Information for Students for the Pollock Testing Center

Welcome to the Testing Center.

Notifications and Scheduling

If your instructor has scheduled a course exam in the Testing Center, you will receive an email directing you to select a time for your exam. Choose a time that allows you to arrive 30 minutes before your exam so that you are there when check-in begins. Staff cannot let you in late.

• Schedule a time for your exam right away. Popular timeslots fill quickly. If you do not pick a time, you will not be able to take your exam.
• Choose a time that allows you to arrive 30-minutes before the scheduled exam time.
• All students must arrive at the Testing Center 30-minutes before the scheduled exam time. If you arrive later, there might be too little time to check-in before the exam starts. Testing Center staff are unable to override the system if you are late.
• If you are late or miss your exam, you may try to to reschedule your exam using the link from your email. Signs are posted with QR codes for the scheduling page.
• If you are unable to reschedule using the website, you will need to contact your instructor to find out what the next steps will be. Testing Center staff are unable to change your schedule or create a makeup.
• Testing Center staff will not answer questions about your schedule over the phone.
• Do not delete your scheduled exam. If you need to reschedule your exam, pick a new time. Doing that will replace your previously selected time.

Pollock Testing Center Hours

• The Pollock Testing Center is open:
  • Week 1 and 2: 7:35am to 5pm
  • Week 3 through 15: 7:35am to 11pm
  • Finals week, Monday to Thursday :7:35am to 11pm
  • Finals week, Friday :7:35am to 12pm (noon)

ADA and SDR Accommodations

The Pollock Testing Center has accommodations for mobility devices and height adjustable computer stations but does not have any other assistive technology.

Students needing other accommodations should look into the services provided by the Student Disability Resources (SDR) office.

Students that have SDR approval for 50% extra-time are welcome to schedule their exams in the Testing Center. Students with approval for 100% extra-time or other accommodations may request testing in the SDR Exam Center contacting 814-863-1807 or sdrexam@psu.edu.

Students with extra-time accommodations should never schedule in the last timeslot of the day because the Testing Center closes at 11 pm.

Student Conduct

You are expected to follow the University Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy, all other university policies and all Testing Center rules and instructions.

If a student is out of compliance with university or Testing Center rules, staff members will notify the instructor, ask the student to leave, and contact the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, when applicable.

Testing Room Rules

• Once you enter the testing room you may not open your bag for any reason. You may only open your bag after exit the testing room.
• You may only use items specifically allowed by your instructor. All other items must be in a closed bag under your desk.
• Bags must stay closed and placed under the desk.
• No food or drink is allowed in the testing room for any reason. You may have a clear water bottle.
• Smart glasses are not allowed in the testing room; this includes prescription smart glasses.
• No talking in the testing room.
• Stay at your assigned desk, exceptions include:
  • asking for help from staff
  • necessary visits to the restroom

Arrive Early, Check-in, Take your Test, and Check-out

Arrive early. We cannot check you in late.

Before you Arrive

• Check your scheduled exam (https://testingapps.it.psu.edu/etesting/students) time.
• Know your password.
• Make sure you have the allowed items listed for your exam.
• Avoid bringing items that are not needed for your exam.
• If you want to bring a water bottle, make sure that it is a clear bottle and only contains water. If you bring any other bottle type or food, you will asked to leave it at the bottle table. The Testing Center is not responsible for lost, stolen or forgotten items.
• If you need to bring a bag, make sure that it zippers closed entirely. Buttons do not count.

After you arrive, before you check-in

• Have your student ID or your phone out.
• Pay attention and listen for instructions from the staff.
• Silence all devices, including alarms
• Have all allowed items in your hand (not in your backpack or bag). If you forget, please step to the side so other students can continue to check-in. Staff cannot loan you forgotten items.
• If you have loose items or your bag doesn't zipper closed, borrow one of the green or blue bags, place all of your items in it and cinch it closed. Put the following in your bag, not your pockets:
  • all electronics including computers, tablets, media players and/or smart devices
  • headphones (unless allowed for the exam)

Check-in

After going through the turnstile:

• Tap your student ID or your phone to check-in at the counter.
• If you are registered and have an exam at this time, you will be given a ticket with information about your exam and your seating assignment.
• Put your phone in a zippered part of your bag after being assigned a seat and before entering the testing room.
• If your instructor allows scratch paper, you will be given a bar-coded sheet at check-in, which is linked to your ID. You may only have one sheet at a time, it may be exchanged for another at the front desk. Do not fold or crumple the scratch paper because you need to scan it to exit.
• Read the seating assignment ticket carefully to check your exam, seating assignment and allowed items. Enter the room and find your seat. Brief directions are printed on the ticket.

In the Testing Room

1. You may not open your bag inside the testing room.
2. When you find your seat, place your bag under your seat.
3. Place your seating ticket in the holder above the monitor.
4. Login to Windows and wait for Respondus LockDown Browser to open and take you to the Canvas Login. Additional instructions are on the left side of the station.
5. Login to Canvas and find your exam. You will not need your phone for this. If you do, ask the staff for assistance.
6. Read the exam name, time allowed, and check that your headphones are working before you start your exam.
7. Start your exam.
8. When you are done, end your exam and logout of Canvas and Windows, but leave the computer and monitor on.
9. Gather your belongings and immediately leave the testing room. Do not open your bag inside the testing room.

Check-out

• If you have scratch paper, scan the sheet at the turnstile against the wall. Staff will later verify that we have the sheet. If your sheet is missing, staff will notify your instructor.
• If you did not have scratch paper, use your ID to exit the turnstile on the left.
• If you used one of our bags, please empty it and place the bag in the box near the turnstiles.