Process for implementing exam accommodations

Student Disability Services (SDS) Exam Services are available to help support instructors as they provide exam-related accommodation(s).

  1. Students give LOA to instructors and discuss their accommodations.

    1. It is best practice to schedule exams 7 days in advance and 21 days in advance for final exams.
    2. Remember that accommodation and disability information are confidential and shared only on a need-to-know basis. Refrain from discussing exam accommodations in public spaces.

  2. Determine the appropriate location.

    If the instructor is able to provide the accommodation(s) they may proctor exams within their department or proctor exams virtually (see Tips on remote testing).

    Accommodations can be provided at one of two Iowa City Test Centers; Student Disability Services in the University Capital Center (141 UCC) or the North Campus Test Center (W216 CB) depending on accommodations.

Use the decision tree below to assist in determining location and method for delivering exams with accommodations:

Based on your answers, your student test at the North Campus Test Center which can provide non-asterisked accommodations like:

  • reduced distraction environment
  • extended time
  • frequent breaks
  • access to food/drink/medications
  • access to physical or memory aids

For more information about each accommodation, visit the Student Disability Services Accommodations webpage.

Use the Proctored Exams Portal (PEP) in your ICON course, to create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. This allows students to schedule well in advance. Exams should be uploaded using the PEP at least 24 hours before the student’s scheduled appointment.to create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. For more information and step-by-step guides, visit the QUICK START GUIDE FOR THE PROCTORED EXAMS PORTAL .

Here are a few tips:

  • When creating a new exam, it is best to choose All Combined Sections.
  • You can set up exam window and return later to update details and upload exams. This lets students start scheduling right away.
  • Schedule the exam with a large window of availability (for example open from Wednesday through Friday) so that students have a better chance of finding an open seat at the SDS Test Center.
  • If you have multiple students with different accommodation, PEP automatically determines the location based on their accommodations.
  • PEP automatically adds extended time accommodations when the student is added.

For Paper Exams:

  • Paper exams should be uploaded in ICON/PEP at least 24 hours in advance.
  • By default, completed paper exams are uploaded to the Proctored Exams Portal. Use the Proctor Instructions field to indicate you want to pick up your completed exam(s).

For ICON Exams you may need to adjust settings such as:

  • Assigning a quiz to an individual student.
  • ICON Quizzes Available from/until exam window settings for students testing at a different time than the class. See Setting up the Exam Window of Availability
  • ICON Quizzes / Moderate the Quiz* to add SDS Extended Time accommodation. See Adding Extra time in a timed Quiz. (Times displayed in PEP do not transfer to ICON/Quizzes.)
  • ICON Quizzes / Moderate the Quiz to add an additional attempt for your student. (Moderate This Quiz is only visible if the exam is published.)
  • Ensure ICON/Quizzes password is in the PEP Proctor Instructions.
  • Disable Respondus Lockdown Browser as some students use software that will not work with Respondus.
  • By-pass Proctorio’s lock down browser by providing the Access Code as some students use software that will not work with Proctorio.

All Iowa City Test Centers are monitored by closed circuit cameras with recording capabilities.

Instructors can administer exams within their departments.

  • Look for locations available in your department/college. You can check with Classroom Scheduling (reg-exams@uiowa.edu) to identify available neighboring classroom where the test can be administered.
  • Proctor exams virtually (see Tips on remote testing).

Based on your answers, your student should test at the Student Disability Services (SDS) Test Center.

Use the Proctored Exams Portal (PEP) in your ICON course, to create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. This allows students to schedule well in advance. Exams should be uploaded using the PEP at least 24 hours before the student’s scheduled appointment. To create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. For more information and step-by-step guides, visit the QUICK START GUIDE FOR THE PROCTORED EXAMS PORTAL .

To deliver your ICON online exam for your student(s), you may need to adjust settings like:

All Iowa City Test Centers are monitored by closed circuit cameras with recording capabilities.

For assistance, please contact SDS Exam Services 319-335-1462 or sds-exams@uiowa.edu.

Based on your answers, your student should test at the Student Disability Services (SDS) Test Center.

Use the Proctored Exams Portal (PEP) in your ICON course, to create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. This allows students to schedule well in advance. Exams should be uploaded using the PEP at least 24 hours before the student’s scheduled appointment.to create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. For more information and step-by-step guides, visit the QUICK START GUIDE FOR THE PROCTORED EXAMS PORTAL .

Here are a few tips:

  • You can set up exam window and return later to update details and upload exams. This lets students start scheduling right away.
  • When creating a new exam, it is best to choose All Combined Sections.
  • PEP automatically adds extended time accommodations when the student is added.
  • Schedule the exam with a large window of availability (for example open from Wednesday through Friday) so that students have a better chance of finding an open seat at the SDS Test Center.
  • Paper exams should be uploaded in ICON/PEP at least 24 hours in advance.
  • If you have multiple students with different accommodation, PEP automatically determines the location based on their accommodations.
  • By default, completed paper exams are uploaded to the Proctored Exams Portal. Use the Proctor Instructions field to indicate you want to pick up your completed exam(s).

All Iowa City Test Centers are monitored by closed circuit cameras with recording capabilities.

For assistance, please contact SDS Exam Services at 319-335-1462 or sds-exams@uiowa.edu.

  1. Confirm scheduling and exam details and share with your student(s).

    • If proctoring the exam through the department, the instructor is responsible for communicating the time, location, and exam details to the student.
    • If using an Iowa City Test Center, you will need to use the Proctored Exams Portal (PEP) in your ICON course. Visit the QUICK START GUIDE FOR THE PROCTORED EXAMS PORTAL (PEP). When using the portal in your ICON course, instructor may create and assign students for all upcoming exams / quizzes that require accommodations. This allows students to schedule well in advance. Exams should be uploaded using the PEP at least 24 hours before the student’s scheduled appointment.
    • If using the PEP, an instructor can schedule all the quizzes/exams for the semester, then add the ICON or paper exam when they are completed. Exams should be uploaded using the Proctor Exam Portal at least 24 hours before the exam.

  2. Check exam scheduling and completion through the Proctor Exam Portal (PEP) in your ICON course.

    • By default, completed paper exams are uploaded to the Proctored Exams Portal. Use the Proctor Instructions field to indicate you want to pick up your completed exam(s).
    • Iowa City Test Centers retain physical copies of completed exams in a secure location for 1 calendar year.

Resources and contacts:

 

Student and instructors, please note the following instructions and guidelines:

SDS Exam Services guidelines

  • SDS Exam Services hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Exams cannot begin before 8:30 a.m. and must be completed by 4:00 p.m.
    (Note: SDS Exam Services will be open extended hours during final exam week.)
  • Exam materials must be received by SDS Exam Services at least 1 business day before the scheduled exam. SDS Exam Services allows the drop off and pick up of physical exam materials during SDS regular hours.
  • SDS Exam Services will adhere to the scheduled test time. If a student is late to a scheduled exam, the end time will not be extended.
  • All personal belongings and/or any materials not indicated in the test definition must be stored in the designated area.
  • Once an exam begins, students may only leave the testing room for a quick restroom break or if breaks are allowed as a designated accommodation.
  • No food or drink is allowed in the testing room. It can be stored in a location that is easily accessible.
  • If a course is dropped for which exams have been scheduled at SDS, please notify SDS as soon as possible. Other students may be able to use the time and space that was reserved.
  • All Iowa City Test Centers are monitored by closed circuit cameras with recording capabilities.
  • The University of Iowa takes the issue of cheating very seriously. If cheating or other academic dishonesty is observed or suspected, the instructor will be notified immediately. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life can be found on the Dean of Students website.