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Test Proctoring Frequently Asked Questions

You should arrive at the testing center 15 minutes before your scheduled examination start time.

The below items are necessary for exam appointments:

  • Physical Identification (i.e. BuckID, Driver's License, Passport). ID must be unexpired. Digital versions or photos are not accepted.
  • Approved testing materials
  • Phone with Duo Mobile installed (if taking an online exam)

The Testing Center has lockers available for use to store any other items before entering the Testing Room.

The Testing Center has the discretion to deny access to latecomers. Failure to appear forfeits your test registration fee.

 

After 30 minutes, any OSU registration is marked as "no show." Other community-based examinations may have different late policies.

If The Ohio State University cancels classes, the Testing Center will be closed. Please contact the Testing Center or appropriate testing authority to reschedule your exam.

Upon arriving at the Testing Center:

  • You will present your ID and sign in with a proctor at the Admin/Check-in station.
  • You will store your belongings in a locker.
  • (if taking a computer exam) You will obtain Alternative Passcode from the Duo Mobile website.
  • You will empty and turn your pockets inside out prior to entry into the testing room to confirm that you have no prohibited items.
  • You will roll up long sleeves.
    • Certain vendor exams will require additional screenings.
  • You will be shown to your seat to begin testing.

The following items are prohibited in the Testing Room at all times:

  • Calculator lids
  • Food & Beverages, including water bottles
  • Tissues not provided by the Testing Center
  • Cell phones
  • Recording devices
  • Photographic equipment
  • Purses
  • Wallets
  • Backpacks and other bags
  • Personal Keys
  • Watches (smart and analog)
  • Fitness trackers
  • Hats and other head coverings, except those for religious purposes
  • Coats and outerwear
  • Nicotine products
  • Any other product determined by the proctor to be a disturbance to other testers or a threat to the security of the examination

The following devices are prohibited without expressed permission from the instructor:

  • Calculators (unless allowed by instructor)
  • Notes
  • Textbooks
  • Personal Computers
  • Drawing/Graphing Tools

The Testing Center has lockers available for use to store any prohibited items before entering the Testing Room.

We have a 59-seat testing lab set up for all varieties of exams we offer.

To ensure a high level of security throughout your testing experience, proctors will periodically walk through the testing room and will continuously monitor testers through observation windows and video for irregular behavior.

The Testing Center administers examinations for a variety of clients. As a result, other examinees may be in the testing room at the same time.

Ear plugs are available upon request.

Raise your hand to alert the proctor or exit the testing room.

Examples of instances where a tester requires assistance include:

  • Hardware or software problems or distractions that affect your ability to take the If an error message is displayed on the computer screen, DO NOT clear the message.
  • Need for additional scratch paper or pencils

On rare occasions, candidates may encounter technical difficulties at the Testing Center. If this happens, notify the proctor immediately by raising your hand. Staff will make every effort to correct any difficulties as quickly as possible. The proctor will follow established procedures to resolve the problem. The nature of the problem will also be reported to the appropriate testing authority.

If you need to take a break during your examination, you may take an unscheduled break. The examination timer will continue to count down during unscheduled breaks. No additional time will be provided to complete your examination.

*There are several tests that do not allow you to leave the testing room until the test is finished. Read all communications carefully!

The use of phones and other electronic devices during unscheduled breaks is strictly prohibited.

You are not permitted to access any study material or discuss the examination when taking breaks during an active examination session.

Repeated or lengthy departures from the testing room for unscheduled breaks will be reported by the proctor to the course instructor appropriate testing authority

  • Unauthorized possession, reproduction, recording, discussion, reconstruction of content from memory, or disclosure of any materials, including, but not limited to, examination questions before, during, or after an examination or other certification activities is a violation of OSU policy, specific testing policies and federal copyright laws. Failure to comply may result in the invalidation of examination results, exclusion from future examinations, revocation of certification, or any sanction deemed appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the University.
  • Any clothing such as sweaters must be worn at all times or placed on the back of your chair while testing. Otherwise, it must be stored in a locker.
  • You must conduct yourself in a courteous manner at all times when on the premises of the Testing Center.
  • To protect the privacy of all testers, staff can neither confirm nor deny the presence of any particular individual at the Testing Center.
  • Persons not scheduled to take a test are not permitted to wait in the Testing Center. There is a lobby located on the first floor of the Student Academic Services Building where visitors may wait.
  • Weapons of any kind are prohibited.

Proctors are required to report any irregular or improper behavior by a test taker. Examples of irregular or improper behavior include, but are not limited to:

  • Giving or obtaining information
  • Removing examination material from the Testing Center
  • Being disruptive
  • Violating any Testing Center regulations

Proctors may intervene to stop any observed irregular or improper behavior. Irregular or improper behavior during the examination, as evidenced by careful observation or subsequent statistical analysis of your responses, may result in the termination of your participation, invalidation of your examination results, exclusion from future examinations, revocation of certification, or any other sanction deemed appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the University.

Once you have finished your exam, you are free to leave the testing room. All materials issued to you by Testing Center staff must be returned at the conclusion of your examination. This includes scratch paper, pencils, ear plugs and tissues. Tissues must be discarded in view of Testing Center staff.

  • Certain exam aides brought by students must be turned in with the course instructor's discretion.
  • For certain tests, you will learn your scores immediately, while others are sent to the department or appropriate testing authority for scoring. For EM Tests not graded in the Testing Center, you will receive a receipt with contact information to obtain your results.

Once you have turned in all exam materials and collected your belongings from your locker, you are free to leave.

The Testing Center is able to grant extended time accommodations to any student with currently approved SLDS accommodations. Any other SLDS accommodation is not guaranteed with the Testing Center.

The Testing Center will grant any amount of extended time up until the end of the OSU Course Testing Hours, found on our General Information webpage. We inform students to take into consideration our closing times before registering for an exam.

If your test is set to end after the Testing Center's closing time with your accommodations, we will not be able to provide your full accommodated time. Students agree to the Testing Center's right to stop their exam early in this situation when registering for an exam.