OALA Testing Center

The Office of Access and Learning Accommodation Testing Center works to ensure that appropriate testing accommodations are provided for students who are eligible for services. In order to maintain the integrity of the Testing Center and the exams being administered, the following rules apply to all students.

Reminder: The deadline for scheduling finals exams for all students is May 5, 2025. Due to the significant logistics and planning that go into making finals equitable and accessible for students, any requests after this deadline will be denied.

Scheduling Exams at Testing Center

For information on how to book a testing center appointment, please visit our Testing Booking Center page.
For scheduling and logistical purposes, the OALA Testing Center requires all appointments for exams to be submitted within 7 days prior to the exam.
The testing center is open M-F from 8AM to 5PM with extended hours during final exams (8AM to 8PM). No test may be scheduled to begin later than 3:30PM during regular academic sessions. Exams scheduled outside of the standard hours of operation will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
If an instructor changes an exam date or time, it is the student's responsibility to notify Testing Center via email as soon as possible. We will work with you to adjust your exam date and time to align with your professor’s changes.
If a student is anticipating that they will miss an exam for any reason, including illness, issues with a condition, etc., the student is responsible to notify both the instructor and Testing Center if they will miss an exam. OALA will defer to the professor and the parameters and nature of the course regarding the reasonableness of the ability to make up an exam. Please note that missing an exam, even when a condition or a disability is cited, does not automatically excuse an absence or ensure make up of an exam. Needs and accommodations related to this possibility, must be discussed with faculty and OALA once accommodations are rendered at the start of the academic term to establish a plan and understanding. When a situation necessitates making up an exam, an approval for this must be done in consultation with faculty. OALA does not make this determination as the parameters and logistics around the exam are unknown to us and, as such, we defer to our faculty in determining what may be reasonable as far as options. It is a student’s responsibility to be communicative and coordinate this process with their professors. The steps do to this are: 1. Reach out to your professor and, if approved and deemed reasonable, work out a make-up exam time with them 2. Send professor confirmation/approval of time to OALA_T@baylor.edu and CC your professor 3. The testing center will adjust your appointment time in Accommodate and we will coordinate with your professor to finalize the process.
All exams will be administered at the regularly scheduled date/time of the class. If there are academic conflicts with other courses or with a student’s personal schedule, the Testing Center along with your OALA specialist can work with your professor to find alternative times to test with us. The Testing Center must receive approval for an alternative exam date/time via Accommodate or via email from your professor. If a change occurs after the booking deadline, the Testing Center will be in contact with you and your professor regarding availability and possible options if needed.
If you are going through the accommodation process and will be a newly registered student, OALA, during your intake process, will ask if you have any upcoming exams. If those exams are within the 7-day window, the Testing Center will seek to schedule you for an appointment if availability and logistical planning allow for it.
If you are a registered OALA student and submit a late request, this will be reviewed by the assistant directors of OALA on a case-by-case basis. Several factors need to be considered to determine if the testing center is able to grant approval for extenuating circumstances. You will hear back from one of our assistant directors with a determination or follow up questions. We also recommend reaching out to your professor to see if arrangements can be made to use accommodations in the classroom setting in the case that your late request is not approved.

Taking Exams at Testing Center

Students taking exams in the Testing Center can expect the following procedures listed below. Due to volume of students and exams, these procedures will differ during Finals each semester. OALA staff will be present at the Testing Center to guide students during final exams and OALA will email ahead of time to communicate expectations for finals.

1. Enter Location: Sid-Rich Basement, East Wing.

2. Belongings Check-in:

Go to the desk on the right.
Provide your student ID (or write down your ID number if it’s on your phone).
Place all personal items in the bucket provided to you
You can bring any materials needed and approved by faculty for testing and a water bottle (remove labels from plastic bottles, unscrew reusable bottles for inspection).
Mechanical pencils and pens are not allowed.
OALA will provide all exam materials (bluebooks, calculators, scratch paper, scantrons, pencils, etc.). Students can bring their personal laptop for online exams and their own calculator if permitted by faculty.
No food or other drinks allowed, unless specified by accommodations.
Remove hats/hoods, all watches, and anything from your pockets.

3. Test Check-in:

A staff member will direct you to the test check-in room.
You’ll provide your Baylor ID again.
Ask for ear plugs or scratch paper if needed (scratch paper depends on professor approval).

4. In the Test Room:

You’ll receive a laminated card with your stop time.
If you have questions, return to the check-in area to ask staff, who will contact your professor.
Remember: As a matter of academic integrity and for logistical purposes, by requesting your exam appointment at the OALA Testing Center, you are agreeing to being proctored via video surveillance.

5. Bathroom Breaks:

Let the testing staff know before and after at the check-in area.
Women’s restroom is near the elevator; men’s is near the stairs.

6. After the Test:

Return all materials to the check-in room.
Grab your belongings and head out.