DRC Testing Center

DRC Exam Support Services provides assistance with exam accommodations on a first-come, first-served basis. It is highly advised that booking requests for the Testing Center are made as early as possible in the quarter due to space constraints. 

In AIM, faculty can indicate if they would like the DRC Testing Center to support accommodated exams for their course. Those opting to use the DRC Testing Center are required to complete the Exam Information Form to provide detailed information about their exams, including scheduling, testing conditions, allowed materials, and other essential instructions. Students can only begin signing up for exam slots after the faculty member has submitted this form. Since the DRC Testing Center operates on a first-come, first-served basis, faculty are strongly encouraged to complete the form as early as possible. Faculty are encouraged to complete the form, even if they choose not to use the DRC Testing Center, to inform students of alternative arrangements for exam accommodations or to confirm that their course has no timed assessments. This process ensures clarity for students by either enabling them to book exams at the DRC Testing Center or notifying them that exam accommodations for the course will be managed elsewhere, prompting them to consult their instructor with any additional questions.

Book a Room at the DRC Testing Center

1. To book a test room at the DRC Testing Center, faculty are first required to complete the Exam Information Form in AIM.
2. Faculty will then need to notify students with exam accommodations to log into their AIM Student Portal to request test room bookings at the DRC Testing Center for all course exams. This step is crucial as students will not be notified by the system. We recommend sharing this information in writing and through multiple channels—such as email, Canvas, and in-class announcements—and providing reminders as exam dates approach. To make this easier, we’ve created template language that faculty can use or modify as needed:

Template Language for Informing Students to Sign Up for Exams at the DRC Testing Center:

You have been approved to take your exams at the DRC Testing Center! You will need to sign up for each individual exam at least 5 business days in advance. Because the DRC Testing Center operates on a first-come, first-served basis, we strongly recommend that students sign up for all of their exams for the course as early as possible. Please refer to the “Student: How to Request a Testing Room in the DRC Testing Center” guide, which outlines the steps for requesting space at the DRC Testing Center. 

The DRC Testing Center’s hours of operation are from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM during the quarter, with extended hours of 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM during Finals Week. The full duration of all requested exam bookings (including any accommodations for extended time) must fall within these hours. If you submit your exam request in under 5 business days, you should still submit the request, as the Exam Support Services staff will make its best effort to approve late requests when possible. Note that the system does not allow you to “bulk” register for your exam so you will need to sign up for each individual exam. 

For assistance in signing up for exams, you can always stop by the DRC Testing Center office, located in Kerr Hall Room 54, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Additionally, you can schedule a 1-on-1 Zoom appointment with an Exam Support Services staff member, or call the office at (831) 502-2986.

3. Once the form is submitted, students can then sign up for their exams through their AIM portal. Faculty may be required to approve or deny student booking requests that are submitted outside of the faculty member’s specifications (such as an alternate time or date). Faculty are required to complete this step prior to Testing Center staff approving bookings.
4. Testing Center staff will review the request. If all requirements are met and space is available, the request will be approved. This initiates an email to all course faculty associated with the requested exam and sends an approval email to the student.
5. Faculty must upload a blank exam to AIM at least 2 business days before the exam. For alternative formats (e.g., E-Text, Text-to-Speech, Enlarged Print), upload is required at least 4 business days in advance for remediation.

If an exam date or other key details need to be changed, faculty can update their Exam Information Form and exam dates directly in AIM. To do this, navigate to the ‘Exam Support Services’ module and access the ‘Exam Information Form.’ To adjust an exam date, select “Modify” next to the listed exam date and update it as needed. Students planning to test with the DRC Testing Center should be informed of the change and instructed to either sign up for the new date or update their existing booking.

Faculty may see the proctor’s name in AIM and on the proctor form; however, all questions or concerns should be directed to the DRC Exam Support Services team rather than contacting proctors directly. This ensures compliance with student communication protocols, proper documentation in the student’s case file, and oversight of exam-related inquiries. For any exam-related concerns, faculty should reach out to the DRC Exam Support Services team.

If additional students are approved for exam accommodations later in the quarter, faculty should promptly inform them of any necessary steps to coordinate their exams, such as registering for a test room in AIM.

If students are unable to reserve space at the Testing Center due space or time restrictions, faculty bear the responsibility of delivering the student’s exam accommodations in a timely manner. When possible, the Testing Center may be able to offer support on an alternate date or time. 

Alternative Format Exams

Some exam accommodations may require remediation of the exam file in advance of the exam date. This includes exam accommodations such as Text-to-Speech for Exams, Enlarged Print for Exams and E-Text for Exams. For exams taking place at the Testing Center, faculty must upload a blank copy of the exam at least 4 business days prior to the exam date to allow for remediation. For exams taking place externally, the exam file should be emailed to the Exam Support Services team at least 4 business days prior to the exam date.

Incorporating a few key accessibility points when creating and proofing the exam saves remediation time and reduces the chances of the exam date being postponed. For a short list of exam accessibility tips, please refer to our Faculty Guide to Designing More Accessible Exams.

Need Further Assistance?

If a faculty member is looking for assistance in navigating AIM or has any general questions about the DRC Testing Center, they are welcome to book a quick appointment with one of our staff members here: DRC Testing Center Faculty Appointment Booking. Faculty can also review the DRC Testing Center Quick Reference Guide for a brief overview of the Testing Center processes.

Support for Exams Outside the DRC Testing Center

As educators, it is important to ensure that all students have an equitable testing experience. This is especially crucial for students with disabilities, who may require specific accommodations in order to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities on exams. The Exam Support Services team has developed several key resources for faculty that will support the compliant implementation of exam accommodations: