Exam Preparation Guidelines

After your test proctoring request has been approved, please follow our guidelines in preparation for your exam:

Code of Academic Integrity

We expect you to adhere to the Code of Academic Integrity. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to your professor and the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities.

General Information

Students must secure their space by submitting a test proctoring request, at least seven (7) days in advance of the examination date.

Proceed to Your Testing Location

Testing location notifications will be sent to your GW email address the day before your exam, by the close of business.
DSS assigns testing locations based on your approved testing accommodations and the overall availability of testing space in our office and on campus.
During high-volume periods such as finals week, we utilize various locations on campus in order to accommodate the number of students and test proctoring requests received. You will be notified one (1) day prior to your exam date of the specific testing location.
Note: Do not leave trash, scrap paper, or any litter in your testing location once you have completed your exam. Similarly, please refrain from scribbling on desks, walls or otherwise damaging our testing locations.

Arrive on Time for Your Exam

We recommend arriving at your testing location ten (10) minutes before the scheduled start time for your exam/s but no later than the start time. If you are unsure about your scheduled start time, please check your GW email address for the approval request from the online test proctoring request system.
In the event that you are late, please notify us as soon as possible. We understand unforeseen circumstances occur however, we will not offer additional time if you arrive late to your exam. If you are late 30 minutes or more, you will be asked to reschedule.

Personal Items

Cell phones, smartwatches, or backpacks are not permitted in our testing spaces; we have assigned areas for your personal items which will be under careful watch while you take your exam.
As necessary, you may use a calculator or laptop computer if your professor/s approves these devices or if your specific accommodation plan allows for them. Approval of such devices should be notated on your test proctoring request form beforehand for the DSS Test Proctoring team.

If you have three or more exams scheduled on one day during finals week, you may request to take one exam on a different day, so that you have no more than two exams on any given day.
It is your responsibility and right to request that an exam(s) be rescheduled such that no more than two exams are given during the course of one day. Faculty members are expected to accommodate these requests.
Please be sure to discuss this with your professors beforehand about approval for alternative dates and times. Once you have agreed upon a date and time, secure your space by submitting a test proctoring request.