader or a scribe.

In addition to the information below, refer to the Testing Accommodations FAQ for answers to common questions from instructors and students.

Academic Integrity

The Testing Accommodations Center (TAC) follows the guidelines of the Student Code found in the student handbook on academic integrity. The TAC also implements policies and procedures of its own, which can be found on this webpage. Both the TAC and the University have a zero tolerance policy regarding violations of academic integrity standards. If a student is found in violation of academic integrity on an exam, the exam will be immediately terminated, the instructor will be notified, and the University protocol will take effect. Having books, any form of notes, cell phones, smart watches (watches that receive texts or have internet access), or any other unauthorized materials during the exam will result in immediate exam termination. Any further actions regarding discipline, or lack thereof, will be determined by the instructor of the course.

For more information please go to the University’s Academic Integrity Infractions.

Hours of Operation

Fall and Spring

Monday — Friday: 8:00am — 4:30pm
Sorry, we are not open on Saturday or Sunday.
Only on days designated as ‘Final Exam days’, according to the University of Illinois, the TAC will extend its hours of operation to 8:00am—6:35pm.

Summer
Monday — Friday: 8:00am — 4:00pm
The TAC will not be open on Saturdays or Sunday.

Dates TAC Will Be Closed

Juneteenth Day: June 19, 2023
Independence Day: July, 4, 2023
Summer Break: August 7, 2023-August 18, 2023
Labor Day: September 4, 2023
Fall Break: November 20, 2023-November 24, 2023
Winter Break: December 18, 2023-January 1, 2024
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 15, 2024
Spring Break: March 11, 2024-March 15, 2024
DRES 75 Anniversary celebration: April 19, 2024
Memorial Day: May 27, 2024

Deadline to Schedule Final Exams

For the Spring 2023 Semester: April 13, 2023.
For Summer sessions please schedule final exams as soon as possible.

TAC Location

The TAC is located at DRES in room 136:
Rehabilitation Educational Center (REC)
1207 South Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 333-4604
Email: dres-testing@illinois.edu

Arranging Testing Accommodations

At the beginning of the semester (or well in advance of scheduling their exams), students must give the instructor a copy of their Letter of Accommodations (LOA) which they have receive from their Access Specialist at DRES after participating in the interactive process. The LOA can be downloaded from MyAccessCenter (MAC).

When the students give their LOA to their instructor, they must meet with their instructor to discuss their accommodations and how exam accommodations will be handled in the course (either by the instructor, the department or taking exams at TAC).

If the student does not provide their LOA to their instructor, the instructor is not obligated to allow any accommodations.

If students or instructors have concerns about their accommodations or how to implement, they should contact their Access Specialist (listed at the end of the Letter of Accommodation).

Online Exams

Registered DRES students taking online exams should be proctored remotely in the same manner as the rest of the class utilizing the academic accommodations specified in their Letter of Accommodations. Therefore, exams should not be scheduled to be proctored by the TAC. If instructors or students have questions about remote accommodations, they can reach out to the TAC (dres-testing@illinois.edu or 217-333-4604) or the student’s Access Specialist (listed at the end of the Letter of Accommodation) to initiate further discussion. We are happy to help!

Instructor Guide to Providing Extended Time Online

Instructors can provide extended time accommodations from within a course’s learning management system (LMS). Step-by-step instructions for making these changes are linked below:

Canvas – Once I publish a timed quiz, how can I give my students extra time?

Canvas – How do I use the Moderation page in New Quizzes?

Canvas – Once I publish a quiz, how do I use the Moderate Quiz page?

Moodle

Technology Services is another good resource.

If assistance is needed with calculating the duration, please feel free to contact the Testing Accommodations Center (TAC) at dres-testing@illinois.edu.

