The Testing Center Policies below provide important information for students using the Office of Disability Services (ODS) Testing Center at Georgia Tech. These guidelines cover scheduling, appointments, and testing procedures to help ensure a consistent and accessible testing experience. Students should review these policies prior to their exam appointments. If you have any questions or challenges scheduling your exams, please contact dstesting@gatech.edu.
Testing Center Hours of Operation
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) Testing Center regular hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each academic term.
Exam Hours by Academic Term
*Exam hours refer to the timeframe in which exams are administered.
- Fall and Spring Semesters: 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
- Summer Semester: 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
- Final Exam Period Extended Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Testing Center Closures
The Testing Center will be closed to walk-ins, drop-ins, and non-emergent testing appointments during Final Instructional Days and Reading Days before final exams start. All students, faculty, and staff with questions or concerns should email DSTesting@gatech.edu. The Testing Center will be closed on all institutional holidays, breaks, and campus closures (e.g., inclement weather).
Scheduling Your Appointment
The Office of Disability Services advises all students to schedule their exam appointments at the beginning of each semester.
Scheduling Appointments in AIM
Students must have an appointment to take an exam. Students must register for an appointment through AIM at least five (5) business days in advance for regular exams and at least 30 days in advance for finals. Deadlines for midterms and finals will be clearly marked on the Office of Disability Services website and AIM portals. Students are responsible for adhering to these deadlines. Students with injuries that occur after the deadline that are seeking services from Disability Services will review options with ODS staff. No guaranteed access to the testing center can be granted.
Students are expected to schedule their exams at the same time as the class, unless doing so impacts attendance for another course or would fall outside of the Testing Center’s operating hours. If a conflict exists, the student must consult with the instructor prior to scheduling the exam.
When students schedule an exam through AIM, they will receive a confirmation email. If a confirmation email is not received, the exam is not scheduled. Please do not assume the exam was scheduled. Return to AIM to schedule the exam again. Students should continue to check AIM and email reminders for additional confirmation or any changes to appointment bookings.
Final Exams
Students must schedule final exams through AIM at least 30 days in advance of the first day of final exams. The available blocks for finals are 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:45 p.m. Students may not schedule final exams that will occur during reading periods or final instructional class days.
In the event a student who has an accommodation for extended test time has two final exams in one day, the second exam may, at the election of the student, be considered a conflicted examination. The student is responsible for contacting the professor of the course that needs to be rescheduled before the scheduling deadline if they plan to utilize the Testing Center for that exam.
Late Appointment Requests
Late appointment requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Testing Center staff and depending upon availability.
Makeup Policy
Makeup examinations administered through the ODS Testing Center require a minimum of two (2) business days’ advance notice for scheduling. ODS does not schedule exams for the same business day or next business day.
Testing Day Policies & Expectations
Identification Requirements
Students must show a valid form of identification upon check-in. Preferred identification is a GT Buzzcard. Acceptable identification also includes a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or a state-approved identification card.
Check-In and Testing Time
Students should check prior to the start of their scheduled exam. Upon check-in, the proctor will provide the student with their start time (i.e., when they can begin their exam) and stop time (i.e., when they must stop their exam). Students are responsible for keeping their testing time. The allotted exam time will not be adjusted for questions or restroom breaks. Students should arrive up to 30 minutes prior to their start time for final exams, 10 minutes for midterms, and 10 minutes for regular exams.
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive 20 minutes or more after their scheduled exam appointment time are considered late. In these cases, the proctor will contact the instructor to determine whether the student may still begin the exam. Students may not begin their exam until there is approval from the professor or TA. If approved, the student will forfeit any missed time and must submit the exam at the originally scheduled end time. At the instructor’s discretion, the student may be allowed to reschedule for a later date to receive their full testing time. Please note that ODS does not schedule exams for the same business day or next business day.
Personal and Medical Needs
Upon arriving for an appointment, students should inform the proctor of any personal or medical needs that may arise. During their exam, students should notify the proctor immediately should they encounter difficulties.
Testing Center Environment
Proctoring and Surveillance
Students are proctored by assigned proctors for the duration of their exam. In addition to proctors, there may also be cameras assigned to testing locations. These cameras are monitored by members of the ODS staff and the Office of Information Technology. Recordings are kept for up to 30 days.
Testing Materials
No testing materials are allowed outside of the testing area at any given time. Only items listed by the instructor may be permitted for testing. Unauthorized materials including cellphones, smartwatches, electronic earphones and headphones, purses, other electronic devices, and bookbags must be stored in a designated area. If a student is found to have prohibited item(s), the exam may be suspended, and the incident will be reported to the instructor.
Proctors may collect note sheets (or notecards) after a student has completed their exam. Students who would like their note sheets/cards returned should make the request by email. Generally, such requests can be fulfilled in one business day.
Scratch Paper
Scratch paper can be provided upon request. Students may not use their own scratch paper. The need for specialty paper will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, when requested in advance.
Personal Belongings
All personal belongings should be left at the front of the room for the duration of the exam. There are no designated storage locations for personal belongings within the testing center. The ODS Testing Center is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
Food and Drinks
Light snacks may be allowed. Food packages should be opened before entering the testing area so that it does not disturb others. All beverages must be in a clear or transparent container with a lid or cap. Should the container not meet the requirements, students will be asked to leave the beverage at the front of the room or in a bookbag and will not be permitted to take the beverage to their seat. Please note that some snacks may be restricted due to allergens or irritants.
During Your Exam
Questions During the Exam
Students who have questions regarding their exam may ask the proctor to contact the instructor. Proctors will relay the question to the professor or TA but cannot guarantee a timely response.
Restroom and Other Breaks
Students must inform the proctor prior to any type of break. Students may not leave with their belongings, including bookbags, purses, or electronic devices. Exceptions may include water bottles, snacks, loose change, and sanitary or hygienic items only when permitted by the proctor. Breaks longer than 10 minutes may be reported to the instructor. Students must inform the proctors before they leave and check out with the proctors before they leave. Students will sign out with their name and time and must leave their Buzzcard with the proctor upon exiting the room. When students return, they will sign back in with the time they return and retrieve their Buzzcard. No more than two students can leave the testing space at one time.
Academic Integrity
The Office of Disability Services adheres to the Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code. If a student is seen with unauthorized materials or is suspected of cheating, their instructor will be notified, their exam will be collected by a member of the ODS staff, and the student will not be allowed to continue their exam. ODS reserves the right to notify the Office of Student Integrity when deemed necessary. It is the instructor's responsibility to then determine the next steps, up to and including turning the incident over to the Office of Student Integrity.
Violations of academic integrity include but are not limited to the following: giving or receiving unauthorized assistance of any kind, using aids not authorized in writing by the instructor, attempting to take a test for someone, failing to follow test regulations or instructions from Testing Center staff, causing a disturbance of any kind, removing or attempting to remove exam materials or scratch paper from the testing areas, sharing a calculator with examinees, sharing notes with examinees, and talking during an exam.