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What to Bring to the Disability Services Testing Center
Taking a college test? See what this successful low vision college student recommends to take with you to the exam!
At my university, the Office of Disability Services has its own testing center that students can use to take quizzes and tests assigned in the classroom, as well as midterms and final exams. There are single rooms with CCTVs and long tables, small cubicle-style areas, as well as other small-group testing rooms. This is an awesome service for students who need a modified testing area, and I am really grateful that I have access to such an awesome place to take my exams.
Over the course of the last four semesters, I have learned a lot about what to bring to the testing center, and what to leave back at my apartment. I’ve gone from bringing an entire backpack worth of materials to just carrying a few items. Here are five of the items that I always bring to the testing center with me, and five items I leave in my apartment.
Student ID and Government Issued ID
For all exams at my school, the student must bring their student ID so the instructor can verify their identity and student number. For a couple of my classes, I have been required to bring a government-issued ID card in addition to my student ID. Since I don’t have a driver’s license, I obtained an under-21 ID card from the DMV and use that.
Colored Pens/Scented Markers
I use colored pens instead of pencils when taking my exams, since gray pencil lead on white paper provides very poor contrast. I like to bring several colors with me, typically blue, pink, orange, green, and other bright colors. I also bring four different colored highlighters with me for marking multiple choice questions.
I started working with scented markers while studying for my math exams and found that I was able to see numbers more clearly than when I would work with the fine-tip pens. Another thing I noticed is that my brain would recognize the scents from the markers and help me remember things I studied, which is actually a proven study tip.
Cardstock Paper
When working with pens and markers, it’s easy to have ink bleed through to the other side of paper- or worse, transfer to a surface. I request that my test be printed on single-side paper, and use cardstock paper, sized 8.5″ x 11″, in order to do scratch work. I attach all of the materials that I wrote on at the end of the exam.
Earplugs
While my testing center provides these for students to use, I like to bring my own pair of comfortable earplugs that help cancel out random noises outside. The pair I use feels very similar to earbuds/headphones without wires. Here is a link to them on Amazon.
Professor Contact Info
I bring a small index card to each exam with my professor’s name, email, office location, and phone number. The index card also has my name, student ID number, class name, and class section. This has come in handy many times when the test wasn’t in its correct location, or the proctor had to call the teacher for further instructions.
Cell phone
While cell phones can be stored in a locker at the testing center, I prefer to leave my phone in my apartment. Since I live a two minute walk from the area, I don’t find it necessary to carry with me. Why would I carry something just to lock it up?
Backpacks
Backpacks, purses, and other bags can be difficult to store at the center and locate after the exam is over. I prefer to get out of the testing center as quickly as possible, so I don’t bring anything that I have to check in.
Pencil Pouches
One time, I organized everything nicely in a pencil pouch to bring to the testing center. For security reasons, it all had to be dumped into a clear plastic bag once I got to my exam. It’s okay to bring these to exams, but don’t expect that you will be allowed to keep it with you in the testing center.
Portable CCTVs
I have been advised not to bring my own portable CCTVs because of the potential that the devices can store screenshots of the exam. The testing center provides their own assistive technology devices for students to use. I have never had any issues using their devices.
Personal Computers
While it makes sense to take an exam on a familiar device, personal technology is not permitted in the testing center. My recommendation is to write down all of the common settings used and show it to the testing coordinator, who can enable those settings on a testing computer if needed.
For more testing-related information, check out these posts below!
Accommodations For Print Materials
How To Create A Disability Services File
Accessibility Settings For Windows 10
By Veroniiiica