Students who need assistive technology (AT) on their exams, should already have AT set up on their own computer. Instructors should make sure that their exam content is accessible. If the exam platform is using lockdown software, the student may need to have their exam unlocked so they can use their assistive technology. If assistance is needed with this, instructors can contact the TAC or Accessible Media Services (AMS) at dres-accessible-media@illinois.edu.

Students who need a distraction-reduced environment to take their exams, should try to find a quiet place in their home to take exams and use earplugs if possible or utilize a quiet space on campus. Students may contact their Access Specialist for suggestions. Instructors should also take into consideration that some students may not be able to find a distraction-reduced environment in their current living situation.

Instructors and students should communicate regarding a student’s accommodation needs. If instructors have concerns and would like to talk to the student’s Access Specialist, please reach out to them. The Access Specialist is the person that signs the student’s Letter of Accommodations (LOA) and their contact information is listed under their signature.

Scheduling an Exam with Accommodations

Whenever possible, students are encouraged to schedule their exams with accommodations to be taken under the direct supervision of their instructors or their department. If not possible, students may take their in-person exam at the Testing Accommodations Center (TAC) within DRES.

Exams (including extended time) must be scheduled to fit within TAC’s hours of operation. (Hours of operation are listed above)

Scheduling Policy: To ensure ample time to implement your accommodations, the TAC requests that exam reservation be made at least a week in advance for all quizzes and exams. In order for the TAC to have the time needed to notify instructors and obtain the exam so that the exams can administer properly, students must sign up no later than 8:00am two (2) business days in advance.

Final Exams (only during designated University of Illinois finals week) MUST be scheduled by the deadline date (listed above). The TAC will provide a deadline each semester on this website for final exams. Keep checking for those updates. If you schedule after the deadline, we cannot guarantee space for you to take your exam and if we no longer have room, you will have to work with your instructor and access specialist to schedule.

All exams must be scheduled by using the DRES Schedule Your Exam website or in person. Exceptions will be made only for disability-related conditions that make signing up online very difficult. Students must work with the TAC well in advance to set up this arrangement.

By completing the form students acknowledge, that they will be utilizing the Testing Accommodations Center (TAC), agree to follow all the TAC policies (found on the TAC website) and acknowledge and understand that they will be recorded and monitored by cameras and TAC Staff.

Exams should be scheduled to be taken at the same time as or so that the exam overlaps with classroom exams. Exceptions, such as evening exams or when time accommodations extend into another class period, must be arranged in advance with the instructor and the TAC Coordinator on a case by case basis.

After an exam is scheduled with the TAC, the TAC office will contact the instructor and make arrangements to receive the exam. Upon completion of the exam, the TAC will make arrangements for the instructor to receive all testing materials with the exam.

Students are required to mark all accommodations needed for the exam that they qualify for. If the student does not select a specific accommodation, the TAC will assume that the student is choosing not to utilize that specific accommodation.

Scheduled exams may be viewed by clicking on the Exam Scheduling Site. After logging in, click on “Upcoming Exams” in the upper left hand side of the screen.

Students must schedule their exams so that their exam duration (including extended time) fits within the TAC’s hours of operations. Therefore, all exams will start at the scheduled time. If the student chooses to show up late to the exam, they will lose that time. Students will have the option of starting up to 30 minutes prior to when their exams are scheduled. However, the student will not receive extra time for starting early. Any variance or adjustments to this must be approved by the instructor and the TAC.

Please click How to Schedule Your Exams for a short video.

Scheduling a Final Exam with Accommodations

The Final Exams schedule deadline is listed above. A high number of students take their final exams in the TAC and there are limiting space and resources. Therefore Final Exams must be scheduled by the deadline (listed above) to ensure a seat for the exam date and time desired.

By completing the form you understand and acknowledge you will be utilizing the Testing Accommodations Center (TAC), you agree to follow all the TAC policies (found on the TAC website) and you understand and acknowledge that you will be recorded and monitored by cameras and TAC Staff.

Students must discuss their Final Exam arrangement, in advance, with their instructor.

