If your professor is unable to provide your accommodations on your Spring 2026 final exam and you need to use the ODS Testing Center, please review the guidance below carefully, as it contains essential details for scheduling and seating arrangements. For questions about JMU policies around providing reasonable accommodations, please reference Policy 1331 and the Student Testing Agreement (our policy and procedures).
For more detailed guidance on Accommodate, please review the Student Guide for Scheduling Exams. If you need additional assistance navigating Accommodate, feel free to reach out to us at odsexam@jmu.edu to set up a phone or Zoom consultation.
Scheduling
Deadline
The last day to submit a reservation request in Accommodate to take your final exams with ODS is Wednesday, April 29th @ 5:00 pm EST. This deadline is in place to allow ODS necessary preparation time for proctoring the high volume of final exams.
- The opportunity to make your reservation requests to take your final exams with ODS will open on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
- Reservation requests must be submitted by Wednesday, April 29th @ 5:00 pm EST for a seat with ODS.
- Please follow the Student Guide to Scheduling ODS Exams for instructions on how to submit your request in Accommodate.
Exam Timing
- When scheduling, make sure that the date and time align with what you and your professor have agreed on. Double-check for accuracy.
- Avoid exam overlaps by reviewing your schedule carefully. If you have a conflict, contact your professors to arrange alternative times.
ODS Exam Schedule
- Exam start times with ODS will differ slightly from JMU’s official schedule in order to effectively provide accommodations. 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. are the only start times available through ODS during Finals Week. ODS will not be offering an evening testing block during Finals Week.
- The available testing blocks are listed below:
- 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Please check with your professor to determine which testing block you should select. It is recommended that you select the block that overlaps with your class’s scheduled exam time, unless you and your professor have agreed on another testing block
Space Availability
Limited Seating
- ODS has limited seating, so if no seats are available at your preferred time, contact your professor to arrange an alternate time that aligns with our available seats.
- Your seat will be reserved at the time that you reserve it in Accommodate. The approval process requires multiple steps from both faculty and ODS staff. This process can sometimes take longer than expected to complete, but it will not affect your reservation unless your professor declines your reservation.
Additional Exam Spaces
- To accommodate the high volume of requests for exam seats, ODS will utilize classroom space in addition to the existing ODS Exam spaces.
- Online Exam Takers: If your exam is online, bring a fully charged laptop as power outlets may be limited. Additionally, check with your professor if headphones or other technology are needed, as ODS cannot provide these.
- Seat reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ODS cannot guarantee that you will be able to test in a specific location.
- Please note that if you do not bring the necessary materials to take your exam, ODS may need to reschedule your exam reservation or refer you to your faculty member to receive your approved exam accommodations.
Reduced-Distraction Environments
- Measures will be taken to maintain a reduced-distraction environment in all exam locations. Please note that we cannot provide a distraction-free environment.
- Sound machines will be in use, and we can provide ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones, and visual dividers upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Exams reservations for ODS will open on Wednesday, April 15th and will close on Wednesday, April 29th at 5:00PM EST. Due to the high volume of exams during Finals Week, all requests to test with ODS must be submitted in Accommodate within the reservation window.
Scheduling for all exams happens through Accommodate, which is located in MyMadison. If this is your first time testing with us and you need help navigating Accommodate, please contact our office for assistance.
When you make an exam reservation request, Accommodate automatically sends an email to your professor to approve the date and time. If your professor does not agree with the date and time you’ve chosen, they may deny your request. This is why it is important to schedule your exam as close as possible to the original exam time.
Accommodations do not require a student to test in ODS testing spaces. If your professor is able to meet your accommodations, they can require you to test with them. Some professors are able to secure additional space for students with accommodations and provide ODS-approved accommodations. Some professors may arrange for you take an exam in their office. If they are not able to meet all of the accommodations listed on your Accommodation Letter for the course, you would need to schedule an exam with ODS through Accommodate.
To maintain a reduced‑distraction testing environment and provide extended time, ODS uses an adjusted Finals Week schedule with two exam blocks: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. We recommend talking with your professor to determine which time block is best for your exam. In most cases, you should choose the block that overlaps as closely as possible with your class’s scheduled exam time.
You will need to speak with your professors to determine which exam is able to be moved to a different day. ODS only has two exam blocks per day during finals week.
Finals Week seating with ODS is limited, so it’s important to schedule your exam as early as possible to secure a seat in the correct time block. If no seats are available at the time you need, please contact your professor to discuss an alternative time to reserve your exam with ODS. In some cases, your professor may choose to provide the exam accommodations listed on your Accommodation Letter directly.
We fill the classrooms at reduced capacity to allow for more space between students. Sound machines will be in use, and we can provide ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones, and visual dividers upon request.
YES. Please speak with your professor to determine what materials will be needed for your final exam. ODS does not have enough computers for every student, so if your exam will be online, you will need to bring your own fully charged laptop. We cannot guarantee that you will have access to an outlet.
Additionally, make sure you have any supplies needed for your exam: calculators, rulers, pencils, headphones for language or music exams, etc. Please note that if you do not bring the necessary materials to take your exam, ODS may need to reschedule your exam reservation or refer you to your faculty member to receive your approved exam accommodations.
The last day to submit a request in Accommodate to take your final exams with ODS is Wednesday, April 29, 2026 @ 5:00 pm. This deadline is in place to allow ODS necessary preparation time for proctoring the high volume of exams. Once the deadline has passed, ODS reservations are no longer available for Spring 2026 final exams and we encourage you to work with your faculty member to receive your approved exam accommodations. If there are extenuating circumstances that have caused the request to be submitted late, please email ODSexam@jmu.edu with a detailed statement regarding these circumstances.
You will receive an email once both your professor and ODS have approved your exam. It’s common for professors to approve exams close to the exam date, and ODS does not control this timing. After your professor approves the request, an ODS Exams Team member will manually move it to the “approved” tab. During Finals Week, our team processes a high volume of requests and reviews exams in order of testing date and time. Please be assured that a seat is secured as soon as you submit your request.
If an issue arises during your exam, notify a proctor immediately. This includes missing materials (such as a Scantron), extended time not appearing in Canvas, or any other concern. Do not wait to report a problem, concern, or question with your exam. ODS can only address issues that are brought to our attention. Because of the high volume of exams, ODS may not be able to reschedule an exam. If rescheduling is not possible, you will need to contact your professor to discuss alternative arrangements to receive your approved accommodations. If you have travel plans or must leave campus shortly after your exam, it is especially important to communicate any issues as early as possible.
