Student ODS Testing Center Agreement
As per JMU policy, instructors are responsible for providing proper testing accommodations for students registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and have testing accommodations. The ODS Testing Center provides testing accommodations for students registered with the Office of Disability Services with approved testing accommodations when accommodations cannot reasonably be provided by the instructor or academic department.
The Testing Center operates as a service to instructors and students and strives to provide a secure, accessible, and equitable testing environment that supports academic integrity while ensuring approved accommodations are implemented appropriately.
Use of the ODS Testing Center is a shared responsibility among students, instructors, and ODS staff. Students utilizing the Testing Center are expected to comply with the policies and procedures outlined in this agreement.
Testing space is limited, and appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The ODS Testing Center is not available for students without approved ODS testing accommodations or for students seeking an alternate testing location for reasons unrelated to their approved accommodations.
Student Responsibilities
Students using the ODS Testing Center are responsible for actively coordinating their testing accommodations each semester and following all Testing Center policies and procedures.
Students are expected to:
- Meet with each instructor at the beginning of the semester to discuss approved testing accommodations and how exams will be administered.
- Work with instructors to determine whether testing accommodations can be provided within the academic department before requesting to use the ODS Testing Center.
- Discuss exam scheduling with instructors to ensure sufficient time is available when extended testing time or other scheduling accommodations are approved.
- Submit exam booking requests through the Accommodate Student Portal by the published deadlines.
- Monitor their JMU email and Accommodate account for communications regarding testing appointments.
- Notify ODS promptly if they experience difficulty arranging testing accommodations with an instructor.
- Follow all ODS Testing Center policies and staff instructions while using the Testing Center.
Scheduling Exams
Students are responsible for requesting testing appointments through the Accommodate Student Portal for each exam they wish to take in the ODS Testing Center.
Scheduling Deadlines
- Exam booking requests must be submitted through the Accommodate Student Portal at least three (3) business days before the scheduled exam date.
- Requests submitted after the deadline may not be accommodated.
- Final exam reservations have an earlier deadline. During finals week, the reservation deadline is typically approximately one week before the start of final exams. The official deadline will be posted in Accommodate and on the ODS website when final exam reservations open later in the semester.
- Students are responsible for submitting final exam reservation requests by the published finals deadline.
- ODS requires sufficient time to prepare for administering each exam. Exams are administered by appointment only. Walk-in or day-of testing is not available.
Testing Hours
Students receiving extended testing time or other scheduling accommodations are responsible for working with their instructor to ensure their exam can begin and end within the Testing Center's operating hours. Exams may not begin before opening or extend beyond closing.
Check-In Procedures
Students should arrive at the ODS Testing Center 5–10 minutes before their scheduled testing appointment to allow sufficient time for check-in, storing belongings, receiving instructions, and getting settled.
Testing appointments begin at the scheduled appointment time, not when the student completes the check-in process. Students who arrive at or after their scheduled appointment time will use their allotted testing time to complete check-in and will forfeit any testing time spent checking in, storing belongings, receiving instructions, and getting settled. The exam end time will not be extended.
Upon arrival, students must:
- Check in with Testing Center staff before entering the testing area.
- Place all personal belongings in a designated locker or secure storage location before entering the testing room.
- Bring only the materials specifically authorized by the instructor or approved as an ODS accommodation into the testing room.
The following items must be stored unless explicitly permitted by the instructor or approved by ODS as an accommodation:
- Cell phones and other electronic devices
- Smartwatches and wearable technology
- Earbuds and headphones
- Tablets and laptops
- Backpacks, purses, and bags
- Coats and jackets
- Notes, books, or other unauthorized materials
Students may not study during their scheduled testing appointment, including while waiting to begin an exam.
ODS is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property.
Late Arrivals
Students are expected to arrive early enough to complete the check-in process before their scheduled appointment time.
Students who arrive after their scheduled appointment time will forfeit the testing time that has elapsed. The scheduled end time of the exam will remain unchanged unless otherwise approved by the instructor or ODS.
Students who do not arrive 20 minutes or more after their scheduled appointment time will be considered a no-show unless prior arrangements have been made with ODS.
When a student is considered a no-show:
- The instructor will be notified.
- The student must work with their instructor to determine whether the exam may be rescheduled.
- If a new testing appointment is approved, the student must submit a new exam booking request through the Accommodate Student Portal and comply with all applicable scheduling deadlines.
Cancellations & Rescheduling
If a student needs to cancel or reschedule a testing appointment, they are responsible for notifying both their instructor and the ODS Testing Center as soon as possible.
To request a new testing appointment, students must:
- Obtain instructor approval.
- Submit a new exam booking request through the Accommodate Student Portal.
- Comply with the three (3) business day scheduling deadline unless an exception is approved by ODS.
Rescheduling an exam is not guaranteed and is subject to instructor approval, Testing Center availability, and compliance with ODS scheduling policies.
Illness
Our office provides accommodations to students with a diverse array of disabilities, including compromised immune systems. We strive to provide a safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff who visit our office. Therefore, all exams for students who are visibly ill or report that they are ill will be rescheduled. If a student comes in to take an exam and is ill or becomes ill, they will be sent away with instructions to reschedule with the professor.
University or ODS Closures
ODS is closed when the University is closed. If the university or ODS closes due to inclement weather or another unexpected event, affected testing appointments will be canceled.
Students should work with their instructor and ODS to reschedule the exam as soon as practical.
