Alternative Testing 

All students using the DSS Testing Center must agree to and abide by the testing center policies listed below. Once a term, students much acknowledge the policies via signing an e-form before they can log into myDSS. 

Testing Center Policies:

By submitting this form, you agree to the following, which are required to test with Disability Services for Students. Please read the following CAREFULLY:

1. I understand that I must qualify for testing accommodations and arrange for my Academic Accommodation Letter to be sent to my instructors by requesting it in myDSS before I take any exams in the DSS Testing Center.

2. I acknowledge that reserving an exam with the DSS Testing Center is solely my responsibility, not that of my instructor. I must submit exam requests at least 3 business days in advance (Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays), as stated in the course syllabi. If I do not meet this deadline, I will not be able to take the exam in the DSS Testing Center. I understand I must submit final exam requests 7 business days (Monday - Friday, not weekends and holidays) in advance, as stated in the course syllabi or I will not be able to take the exam in the DSS Testing Center. 

3. I understand that I am granted one late request per semester. After a late request has been granted for the term, further late requests will be denied per DSS Testing Policy. 

4. I understand that I must take quizzes and exams at the same date/time as scheduled in the course syllabus. Any rescheduled exams require pre-approval from both the instructor and DSS Staff.

5. Students who are more than 15 minutes late for an exam will not be able to take their exam in the DSS Testing Center and will need to contact the instructor to obtain permission to reschedule for another day/time. If a student is late to an exam, the difference between the scheduled time and start time will not be adjusted for the total time. (For example, if the student is 15 minutes late, then he/she will have the same testing time in which to complete the exam).

6. I understand I cannot begin an exam more than 5 minutes early unless  the instructor grants prior permission.

7. I understand it is my responsibility to remind the instructor that I will be taking an exam in the DSS Testing Center.

8.  I understand prior written permission from the instructor is required to utilize additional aides such as notes, books, charts, formula sheets, a calculator (Four-function or Graphing), etc., for the exam. 

9. I understand that only water in a clear bottle may be taken into the testing room. Opaque beverages are permitted but must be kept outside the testing room. No food, candy, gum, or snacks are allowed. Exceptions are allowed for dietary accommodations.

10. I understand backpacks, purses, cell phones, recorders, smart devices (i.e., Apple watches, FitBits), tablets, or computers, Meta/AI glasses, etc., may not be taken into the testing room.

11. I understand I am responsible for bringing my supplies and references, as permitted by the instructor or my accommodations. Supplies such as (e.g., scratch paper, pen/pencils, four-function calculators, scantron, etc.) are provided by the DSS Testing Office in a limited capacity.

12. I understand that scribes are not allowed to answer questions about the meaning of the testing material or how to state an answer on any exam, as well as correct misspellings. Scribes will write exactly what I state.

13. I understand the reader may not define words or phrases.

14. I understand that I will not be able to leave the testing area (e.g., to go to the restroom) during the exam without permission. DSS will designate which restroom may be used  before the start of my examination.

15. I understand that at any time during an exam, the test proctor is allowed to enter the testing room to check materials in my possession.

16. I understand I must be prepared to show valid ID(e.g., TWU ID, driver's License, Passport, etc.) at exam check-in.

Pledge of Academic Dishonesty

If DSS staff suspect academic dishonesty, DSS Staff observations will be reported to the faculty member and the student via email notification. DSS staff will not prevent the student from finishing the exam.

These instructions are designed to guide DSS Professional Staff and Graduate Assistants in administering exams while ensuring that accommodations are followed and exam security is maintained. 

Before You Begin

• DSS staff may not rely on student notes in exam reservations to determine allowed materials or procedures. Only faculty-approved Proctoring Instructions may be used.

• Completed Proctoring Instructions are required to process exam reservations and proctor exams. Exams cannot be processed or administered without them.

• Proctoring instruction requirements are sent to faculty only for students approved for Alternative Testing after the student has submitted their accommodation request for the term. Once accommodations are approved, students may submit exam reservations for each of their courses.

• Students may submit exam reservations even if Proctoring Instructions are not yet completed. However, reservations cannot be processed or approved until the Proctoring Instructions have been completed by the faculty. 

Purpose of Proctoring Instructions 

Proctoring Instructions provide DSS staff with:

• Approved exam materials (e.g., notes, calculators, scratch paper)

• Timing and time-limit expectations.

