Testing Accommodations

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations are modifications to the testing conditions for students with hearing, visual, motor limitations or those who have learning, cognitive, or psychological disabilities that significantly affect the ability to demonstrate their mastery of course material under normal testing conditions. Please contact the DSO if you have difficulty arranging your testing accommodations. 

Implementing Testing Accommodations

1. Distribute your accommodation letters and discuss your accommodations with your professors. It is important that you request your accommodation letters and discuss your specific accommodations with your professors at least one week before your first test/quiz. Please visit this page for more information about distributing your accommodation letters.  

2. Each professor will decide where and how your testing accommodations will be implemented. 

a. Your professor may provide your testing accommodations within the classroom or within their office or department.  If this is the case, please follow the instructions provided by your professor. 

b. If your professor administers their exams and quizzes electronically through D2L or another online platform, the professor will adjust the test time directly in the testing software or platform.  If you need other accommodations for your online tests or quizzes (i.e. reader or scribe), please contact the DSO Testing Center at .

c. Your professor may request that you take your tests and quizzes in the DSO Testing Center which is located in room 205 of the Stratton Administration Center.  If you are taking exams in the DSO Testing Center, you must make a reservation by completing the DSO Test Request Form in MyKU at least three days before each test or quiz.  Below are the instructions for completing the DSO Test Request Form.

-  Log into MyKU

-  Click on the “KU Academic Services” tile

-  Click on DSO Test Request Form

-  Follow instructions on the form to submit your request

-  If you have any questions, please contact the Testing Center at 484-646-5945

Please note:  All tests must be taken during your scheduled class time, in one testing session, unless prior written permission is provided by your professor. The Testing Center is open between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Please work with your professor, if needed, to adjust the start time of your test to ensure that you complete the assessment by 4:30 pm.

A student ID or photo identification is required when you check into the DSO Testing Center. You will also be required to turn in your cell phone and/or any wearable technology, such as a smartwatch, prior to testing.  If any unapproved items are discovered in the testing room, the item(s) will be removed immediately and your professor will be notified.  See the full list of DSO Testing Policies below. 

3. Email or speak with your professor at least 3 days before each test to ensure that your test accommodations are in place.  Please be aware that if you do not notify your professor in advance of each exam, you may not be able to utilize your accommodations. 

4.  If you are approved for extended test time, you will also be approved for early registration in subsequent semesters.  Early registration will allow you to arrange your class schedule with sufficient breaks to allow for test administration.   

The DSO Testing Center

Location: 205 Stratton Administration Center
Phone: 484-646-5945

The DSO Testing Center administers exams with faculty approval for students who have testing accommodations. The DSO Testing Center has eight individual testing rooms and a small group testing area with an additional five desks.  All testing areas are monitored by a camera.  

Additional rooms and proctors are scheduled during high-volume testing periods and final exams.

DSO Testing Center Policies 

  1. Students must have the approval of their professor and must complete the Test Request Form in MyKU at least 3 days prior to each exam.   

  2. All tests must be taken during the student’s scheduled class time, in one testing session, unless prior written permission is provided by the professor.   Please note: The Testing Center closes at 4:30 p.m. Students who have afternoon exams should work with their professors to adjust the start time of the exam to ensure that the exam session is completed by 4:30 pm.

  3. Students must arrive at the DSO Testing Center on time for their scheduled exam session.  No additional time will be added to the student’s approved test time limits to compensate for tardiness. The DSO Testing Center will not start an exam for any students arriving at or after the end of the scheduled class period.  Students will be referred to the professor to discuss options for re-scheduling/re-taking the exam.

  4. Students who are late or miss an exam due to an emergency, will be referred to the professor to discuss options for re-scheduling/re-taking the exam.  The DSO will require written permission from the professor to re-schedule the exam.

  5. A student ID or photo ID is required when students check into the DSO Testing Center. The test proctor will assign the student a locker to securely store their belongings. Lockers are located in the hallway outside of the DSO Testing Center.

  6. Please note that students must store all cell phones, wristwatches and any wearable technology prior to starting the testing session in their assigned locker. All book bags and other items must also be stored in the student's locker. These items will remain in the locker until the test is completed; the test proctor will maintain the locker key and student's photo ID until the test is complete. At that time, students may retrieve their locker key from the test proctor to retrieve their belongings from their locker. Students must then return the locker key to the test proctor, at which time the proctor will return the student's photo ID. 

  7. Students who wish to have a clock in the testing room may request one. Otherwise, only pre-approved items will be permitted in the testing room.  If any unapproved items are discovered, the item(s) will be removed immediately and the professor will be notified.  The consequences for having unapproved items in the testing room will be determined by the professor.