Students must schedule their Final Exam during the appropriate time:

If a student receives 2.0 extended time, they may only schedule their Final Exams at 8:00 am or at 12:35 pm.

If a student receives no or 1.5 extended time, they may only schedule their Final Exams at 8:00 am or at 2:05 pm.

If a student receives breaks not counted against their time, they may only schedule their Final Exams at 8:00am.

Hours of Operation for Fall/Spring Final Exam sessions are Monday—Friday, 8:00 am—6:35 pm.

During the summer Final Exam session only, students must schedule their final exams to fit within the hours of operation for summer sessions.

Students should schedule their Final Exam as close to the original class time as possible and should have discussed this with their instructor.

Finals Time Policy: A student may start their exam up to 30 minutes before their scheduled start time. This includes final exams that start at 8:00am. Student exam start time will begin at their scheduled time, even if the student is not in their assigned seat.

Example: Student arrives in DRES/TAC at 7:45am but chooses to sit and study in the lobby until 8:00am, then proceeds to get in line and check in for their exam. The process to seat the student then cuts into the student’s overall exam time and the student will not be compensated extra time for the check in process. Their exam starts at 8:00am even though they are not in their seats but in the building.

Due to the high volume of students checking in for their exam, the check in process may take longer than expected. The exam start time will begin at the scheduled start time even if the student is in the process of checking in or getting setup.

Students should arrive about 30-40 minutes before the exam is scheduled to start to check in with TAC Staff for their exam. Students will not receive extra time for starting early but will receive their full extended time. The Late Policy will apply to final exams.

Please visit the Taking Finals in the TAC for more information.

Changing or Canceling an Exam

Students should be able to adjust their exam schedule or cancel the exam through the TAC app in MyAccessCenter (MAC). MAC is the same location in which students access their Letter of Accommodations (LOA).

When students adjust their exams schedule, the instructor and the TAC will need to approve it. Please notify your instructor with explanation of why the schedule has been adjusted immediately.

In some cases, it may be necessary to contact the Emergency Dean at (217) 333-0050 to reschedule exams depending on the course requirements.

Checking the Status of An Exam

Students are able to view their exam schedule and the status of the exam through the TAC portal in MyAccessCenter (MAC). MAC is the same location in which students access their Letter of Accommodations (LOA). The student should contact their instructor to ensure they approve the exam and provide the exam in a timely manner.

Lockers

There are a limited number of lockers available in the TAC lobby and there is no guarantee that there will be a locker available for everyone. Therefore, please avoid bringing extra items with you when you come to the TAC. If you need to utilize a locker, please note, you may only use one. Any oversized items may be placed above the lockers. DRES/TAC is not responsible for items left in lockers/TAC lobby.

Upon arrival students must put their personal items in a locker, on top of the lockers or on the coat rack.. This includes cell phones, which must be completely turned off (not just on silent mode or vibrate).

The locker is equipped with a pin pad to securely lock their personal items up.

To lock the locker:

Close the locker door

Enter any four-digit code

Press the checkmark key to lock the locker

To reopen the locker:

Enter the same four-digit code created earlier

Press the checkmark key to unlock the locker

Open locker door

If you are unable to reopen the locker, you must notify a TAC Staff.

Check In Procedure and Time Policies

Students should arrive about 10-15 minutes before the non-final exam is scheduled to start to check-in with TAC Staff.

Students will be required to present their I-Card to verify their ID when they come in to take exams.

The TAC Staff will ask a series of required questions to administer the exam properly as part of the check-in process.

Early Policy (Non-Final Testing Period)

A student may start their exam up to 30 minutes before their scheduled start time, but no exam will start earlier than 7:55am due to hours of operation.

Example: A scheduled 8:00am exam can only start as early as 7:55am due to hours of operation.

