Testing Accommodations

Exams with accommodations are available through the Disability Resources and Educational Services' (DRES) Testing Office with the cooperation of the instructor. Based upon the extent of the student's disability, testing accommodations may include the use of a reader, a writer, appropriate extended time, a distraction-reduced environment, use of tape recorders, computers, and/or adaptive equipment.

Arranging Testing Accommodations

1. At the beginning of the semester, (or well in advance of requesting any accommodation), students must give the instructor a copy of the RFA (Request For Accommodations) letter provided by our office.
2. Students must also meet with their instructor at the beginning of the semester (or well in advance of requesting any accommodation) to discuss their disability and exam accommodations.
3. The instructor is not obligated to allow accommodations unless this is done.

Scheduling an Exam With Accommodations

1. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to schedule their examinations with accommodations to be taken under the direct supervision of their instructors or their designees. If not possible, students may take their exam at the DRES Testing Center.
2. The DRES Testing Center is open from 8:00 - 5:00, Monday through Friday. During finals only, the testing office will be open until 6:00 and open on Saturday.
3. Schedule exams at DRES at least one week in advance!
4. You must schedule all exams by using the DRES Schedule Your Exam website or in person. Exceptions will be made only for disability-related conditions that make signing up on-line very difficult. The "Schedule Your Exams" link can be found in the upper right hand corner of this web page.
5. Exams must be scheduled to be taken at the same time as the regular classroom exams. Exceptions, such as evening exams or when time accommodations extend into another class period, must be arranged with your instructor and the Testing Coordinator on a case by case basis.
6. After an exam is scheduled with DRES, the testing office will contact the instructor and make arrangements to receive the exam. After the test is taken, the testing office will deliver it to the instructor's department office.
7. If you schedule your exams on-line, you can look up your exams by clicking on the "Exam Schedule Look Up" link found in the upper right hand corner on this web page.
8. The exam time begins at the time scheduled; the exam will be terminated at the completion of the approved extended time accommodation. Any variance or adjustment to this must be approved by the Testing Coordinator.
9. CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS OF EXAMS: If a change in scheduling is necessary, (illness, other emergency) students must notify Testing as soon as possible. To reschedule an exam, Testing must have written or verbal permission from the instructor or the exam will be returned to the instructor within 24 hours. Be sure to also contact the Emergency Dean at (217) 333-0050.

Taking the Exam

1. Students must conform to general University policies relative to examinations.
2. Suspected or confirmed cheating will be reported immediately to the instructor.
3. Proctoring will be handled by DRES staff directly or indirectly via a camera surveillance system.
4. During exams, students are not allowed calculators, books, or notes, unless expressly approved by the instructor. You must leave anything that you do not need for the test in the Testing office. This includes coats, purses, backpacks, notebooks, cell phones, etc. No Cell Phones in the Testing Area.
5. Personal tutors, readers, writers, and/or academic aides can only be used in testing when there is a clear, documented need for such an aide and when the aide is approved by both the student's resource facilitator from DRES, and the instructor of the course for which the test is being taken. A proctor hired by DRES will sit in on the testing session.

Some Tips For Using the "Schedule Your Exam" Website

1. When the form asks for your NetID, make sure you do NOT put in your UI Number or your whole email address.
2. If you are taking the exam at the same time as the class, do NOT fill in an alternate time.
3. If you can't take the exam at the regular time, then fill in an alternate date and time. Make sure your alternate date and time have been approved by your instructor before scheduling your exam.
4. After you click the "Submit" button on the form, you have completed the process. You will receive a confirmation via email, but you do not need to respond in any way.