Testing Accommodations Guidelines

Zoom Proctored Testing

Ensuring access and providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities is a shared responsibility. Students, faculty, and the staff of the Disability Support Services (DSS) work collaboratively to meet Columbia Basin College’s obligations to provide equal access to educational opportunities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 504 Columbia Basin College students are provided equal access and an equivalent education experience regardless of whether courses are held in person or remotely.

Testing Accommodations for Students

Accommodations for testing allows students with disabilities equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills while mitigating the impact of disability-related barriers. There are several different types of accommodations that may be suggested based on the academic environment, the course objectives, and the abilities of the student. Arranging and providing accommodations is an interactive process between the student, faculty member, and DSS staff.

Alternative Testing through Zoom

After providing the instructor with the Accommodation Letter via AIM, students who are approved for on-line Zoom proctored testing through DSS, must schedule their Zoom proctored testing appointment using the AIM Student Portal.

Zoom Proctored Alternative Testing Procedure

Before the Exam

DSS proctored testing requests are coordinated between the instructor and students and must be submitted according to DSS scheduling timeline. Students should schedule and take exams at the same time as their class peers. If there are scheduling conflicts, please contact the DSS office. Flexibility of testing time is ONLY allowed for the following reasons:

Limited testing space (DSS decision)
Exam/class time overlap (confirmed by DSS)
DSS scheduling conflicts (DSS decision)

The student must submit the Accommodation Letter via AIM to the instructor prior to requesting a testing appointment in AIM.
Exam dates are listed in Class Syllabus/Exam Schedule, students should schedule all exams for the semester as soon as possible. Exams must be scheduled at least five days before a scheduled exam (excluding weekends and holidays).
Instructors should complete the Alternative Testing Agreement after receiving the Accommodation Letter, (link for Agreement is in the Letter) with their general exam instructions. NOTE: The same Agreement can by copied for multiple students in one class.
The exam can be uploaded into AIM or delivered to the DSS Office (T-422) at least two days before the scheduled Individual Exam Instructions are also delivered via AIM and the “Alternative Testing Exam Instructions”.
The Student and Instructor will receive reminders of the upcoming testing appointment via email.
The assigned proctor will schedule an on-line Zoom testing session per instructor’s directions as outlined in AIM. The proctor will email the student a Zoom link for their individual or assigned student group test proctoring session.
Exams on Canvas (or other computer-based exams) are NOT to be accessed until the student is in their proctored testing session and the proctor is present. If this is done, the student will have to go to the main office and wait while the instructor is contacted to determine the path forward.
Prohibited items during the test session include, but are not limited to, cell phones (with the exception of the phone being used to monitor the area and workspace), earbuds, watches, pagers, or other electronic devices that are not considered medical equipment needed during the testing session.
Students will need a computer to access the testing session through Canvas and a smartphone/laptop with a camera that will be used to view the surrounding area and workspace during testing.
If a student is ill or needs to reschedule a test for any reason, the faculty’s written permission must be forwarded to the DSS office.
For pop quizzes, the instructor initiates the testing accommodation process with DSS. This can be done at the beginning of the quarter or on a case-by-case basis.
Students must complete a “Setting up your Desk for Testing” Zoom Tutorial with DSS Personnel prior to taking any exams.

During Testing Session

The student must check in 20 minutes before the scheduled testing session and be prepared to take the exam at the scheduled time. If a student arrives late, individual check-in will not be possible and the student will have to make alternative testing arrangements with their instructor.
When the student signs in, they will be in a waiting room. The student will be invited to enter the main testing room, and will then be invited to a breakout This is for them to be checked in privately. The student will then re-enter the testing room and wait to begin their test at the scheduled time.
The proctor will review the exam instructions, including time and materials allowed. Only authorized testing materials are allowed in the workspace during the test.
During the testing session, the sound will be All communication with the proctor must be made through the Zoom chat feature. Students will need to monitor their phone for announcements from the proctor.
Once the testing session begins, students are not allowed to leave the testing room for any reason.
The proctor will monitor the student activity during the entire testing session until the test has been submitted.
The CBC Student Code of Conduct provisions regarding disruptive behavior and/or academic dishonesty apply to exams administered at the DSS office. DSS has the right to stop an exam at any time if a violation is observed, including use of unauthorized materials or resources during an exam. All violations will be reported to Violations may also be reported to CBC Student Conduct and result in a review and modification of accommodation request. Violations include but are not limited to:
1. Having prohibited items in the testing room
2. Going beyond the allotted testing time
3. Accessing unauthorized materials during exams
4. Giving or receiving help from others
5. Failing to follow the direction of DSS staff
The proctor will inform the student when the exam time is The student must notify the proctor via chat that the exam has been submitted, at which point the proctor will allow the student to turn off their Zoom session.
The proctor will process the exam detail and notify the instructor of the following via AIM:
1. Test proctor information
2. Exam start/finish times
3. Note to instructor of any observations made during the test session that may need further attention.