Starting exams earlier ensures students receive their full extended time. The student will not receive extra time for starting early. If the student arrives more than 30 minutes early, the student will be asked to wait in the lobby and return to check-in with the TAC when they may start the exam. The check-in policy for Finals Time is different than the rest of the semester.

Example: Student arrives at 7:50am for their scheduled 8:00am exam. They will not be able to check in until 7:55am at the earliest. A student arrives at 8:00am for their scheduled 8:30am exam, they will be able to start as early as 8:00am.

Late Policy

If a student arrives late to their scheduled exam, the student will lose the time they missed, and the student will need to complete their exam by the end of their scheduled time.

Example: Student arrives at 12:18pm for their exam originally scheduled at 12:00pm; the duration with their extended time is two hours. The student will lose those 18 minutes and must complete their exam within the originally scheduled time and be done by 2:00pm.

If a student arrives late to their scheduled exam time, they can still check-in and start their exam up to 30 minutes past their originally scheduled start time. However, if the student arrives more than 30 minutes past their scheduled start time, the student will not be able to take the exam at that time. The exam will be canceled, and the student will need to discuss their exam options with their instructor. The student’s options include:

Rescheduling the exam for a later date in the TAC (except during finals and in accordance with the TAC scheduling policy)

Taking the exam with the instructor with or without accommodations

Refer back to the course syllabus and follow the policies outlined within the course syllabus.

Finals Time Policy

A student may start their exam up to 30 minutes before their scheduled start time, this includes exams starting at 8:00am. Student’s exam start time will begin at their scheduled time, even if the student is not in their assigned seat.

Students should arrive about 30-40 minutes before the final exam is scheduled to start to check in with TAC Staff for their exam. Students will not receive extra time for starting early but will receive their full extended time. The Late Policy will apply to final exams.

Taking an Exam

Students should arrive 10-15 minutes before the exam is scheduled to start (the time the student enters in the TAC portal is the start time of the exam). The exam start time will start even if the students is not in their seat.

For final exams, students should arrive at least 15-20 minutes early and up to 30-40 minutes early to reduce stress. This is to allow students to be seated to start their exams on time.

Students will be required to present their I-Card to verify their ID when they come in to take exams.

Students must conform to general University policies relative to examinations.

Suspected or confirmed cheating will be reported immediately to the instructor.

Being caught with an electronic device that was not approved as an accommodation is considered cheating.

Proctoring will be handled by DRES Staff directly or indirectly via a camera surveillance system.

All scantrons must be completed within the allotted exam time, unless scantron assistance is an accommodation.

Noise cancelling headphones and ear plugs are available and will be provided upon request to TAC staff.

Scratch paper is also available upon request, unless specific instructions are given by the instructor not to provide scratch paper. All scratch paper will be turned in with the exam.

The TAC will provide readers and scribes for those students who qualify for those accommodations.

Parking is available in the E26 lot on the north side of the building when students are taking their exams. Students must pick up a Parking Pass from the Main Office (room 103) every time they take an exam. Please do this prior to arriving in the TAC as exam time will not stop or be delayed due to parking issues. If a vehicle is parked in the E26 parking lot without the Parking Pass, a ticket may be issued or the vehicle may be towed.

Any problems with testing in the TAC MUST be reported immediately to TAC Staff or an access specialist at the time the problem occurs.

If you do NOT inform the TAC Staff or access specialist of a problem during the exam, then you forfeit all rights to redress at a later time.

Restroom Breaks: Students may use the restroom during their exams. However, their time does not stop for restroom breaks unless it is an approved accommodation. If you must use the restroom, leave your exam on your desk and notifyTAC Staff immediately. If you have left your desk without telling TAC Staff, there may be concerns about exam integrity.
**If restroom breaks are in the student’s LOA, the student must indicate this when they schedule their exam and to TAC Staff when arriving for the exam. This is so we can try to place the student appropriately.

Food: There is NO food allowed in the testing area (booth or room).