• Return method preferences (upload via myDSS or delivery/pick-up)

• Special administration instructions from faculty.

• Faculty contact information.

• Faculty's course number and information related to the exam.

Staff may not rely on student notes in the reservation to determine exam materials or procedures. Only faculty-approved proctoring instructions may be used.

Completed Proctoring Instructions are required for DSS staff to process exam reservations and proctor exams. DSS staff cannot process or administer exams without them.

Proctoring Instructions are sent to faculty only for students approved for Alternative Testing once the student has submitted their accommodation request for the term. After accommodations are approved, students may submit exam reservations for each of their courses.

Accessing Proctoring Instructions

• To access Proctoring Instructions: (Visual Guide for Accessing Proctoring Instructions in myDSS)

1. Navigate to myDSS

2. Select “Alternative Testing” from the left-hand menu

3. Under the Requests module, click “List Course Instructions.”

4. Click on the “Refine Search” drop-down menu

5. Enter the course subject, number, and section, or the CRN number of the course or the faculty's first/last name. 

• To access Proctoring Instructions through a student's reservation: (Visual Guide for Accessing Proctoring Instructions through a student's reservation in myDSS.)

1. Navigate to myDSS

2. Select “Alternative Testing” from the left-hand menu

3. Under the Requests module, click “Exams by Day.”

4. Locate the student’s exam based on the date of the exam using the date search, and click “View” on the specified student's reservation.

5. At the top left of the student's reservation, select the Proctoring Instructions section

Staff must review these instructions before approving, scheduling, or administering an exam.

Completing Proctoring Instructions on Behalf of Faculty

Instructors may occasionally request that DSS staff enter or update proctoring instructions on their behalf.

When doing so:

• Only enter information explicitly approved by the instructor (email, phone call, or written/verbal confirmation).

• Do not assume materials or permissions.

• Accurately document all details, including:

  • Allowed materials

  • Exam specifications/passwords

  • Exam duration

  • Return method

  • Additional Comments/Information

  • Exam dates for the term

• Include a Staff Note in the Additional comment section of the return method indicating:

  • “Proctoring instructions entered by DSS staff per instructor approval”

  • Your initials

  • The date the information was entered

Scheduling Exams From the Proctoring Instructions: (Visual Guide for Scheduling Exams From the Proctoring Instructions)

1. Log in to myDSS and select "Alternative Testing" from the left-hand menu.

2. Under the "Requests" module, click "List Course Instructions."

3. Use Refine Search to locate the course by subject/number/section, CRN, or instructor name.

4. Click "View" on the appropriate course instructions.

5. At the top of the page, select "Scheduled Exams."

6. From the "Select Student" drop-down menu, choose the student and click "Schedule New Exam."

• Repeat this step for each student if scheduling multiple exams.

7. If exam dates are already entered by the instructor, select the appropriate exam date.

• Exam details will auto-fill if you use this function.

8.  Complete the remaining fields by:

• Selecting the campus

• Entering the standard exam length (in minutes)

• Selecting the student’s approved accommodations

9. Click "Add Exam Request" to submit.
   
   

Note: Submitting the request will automatically approve the student’s exam reservation. Students who have not submitted an accommodation request for the course will not have their alternative testing accommodation; therefore, they will not populate in the drop-down menu to schedule an exam on their behalf.  

If discrepancies are found, pause scheduling and consult the Testing Coordinator.

Proctoring Instructions: What Staff Must Review Before and During Exams 

• Proctoring Instruction Review: What to monitor during exams 

Before administering an exam, DSS staff must review the Proctoring Instructions to confirm the following:

• Student identification (e.g., TWU ID Number)

• Course Number and Approved Exam Duration

• Reservation Type (e.g., exam, quiz, online exam, online final)

• Approved exam materials (e.g., notes, calculators, scratch paper)

• Exam length and time limits, including any approved extended time

• Actual Start and End Exam Time 

• Authorized accommodations selected for the student

• Special administration instructions provided by the faculty (e.g., online exam password, exam sections)

• Technology or room requirements, if applicable (e.g., Read&Write, Word Processor, CCTV)

• Exam return method (upload via myDSS or delivery/pick-up)

• Faculty contact information and classroom location in case clarification is needed
  
  

DSS Staff must ensure the exam is administered exactly as outlined in the Proctoring Instructions. Student notes, or requests listed in the reservation, may not be used in place of faculty-approved instructions.

