Testing Process Overview
Some students registered with the Office of Accessibility are eligible for exam-related accommodations such as extended time or use of assistive technology. For those students, space may be reserved at the Office of Accessibility (Room N360 in the Main Building) to take the exam.
This section is devoted to providing detailed information on the office’s test-taking policies and procedures. Following is a video that provides an overview of the process for scheduling exams with the office.
Exam Scheduling
Once a student is approved for a test accommodation, arrangements must be made to implement the approved accommodation.
When a faculty member is unable to implement an approved testing accommodation on their own (e.g. to proctor an extended time accommodation), the Office of Accessibility will make arrangements to administer a proctored exam in Room N360 or in a reserved classroom.
To schedule a proctored exam at the Office of Accessibility, students and faculty must complete a Release of Examination form. This form facilitates an exam reservation and a faculty member’s release of their examination to the Office of Accessibility for administration.
Because of limited testing space, the Release of Examination form must be completed at least 3 business days prior to the student’s testing date. Business days are weekdays, Monday through Friday, and do not include weekends or holidays. This time window allows for the Office of Accessibility to reserve a space, schedule a proctor, and obtain detailed information about how to securely obtain and return the exam.
Rescheduling Policy
If an exam needs to be moved or rescheduled to an alternative day/time:
Students with accommodations may move or reschedule an exam with their professor’s permission. Students must contact their professor and if they approve, forward their professor’s written / emailed approval of the alternate date to the Office of Accessibility at accessibility@bmcc.cuny.edu.
If there is space and proctor coverage available, the alternate exam date will be approved. Otherwise, the student must make exam arrangements directly with their professor.
At the Exam Site
Student Check-In
- Students must leave all unapproved material on the hooks and/or mini-lockers provided. Mobile devices will be stored in the office’s numbered pocket chart.
- Students must arrive on time. Extra time will not be granted for late arrivals and students are asked to sign an agreement acknowledging an unchanged exam end time.
- Students who arrive more than 15 minutes after the standard exam start time will not be allowed to start the exam without instructor permission.
Allowed Materials
Students are responsible for knowing what materials are allowed for their exams. Students should pay careful attention to the type of calculator allowed, if any.
Only covered drinks are permitted in the exam room to avoid damage to equipment in the testing space. Quiet snacks (unwrapped in clear food bag) are only permitted if it is part of the student’s disability-related exam accommodation.
Prohibited Items
- NO electronic devices of any kind, including cell phones, smart watches, calculators, cameras, fitness trackers, etc.
- NO wired or wireless headphones/headsets/ear buds unless student is taking a listening exam (ordinary foam/silicone/gel ear plugs [without a cord or string] are permitted)
- NO notes, papers, books, study material in any format or media, dictionaries or any other written material
- NO luggage, laptop bags/sleeves, handbags, purses, wallets, backpacks, briefcases, etc.
Exam Breaks
Breaks should be kept as brief as possible, and no longer than 5 minutes.
Students must be supervised at all times except during restroom breaks. At no other time will students be allowed unsupervised breaks.
Proctors will record the time students spend away from the exam room. Frequent and/or long breaks will be reported to the instructor.
Student Questions
The Office of Accessibility requests contact information from professors or section leaders for any questions that may arise during an exam.
Proctors will attempt to contact instructors via phone and/or email. If the student can’t reach the instructor, we encourage them to write the question on the exam and immediately email the instructor after the exam to follow up and copy in their Accessibility Specialist.
Completing an Exam
All exam materials used during the exam, including any notes and scrap paper, will be collected and given to the instructor.
Requests for photocopied exams or answer sheets will be denied.
Testing and Academic Honesty
Exam proctors who observe suspicious behavior during a quiz or exam must provide a written report and all pertinent documentation to the instructor.
Any instances of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported to instructors.
Testing Accommodations Agreement
Before sitting for exams at the Office of Accessibility, students complete a Testing Accommodations Agreement to acknowledge their responsibilities as test-takers at the Office of Accessibility.
For students who reserve space at the Office of Accessibility to take accommodated exams, they agree to:
- Return the completed Release of Examination form, signed by the instructor, no later than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled examination.
- Notify the Office of Accessibility of any changes regarding the scheduled examination. The Office of Accessibility will confirm any changes with the instructor.
- Notify the Office of Accessibility if they will be late or sick and unable to take the scheduled examination. Please note that make-up exams will only be given with the permission of the instructor.
- Follow the procedures for testing accommodations to ensure the integrity of the examination and testing accommodations.
Students who take accommodated exams at the Office of Accessibility understand that:
- The Office of Accessibility is fully committed to upholding CUNY’s policy on academic integrity. Cheating or any other form of academic dishonesty is prohibited. When a student is caught cheating while taking an examination with the Office of Accessibility, the exam will be stopped, and the instructor will be informed of the incident.
- They may not use any mobile phones, smart phones, the internet or any other unapproved technological devices during the exam.
- They may not leave the testing area during the exam without permission
- They may not talk or socialize during the exam.
- They must arrive at the Office of Accessibility at the scheduled exam time. Unexcused lateness will result in a deduction from a student’s extended time or the exam may be re-scheduled but only with the instructor’s permission.
- Un-proctored online exams you do not need to be scheduled with our office. After completion of the Accommodation Letter Request form, students are advised to email their professor 3-5 days before the exam to remind them of their extended time
- For in-person, proctored exams there are two ways students may schedule their exam (3-7 business days before exam):
- Complete a Release of Examination Form which must be completed by student and professor and returned to Office of Accessibility to be scheduled
- Complete the Office of Accessibility’s online scheduling form
