The following guidelines are provided for students taking tests in the Testing Center at Southwestern Illinois College.  Due to the wide variety of tests administered in the Testing Center, students and candidates should be advised that specific guidelines may vary from test to test.

Instructional Testing

1. A valid photo ID is required for all testing.
2. On-Campus appointments MUST be scheduled at least 24-hours in advance; Remote appointments MUST be scheduled at least 48-hours in advance. See Testing Center hours of service for specific campus information.
3. Appointments may be made online, in person, or by phone.
4. When making an appointment for an instructional test, be prepared to provide your name, student ID number, phone number, email address, course name and section, instructor’s name, and test number.
5. Arrive on time for your appointment.  Plan ahead for traffic, weather, etc.  Late arrivals may forfeit their seat and/or be required to reschedule their test—especially during high volume testing periods.
6. Only authorized testing material will be permitted in the testing room.  Pencils will be provided by the Testing Center.
7. If allowed, students may borrow a calculator from the Testing Center for their exam.

General Guidelines

1. Items not required for your test are not permitted in the testing room.  These items include, but not limited to, cell phones, electronic devices, fitness trackers, headwear (except for medical or religious purposes), lanyards, large necklaces and bracelets, clip-on ID/badges, sunglasses, watches.  Students taking an instructional test may bring only approved items for testing as designated by their instructor (i.e. note cards, calculators, etc.).  Additional approved aids may be supplied by the Testing Center.  The Testing Center will provide pencils.
2. All cell phones and electronic devices brought to the Testing Center must be turned off and placed in a secured location in the Testing Center.
3. Lockers may be available for your convenience for small items.  Once testing has begun, you are NOT permitted access to backpacks and large personal items in the Testing Center.
4. The Testing Center is not responsible for personal belongings or lost items.
5. Only students taking tests are permitted in the Testing Center.  Please make prior arrangements for childcare, as children are not permitted in the Testing Center.  In addition, no pets, family, or friends may accompany you in the testing area.  Public Safety will be notified in the event of unattended children.
6. Prior to taking a test, all students must read and sign-off on the Testing Center guidelines.
7. You will be assigned a designated seat in the testing area.
8. No food, candy, cough drops, gum, or drinks are permitted in the Testing Center.
9. Some tests have a time limit.  Testing Center personnel will track via a timer; however, test takers should manage their own time during testing.
10. Talking is not permitted in the testing room.  You should respect others by remaining quiet and not distracting others while testing.
11. You are expected to test independently.  You may not look at another examinee’s computer screen, paper test, scratch paper, etc. or receive assistance from another examinee.
12. Tampering with the operation of a Testing Center computer or attempting to use it for any function other than taking your test will be reported to your instructor and/or administration.
13. The Testing Center is equipped with cameras and surveillance devices.  The testing area is under continuous observation by proctors.  Test administrators and proctors may walk around the testing room to monitor examinees.
14. After you begin an instructional test, you must complete it in one sitting unless pre-authorized by your instructor.  If you leave the testing room during a test for any reason, your instructor will be notified.
15. All tests are stopped and/or collected 15 minutes prior to the closing hours of the Testing Center.  Students should plan ahead so they arrive at the Testing Center in adequate time to complete their test.
16. After completing a test, all test materials, including scratch paper, must be returned to the Testing Center staff.  Your instructor will be notified if all testing material is not returned.
17. Testing Center staff will notify your instructor and/or administration if you attempt to remove any test materials (including questions and answers) from the testing room by any means.
18. Testing Center staff will notify the instructor and/or administration of any discrepancies during testing.  An instructor has the right to reject any instruction test completed by a student who violates the instructor’s directions or the Testing Center guidelines.  Students taking the placement test must adhere to the guidelines, or risk an invalid or terminated assessment.  Acts of dishonesty may be subject to disciplinary action.
19. Test takers should communicate with the Testing Center staff if they have extenuating circumstances.  Test takers who require testing accommodations should first contact the Disability & Access Center.
20. The Testing Center staff may excuse a test taker, terminate a test, and/or contact campus Public Safety if a test taker exhibits behavior that is disruptive, confrontational, unruly, threatening and/or does not comply with the Testing Center guidelines, directives, or Board Policy.