Any discrepancies, missing information, or conflicts must be addressed before the exam begins by contacting the Testing Coordinator or the instructor.

The general process for students seeking testing accommodations for state exams is as follows:

• Student registers with DSS

• DSS determines accommodations 

• Accommodations are sent to the testing contact for that exam

Be sure to tell the student that for all standardized exams, we are only verifying that 1. they have a history of accommodations and 2. if their documentation meets the standards of the testing body. We cannot guarantee accommodations for exams outside of TWU. 

TExES - Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (Education Majors)

For the TExES, please use this website to verify accommodations for DSS students taking the exam. 

• Please note: “For candidates seeking alternative testing arrangements, please be aware of the timelines associated with the review and approval process for your request as well as the coordination with a test center that might be needed to arrange your appointment.” 

  • Some students take the practice exam on campus. Please contact Katy Eshelman at keshelman@twu.edu to set up accommodations.

• Students wishing to have a deaf/HoH test exemption andhave further questions/concerns of it's process will be required to contact TEA directly at 512-936-8400 or contact the education department of TWU.

TEAS - Test of Essential Academic Skills (Nursing)

For students already enrolled in DSS, accommodations are sent to the College of Nursing (CON). 

You are going to create a custom document to send to CON. The steps: DSS Testing Center: TEAS Exam Process 

• 1. Open the student profile, click on Overview, and click on “View all custom documents”

  2. Under template, select "Verification of Accommodations at TWU" and click create. 

  3. You can add content or adjust information as needed. If no changes are needed, click on preview. 

  4. At the bottom, select how you want to save the letter:

     1. Save only - this makes it viewable on our end, and the student’s, but the student won’t receive a notification about it. *preferred method

     2. Save document and notify user - the student will receive a notification that a document has been made for them, and they have to download it

     3. Save document and send a copy - this will send a copy to the student. Note: this does not send the letter as an attachment but rather as a separate email. 

  5. Click submit

  6. Click Generate PDF

  7. Download the file and email to CON & CC the student. 

  8. The letter will be available in the student’s profile going forward so you do not need to repeat these steps each time. 

For students using TWU to take the TEAS but who are not enrolled in TWU:

1. If they need accommodations, they should send their current accommodations from their current college/university to the CON.

GRE & PRAXIS 

The process is the same for the GRE & the PRAXIS exams. The student will provide us with a form from ETS. We complete the form based on the documentation we have on file for accommodations. ETS has stricter standards than we do on documentation, so if the student's documentation does not meet their standards, share that with the student. 

TSIA2

College Board TSIA2: Student Informational Brochure 

TSIA2 Accommodations Guidelines 

Steps-to-Launch-ACCUPLACER-Tests-with-Standard-Print-Vouchers 

TSIA2 Instructions & Information 

For students already enrolled with Disability Support Services (DSS), approved testing accommodations are communicated to the Academic Testing Center (ATC).

Typically, DSS is not notified in advance by a student when a student is scheduled to take the TSIA2. DSS becomes aware of the testing need only after ATC contacts DSS to request verification of approved testing accommodations for a specific student. ATC will provide the student’s TWU ID number and the accommodations the student is requesting for the TSIA2.

Dual Credit Students

Some TSIA2 testers may be dual-credit high school students who are unaware of the DSS application process. It is critical to:

• Verify whether the student’s ID appears in the DSS system.

• If no active DSS profile exists, inform ATC that the student is not currently registered with DSS.

• Instruct ATC to encourage the student (and parent/guardian, if applicable) to complete a DSS application before the scheduled TSIA2, so accommodations can be reviewed and determined.
  
  

Providing Accommodation Verification to ATC

Once a student’s DSS profile is confirmed, DSS staff will provide ATC with the student’s approved Alternative Testing accommodations using the following steps: 

1. Open the student’s DSS profile in myDSS.

2. Select “Student” at the top of the profile.

3. Scroll to the “Eligibility” section.

4. Copy all accommodations listed under “Alternative Testing.”

5. Paste the accommodations into an email response:

   • CC the ATC Coordinator

   • CC the student’s assigned DSS Coordinator

6. Create a case note in the student’s DSS profile documenting the accommodation verification and communication with ATC.