Watson Testing Center Policies and Procedures

The Watson Testing Center (WTC) is provided as a service for students with disabilities who have approved testing accommodations. Please note that the WTC has limited space and availability. WTC is video-monitored through closed-circuit security cameras and/or an in-person proctor.

Students approved for testing accommodations have access to the Watson Testing Center to meet their accommodations. If an instructor is able to administer an exam with the approved accommodations in place, then the student and faculty can work together to make testing arrangements. In some circumstances, approved accommodations must be provided through the testing center, which is generally indicated in the accommodation approval letter from Student Accessibility Services (SAS). SAS staff are available to support faculty and assist with accommodations.

Faculty are responsible for implementing approved classroom and testing accommodations. The WTC is available to assist faculty in meeting these obligations. It is important for students and faculty to meet throughout the semester to discuss the implementation of their approved accommodations.

As with any assessment at William & Mary, The Honor Code applies to tests taken in the WTC. Any suspected violations of the honor code will be reported to the respective instructor.

Scheduling a Test with WTC

Students must complete a Test Proctoring Form for any test/quiz that they will take in the WTC.

Log on to Accommodate

Select the green "Testing Room" tab on the top right

Select "Booking Request" on the bottom left, and enter the course and details as prompted.

Our staff will contact the student's professor to arrange for the test accommodations. If students have difficulty booking through the website, please email sas@wm.edu or call 757-221-2512 for assistance. Please note: The SAS Testing Center is reserved for students who are registered with SAS and have been approved for testing accommodations.

Students and faculty should meet to discuss the approved accommodations and complete the Test Proctoring Form and submit it to SAS no later than 72 business hours before the test/quiz date.

If a proctoring form is received less than 72 business hours prior to the test/quiz date, the assessment may need to be rescheduled, based on WTC availability.

WTC is not able to grant same-day requests for tests/quizzes.

If a student requests to take a test/quiz on a different time/day than what is noted on the completed Test Proctoring Form, SAS staff will need to communicate directly with the faculty member.

If an instructor uses pop-quizzes in class, they should contact SAS at least 24 business hours in advance. SAS staff will work with the student and faculty to accommodate pop-quizzes on a case-by-case basis.

Students should notify SAS as soon as possible if they no longer plan to test in the WTC after submitting a completed Test Proctoring Form.
Students should contact their instructor and SAS immediately if they are unable to take a test due to illness or emergency. SAS can work with students and faculty to coordinate makeup tests.

Test Day Protocols

Noise/Distractions

Students must refrain from loud talking or noise in the WTC and waiting area. Students may not linger in testing rooms, hallways or waiting areas to speak with others after an exam is completed and will be instructed to quietly exit the WTC once an exam has been completed.

Only WTC staff, authorized proctors, and students scheduled to utilize the WTC are permitted in the WTC while exams are in progress unless specifically authorized in advance (e.g. interpreters, personal care attendants, readers, scribes, etc.). Faculty or Teaching Assistants who wish to communicate with a student during an exam should communicate with WTC staff, who can relay messages to the student.

Check-In Process

Students must show a photo ID when checking into the WTC.

SAS staff will provide the student with instructions.

All personal items (bags, books, notes, coats etc.) must be stored in lockers in the SAS hallway. Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, laptops etc., are not permitted in the testing room unless authorized prior to an exam as an approved accommodation.

Students should arrive at the testing center 10-15 minutes prior to their scheduled exam start time to allow for check-in. Students who arrive late may not receive their full exam time. SAS staff will need to communicate with faculty about time changes.

If a student is more than 15 minutes late for a scheduled test, they are considered a no-show, and the instructor will be notified. Students should contact their faculty about options for rescheduling the test.

Food and drinks are not permitted in the testing space unless approved as an accommodation.

Testing Materials

The use of materials or resources not listed on the Test Proctoring Form is prohibited. Any actual or suspected incidents/evidence of improper test-taking or suspected Honor Code violations will be documented by SAS staff or proctor and reported to the respective faculty member.

Students are responsible for bringing all necessary supplies to complete their test such as a pen/pencil, eraser, calculator (if applicable and approved) etc.

SAS provided laptops do not have internet access, unless the use of the internet (for speech-to-text software etc.,) has been approved as an accommodation.

The use of personal laptops is not permitted unless granted as an accommodation or approved by the instructor on the Test Proctoring Form.

The Test Proctoring Form will indicate test material delivery/return options (email, faculty delivered/pick-up etc.)

Tests that need to be converted for accessibility (large print, braille, scanned into a computer) must be received by SAS one week prior to the test.

Proctors will collect all papers used during the test including the completed test.

If a student forgets any personal materials (e.g., calculator, scratch paper) they will be allowed to leave and retrieve the materials before starting the exam. However, the scheduled start time will not change. Upon return, students will have the remainder of the allotted time to complete their test.

Taking a Test

Approved accommodations specified in the Accommodation Approval letter for the current semester, will be granted during the test.

SAS will not answer or clarify any content-related questions during a test. Students should notify SAS staff or proctor if a question should arise. SAS staff will contact the instructor by phone or email. If an instructor is not available, students should continue their exam and write down any questions they have. Any written questions will be included with the testing materials sent back to the instructor following the test.

SAS staff and proctors may come into the WTC at any time. Scribes and readers that are necessary to provide approved accommodations may accompany a student into the WTC. Unauthorized individuals are not permitted within the WTC during testing.

Food and Drink

Only bottled water (or water in a sealed tumbler) is permitted in the Testing Center unless a food/drink accommodation is specified in the Accommodation Approval letter. Students who need a snack as part of an approved accommodation may be asked to consume food or drink in the waiting area to reduce distractions in the testing center.

Restroom/Breaks

If a student needs to leave the testing center for the restroom, the student must check-out with a SAS staff member/testing proctor and check-in when they return including students approved for regular or extended breaks as an accommodation. Students are not permitted to access any items stored in the lockers (or elsewhere) during breaks and must remain on the first floor level of Sadler Center. Breaks of greater than fifteen minutes typically require an approved accommodation.