If students have food breaks in their LOA, the student must note that when scheduling their exams. This is so we can try to place the student appropriately. The food will still need to be kept in a locker. The student will need to get a TAC Staff member to access their food to eat in the lobby.

We understand that when taking final exams, students can be in the TAC for four and half to six hours. We suggest students eat before the exam and bring snacks for a quick break in the lobby to not impact exam time.

Drinks: Only drinks with lids that seal completely may come into the testing area. Drinks without lids, drinks with straws or openings are not allowed.

Timers: You may bring your own timer or watch. Timers are tools to help students keep track of their time. The TAC Staff documents the time students begin and tracks the student’s official time. The TAC Staff will collect the student’s exams when the student’s time is up according to the official time; not according to the student’s timer.

Cell phones or electronic devices connected to other items will not be permitted to be used for a timer.

Clocks are located in each room of the testing area (not in individual cubicles)

Watches are allowed, however, Smart Watches are not allowed and will be asked to be removed before entering the testing areas.

Items NOT allowed in the testing area (unless specified by instructor/department or an approved accommodation)

Cell phones

Laptops

Books

Notes

Calculators

Smartwatches

Please watch this Short Video to know what to expect when you arrive to take an exam in the TAC.

PHYS 100, 101, 102, 211, 212, 213 and 214

The Physics Department has additional policies with their exams. Physics 100, 101,102, 211, 212, 213 and 214 exams are to be taken in the Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF). The CBTF are able to accommodate students’ accommodations.

Students must provide a hardcopy of their Letter of Accommodation (LOA) to:

The Physics Department Undergraduate Studies Office Staff in Room 231 of Loomis Lab (undergrad@physics.illinois.edu)

The CBTF – Please view the CBTF guidlines

The instructors

Quizzes can still be scheduled in the TAC. Please schedule your quiz though the Exam Scheduling Site.

Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF)

The Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF) is able to provide accommodations. Students taking exams in the CBTF wanting to utilize their accommodations must upload their Letters of Accommodations (LOA) to the CBTF Website and follow their guidance. Please allow 5 business days for this to be processed. The CBTF will send a confirmation email once the LOA is processed.
CBTF can be contacted cbtf@illinois.edu or go to the CBTF Website.

Exam Receipt/Scheduling Policy

Exam Receipt Policy for Professors and Exam Scheduling Policy for Students

To provide the best quality of service to our DRES students:

Exams must be submitted to the TAC by 3:00pm one (1) business day prior to when the student is scheduled to take the exam. If the professor fails to get the exam to the TAC by the deadline, the professor will be required to accommodate their student(s) according to the student’s Letter of Accommodations (LOA) or allow the student to schedule the exam for a later date to follow scheduling policy.

If the exam is not received by the deadline, the TAC will notify the student and the instructor. This notification will indicate that the exam is canceled here at the TAC due to failure to receive the exam and that the professor and student should follow up with each other immediately to reschedule and provide the accommodations. Students can also contact their Access Specialist. From this point, the TAC is no longer responsible for administering the exam.

Students are requested to schedule exams at least a week in advance. If the student schedules after this, the student is taking the risk that the TAC will not receive the exam in time. Students will not be allowed to schedule an exam after 8:00am TWO (2) business day before the exam date as there is not enough time to get the exam from the professor, so arrangements must be made through the instructor.

If the instructor is having a pop quiz, the instructor must send the exam to the TAC by 3:00pm one (1) business day prior to when they will allow the student to take the exam. The student will have an exception and be allowed to schedule the exam with the TAC the same day or less than the one business day requirement time allowed to schedule the exam in the TAC. The instructor could also send confirmation to the TAC that the student has permission to take the exam.

Thank you for your cooperation and as always, please feel free to email us with any questions or concerns. It is our goal by implementing this new policy to provide everyone involved, including DRES students and the TAC Staff, with a less stressful and a positive experience while administering and taking exams in the TAC.