ODS STUDENT SYSTEM

(Testing Accommodation System)

Testing accommodations can be provided for a student with a disability by the Office of Disability Services (ODS) or by a professor or her/his designee. If a professor chooses to administer an exam, they are responsible for providing the student with the requested accommodations. Testing at the ODS is a privilege, not a right. Students who choose to coordinate testing arrangements with the ODS must follow the procedures outlined below.

Request to Take a Regular Exam or Quiz During a Long Semester

1) Visit the ODS Student System at and follow the link to the “Testing Accommodation System” to complete an on-line request to take an exam or quiz at the ODS. A separate request must be submitted for each exam or quiz.
2) The ODS will not administer any exam with accommodations other than those which have been determined appropriate by the ODS based on a student’s disability documentation. If a professor chooses to allow additional accommodations, the exam will need to be administered by the professor.
3) An on-line request for all exams and quizzes must be completed at least 48 hours before the time each test or quiz is scheduled to begin (does not include weekends). This will enable the ODS to ensure that students have access to all of the necessary accommodations.
4) A professor has the right to determine the length of any regular exam.
5) The completed on-line request will be automatically forwarded for approval to the professor of the course.

• If a professor “Denies” or “Conditionally Approves” the testing request, they can include a note on the request as to why they did not approve the request.

• ODS will notify the student via their Texas State email address of any changes the professor has made, and schedule accordingly.

• If the student still has questions about the exam arrangements, it is their responsibility to discuss their concerns with the professor.

6) The testing times from which the student will select in the “Testing Accommodation System” are based on room and proctor availability.
7) The ODS will only administer exams during the long semester at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. If double time or more is an approved accommodation, the 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 2:00 p.m. test time should be selected.
8) If you are unable to take an exam on the same day and time as the exam is scheduled for in class, be sure to put an explanation on the request as to why you are requesting a different day or time. For example, “Professor Smith, my extended for your exam would conflict with my next class therefore I am requesting to start my exam at 8:00 a.m. instead of 11:00 a.m.”
9) If the professor allows additional materials for an exam (e.g., calculator, notes, book, etc.) the student must list these materials in the “Special Instructions” box when submitting a request.

• All additional materials must be approved by the professor prior to the day of the test.

• The ODS will not attempt to contact the professor for approval of materials at the time of the test.

Request to Take a Final Exam During a Long Semester

1) Requests for fall and spring final exams must be submitted one week prior to the last regular class day of the semester. This will enable ODS to ensure that student’s have access to all of the necessary accommodations for the final exam.
2) The ODS will only administer final exams at 7:30 a.m. (time slot 7:30 - 11:15 a.m.), 11:15 a.m. (time slot 11:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), and 3:00 p.m. (time slot 3:00 - 6:45 p.m.). If double time or more is an approved accommodation, either the 7:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. test time should be selected.
3) If a student is unable to take a final exam that has been scheduled at the ODS for any reason and the date of the exam needs be rescheduled, the student can either 1) make new arrangements to take the final exam with their professor, 2) or take the final exam at the ODS on the last day of final exams at the 7:30 a.m. time slot..
4) A professor has the right to determine the length of any final exam.

Mini-semesters and Summer Semesters

1) The 48 hour rule to request to take a regular or final exam at the ODS applies to the mini semester and both summer semesters.
2) The ODS will only administer exams during the mini or summer semesters at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., or 3:00 p.m.

Changes to a Test Request

1) If an exam date, exam time or accommodation needs to be changed on a request that has already been submitted, the ODS will require written or verbal approval from the professor.
2) The student will need to email the changes to the ODS as soon as possible.
3) The student does not need to submit a new request showing these changes, unless informed to do so by the ODS Testing Coordinator. Do not submit a new request without first checking with ODS.

How to Check the Status of an Exam

1) After the student submits the on-line request they will be able to check the status of their exam by logging onto the “Testing Accommodation System” (https://www.studentafairs.txstate.edu/ods/).
2) Look for the “Testing” tab and select “My Scheduled Tests”.
3) Students will be able to view all exams or quizzes scheduled in order to confirm the request has been successfully submitted, approved by the professor, and scheduled. To see the details of each test request click on the folder icon.

Day of the Exam

1) Students should arrive at ODS at least 10 minutes before their scheduled exam time.
2) If a student arrives more than 5 minutes after they are scheduled to start an exam, they will be unable to take the test at that time.

• The student will need to reschedule the exam and have the new request approved by the professor, or

• The student may take the exam with the rest of their class.

3) Check-in at the front desk to verify you are here to take a test.
4) Have all of the materials you will need for your exam out and ready.
5) An ODS proctor will come to the ODS lobby, call the student’s first name and walk the student to the appropriate testing room.

6) Students will need to be sure the following materials are left outside the testing room:

• Backpacks

• Heavy winter coats

• Hats

• Notebooks or Notes (unless approved by professor)

• Textbooks (unless approved by professor)

• Scratch paper (unless provided by ODS)

• All food or drink, except for bottled water with a lid

• Cell phones or pagers (all turned off)

• PDAs, MP3s, or laptops

** Students are not allowed to leave the testing room after an exam has begun unless permission is granted by the ODS Testing Coordinator. **

7) All students taking exams will be monitored via closed circuit video camera. The exam will not be taped but the proctor will monitor the exam from outside the testing room.
8) The proctor will ensure the student’s approved accommodations listed on the testing request are followed.
9) Proctors do not make decisions regarding the testing environment or accommodations.

• If the student has questions or concerns during an exam, please have the proctor contact the ODS Testing Coordinator.

10) If the proctor is a scribe, they will only write what is dictated by the student.
11) If the proctor is a reader, they will only read what is written on the exam.

Returning the Completed Exam

1) A student will not be allowed to leave the ODS with an exam.
2) The ODS will return the completed exam to the professor’s departmental office in a sealed envelope the same day it is taken or no later than the following business day.

Texas State Honor Code

“Texas-State University-San Marcos expects the students to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond reproach. Students found in violation of the Honor Code are subject to disciplinary action. Violation of the Honor Code includes but is not limited to cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion and the abuse of resource materials.”

1) The ODS will report any student who is suspected of academic dishonesty while testing at ODS.
2) “Cheating” means engaging in any of the following activities:

• Copying from another student's test paper, laboratory report, other report, or computer files, data listings, or programs.

• Using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test.

• Collaborating, without authorization, with another person during an examination or in preparing academic work.

• Knowingly, and without authorization, using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, soliciting, copying or possessing, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.

• Substituting for another student or permitting another person to substitute for oneself in taking an examination or preparing academic work.

• Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or obtain information about an unadministered test.

• Purchasing, or otherwise acquiring and submitting as one's own work any research paper or other writing assignment prepared by an individual or firm. This section does not apply to the typing of the rough or final versions of an assignment by a professional typist.

** If a student is suspected of any of the above actions while taking an exam at the ODS, the ODS will immediately stop the exam and attempt to contact the professor of the course. The ODS will also complete a written report of the incident. The student involved will have an opportunity to include a statement in the report, which will be returned with the exam to the professor. The professor will determine if the Texas State Honor Code was violated and whether any academic penalty will be assessed. **