Testing Room Rules
To promote a secure, accessible, and reduced-distraction testing environment, students are expected to comply with the following rules throughout their testing appointment:
- Follow all instructions provided by Testing Center staff.
- Remain in the assigned testing area unless authorized by Testing Center staff.
- Maintain a quiet testing environment by keeping conversations to a minimum and using a low voice when communication with staff is necessary.
- Be respectful of other students by avoiding behaviors that may be disruptive or distracting.
- Refrain from wearing heavily scented products that may interfere with another student's testing environment.
- Only use materials specifically approved by the instructor or permitted as part of an ODS-approved accommodation.
- Do not access or retrieve personal belongings during the testing appointment unless authorized by Testing Center staff.
Exam Issues, Questions, and Concerns
Students are responsible for promptly notifying ODS proctors of any questions, concerns, or apparent issues with their exam or testing accommodations. This includes, but is not limited to, missing or incorrect exam materials, missing pages or questions, problems accessing an online exam, incorrect exam settings or time limits, missing approved accommodations, or discrepancies between the exam and the testing instructions provided.
Students should notify a proctor as soon as an issue is identified and, whenever possible, before continuing with the affected portion of the exam so that ODS staff have an opportunity to investigate and attempt to resolve the concern during the testing appointment.
ODS staff will make reasonable efforts to address issues reported during the testing appointment. Issues that are not reported to ODS staff during the exam may not be able to be verified or resolved after the testing appointment has ended.
Restroom Breaks
Students may leave the testing room only to use the restroom unless another approved accommodation applies.
When leaving for a restroom break, students must:
- Notify a Testing Center staff member.
- Leave all testing materials at their workstation unless otherwise instructed.
- Sign out before leaving and sign back in upon returning.
Restroom breaks are intended to be brief. Breaks exceeding five (5) minutes may be reported to the instructor unless otherwise permitted by an approved accommodation.
Completing the Exam
ODS Testing Staff will provide each student with a coversheet indicating their scheduled exam end time. Students are responsible for monitoring their own time and ensuring that they stop working at the stated end time.
When the allotted testing time has expired, students must immediately stop working and submit all exam materials to Testing Center staff. Continuing to work beyond the stated end time or failing to surrender exam materials when instructed may be reported to the course instructor and addressed in accordance with applicable university policies.
Academic Integrity & Exam Security
The ODS Testing Center is committed to maintaining a secure testing environment that protects the integrity of examinations and supports the James Madison University Honor Code.
Students are expected to complete all examinations independently and to comply with the instructor's testing instructions and all Testing Center policies.
The following behaviors are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the instructor or approved as an ODS accommodation:
- Accessing or using unauthorized electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, or other wearable technology.
- Possessing or using unauthorized notes, books, papers, or other reference materials.
- Accessing unauthorized websites, AI tools, search engines, or software.
- Photographing, recording, copying, or reproducing any portion of an examination.
- Removing or attempting to remove testing materials from the Testing Center.
- Communicating with another individual during an examination without authorization.
- Accessing personal belongings during the testing appointment without staff authorization.
- Any other behavior that is inconsistent with the instructor's testing instructions or Testing Center policies.
Testing Center staff monitor the testing environment to help maintain exam security. If staff observe behavior that may be inconsistent with Testing Center policies or the instructor's testing instructions, they may intervene to stop the behavior, document the incident, and notify the course instructor.
Testing Center staff do not determine whether an academic integrity violation has occurred. The course instructor is responsible for reviewing reported incidents and determining whether further action is appropriate under university policies.
Failure to comply with these expectations may result in interruption or termination of the testing appointment, notification of the course instructor, and referral through applicable university processes when appropriate.
Students are expected to comply with instructions from Testing Center staff during any reported testing irregularity. Questions or concerns regarding a reported incident should be directed to the course instructor after the testing appointment has concluded.
Failure to Comply with Testing Center Policies
Students are expected to comply with all ODS Testing Center policies and the reasonable instructions of Testing Center staff. Failure to comply may interfere with ODS's ability to provide testing accommodations in a secure, equitable, and reduced-distraction environment.
Examples of noncompliance may include, but are not limited to:
- Refusing to follow instructions from Testing Center staff.
- Refusing to store prohibited items before or during an exam.
- Accessing personal belongings without staff authorization.
- Using unauthorized materials or electronic devices.
- Refusing to stop behavior that violates Testing Center policies.
- Refusing to surrender testing materials when instructed.
- Disruptive, abusive, or threatening behavior toward Testing Center staff or other students.
When a student does not comply with Testing Center policies, staff may:
- Provide additional instructions or reminders regarding the applicable policy.
- Delay the start of the testing appointment until the issue has been resolved.
- Remove unauthorized materials or require prohibited items to be stored before testing continues.
- Involve a Testing Center supervisor.
- Interrupt or terminate the testing appointment when necessary to maintain the security, safety, or integrity of the testing environment.
- Notify the course instructor of the incident.
- Refer the matter through applicable university processes when appropriate.
Concerns regarding Testing Center staff or policies may be submitted to ODSexam@jmu.edu for review.
Questions & Concerns
Students with questions about Testing Center policies, procedures, or their testing appointments are encouraged to contact the ODS Testing Center as soon as possible. Many concerns can be resolved before the scheduled testing appointment.
Acknowledgement
By using the ODS Testing Center, students acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with the policies and procedures outlined in this agreement.
Failure to comply with these policies may affect ODS’s ability to provide testing accommodations as scheduled and may result in appropriate action consistent with university policy.
