Testing

Testing Accommodations - Information for Students

Students registered with the Office of Academic Accessibility (OAA) wishing to register for an exam:

Student Responsibilities

Students should alert instructors and OAA staff about their intention to have an exam proctored in the OAA office at least 2 business days prior to an exam. Unless prior approval for a different time has been approved by the instructor, students are expected to schedule their tests for the same time their classmates are taking the exam.

Any questions regarding tests proctored in OAA can by direct to the office at oaa@messiah.edu. Students are also welcome to sop by the Office of Academic Accessibility in Murray Library, Suite 115, for more information.

Test Scheduling Reminders

Notify your instructor at least two days prior to a test if you plan to have it proctored in the OAA.
Sign up for your exam on the OAA testing app at least 2 business days prior to an exam. (Please see the chart below for registration deadlines.
Schedule your exam for a time that overlaps with your class's exam period unless you have prior approval from your instructor to take it at a different time.
Unless prior approval for a different time has been granted by the instructor, students are expected to schedule their tests for a time that overlaps the period in which their classmates are taking the exam
If there is a time conflict due to class schedules, please talk with the OAA test proctor for advice about an alternative testing time. She will help you to develop a plan in connection with your professor.

Testing Times

Exams may be scheduled at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Please choose the testing time closest to the time your class is taking the exam.

Signing Up For an Exam

Schedule your exam for a time that overlaps with your class's exam period unless you have prior approval from your instructor to take it at a different time.

Registration Deadlines

In Spring 2024, the OAA began requiring students to follow the two-business-day sign-up policy. Every student who meets with the Office of Academic Accommodations to establish accommodations is made aware of the OAA testing guidelines, including the requirement to register for exams at least two business days in advance.

If a student misses the deadline, especially at the beginning of a semester, we are happy to get them on the testing schedule if there are still spots available. We are glad to offer grace as first-year students are getting accustomed to campus life and the expectations of university academics. In fact, students are invited to stop by our office to schedule all of their upcoming exams with a member of the OAA team.

The expected days of registration are as follows for the fall 2025 semester:

For a test on a Monday

For a test on Monday morning at 8:30am or 10:30am students should register before *Thursday morning at 8:29 am.
For a test on Monday afternoon at 12:30pm or 2:30pm students should register before *Thursday afternoon at 12:29 pm.

For a test on a Tuesday

For a test on Tuesday morning at 8:30am or 10:30am students should register before *Friday morning at 8:29 am.
For a test on Tuesday afternoon at 12:30pm or 2:30pm students should register before *Friday afternoon at 12:29 pm.

For a Test on a Wednesday

For a test on Wednesday morning at 8:30am or 10:30am students should register before *Monday morning at 8:29 am.
For a test on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30pm or 2:30pm students should register before *Monday afternoon at 12:29 pm.

For a Test on a Thursday

For a test on Thursday morning at 8:30am or 10:30am students should register before *Tuesday morning at 8:29 am.
For a test on Thursday afternoon at 12:30pm or 2:30pm students should register before *Tuesday afternoon at 12:29 pm.

For a Test on a Friday

For a test on Friday morning at 8:30am or 10:30am students should register before *Wednesday morning at 8:29 am.
For a test on Friday afternoon at 12:30pm or 2:30pm students should register before *Wednesday afternoon at 12:29 pm.

*Note: We understand that the weekends can sneak up on students before they know it, so students should register early and come by to see us if they forget and find themselves unable to sign up.

For final exams, students will be expected to sign up by Wednesday, December 10, 2025 for the fall 2025 semester.

Download the test registration chart

Other Important Information for Students

During the week before long semester breaks (fall and spring), as well as during the week of finals (fall and spring), the volume of student testers will be high. Since the library space for exam proctoring is limited, students are encouraged to register for their exams early - at least ten days to two weeks in advance. Still, some testing time slots may be full when students try to schedule their exam. If a time slot is full, students should email their professor and carbon copy the OAA to find a different time to test. Arrangements for alternative testing times can only be made with permission from the instructor in coordination with OAA staff.

Please check Canvas prior to arriving in the OAA to confirm that your test is set to begin and end at the correct times and that your accommodation for extra time has been added (if applicable). If you notice an error, please reach out to your professor right away, so that he or she can make corrections and you can get started on time in the OAA. Please don't forget to bring your computer charging cable with you on exam day!

If you have an exam for an evening class, you have two options for testing with the OAA. You may test with your class in the evening, if your professor can provide your accommodations. Alternatively, you may speak with your professor about taking your exam in the OAA during our daytime testing hours. Once the two of you mutually agree to an appropriate day and time for the test, please sign up with the OAA in accordance with that agreement.

When you pick up your test from the test proctor, please confirm that the end time is correct according to your professor's instructions and that you understand when you are expected to return your test to us. Once you reach your testing location, please also confirm that the time on the clock is correct before beginning your exam. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems during your testing time, please talk with an OAA staff member immediately. Once you have seen the exam, attempted its completion, and turned it in, there is little that can be done to resolve any issue you may have experienced.

Academic integrity is of the utmost importance at all times and will be expected during your testing time in the OAA. Unless specifically approved by your professor and communicated to us prior to the exam, computers, cell phones, smart watches, and all other resources or materials will not be permitted into the testing space with you. We do our best to remind students of these rules at the time of their tests, but it is your responsibility to abide by every aspect of the Academic Integrity Policy at Messiah University whether informed of it at the time or not. OAA staff will be monitoring testing areas by walk-throughs and via the testing area cameras.

Learn more about Messiah University's Academic Integrity Policy online in the Undergraduate Catalog under the Academic Policies and Procedures Section.

If you have any questions about test registration or encounter an error when attempting to schedule an exam, please stop by our office in Murray Library to talk with us or reach out to the Office of Academic Accessibility at oaa@messiah.edu. You are always welcome to stop by - we are happy to help!

Testing Accommodations - Information for Faculty

Exam delivery and retrieval

Upon receipt of the automatic email notifying you of a student's test registration with OAA, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. A quick glance to confirm the date and time selected by the student will help us make sure that all is well to move ahead for test preparations. If you do not approve of the date or time, please let us know as soon as possible so other arrangements can be made. Since some students have multiple tests per day, there may be certain circumstances where we'll need to work together to find solutions that maintains academic integrity and provides students with the best opportunity to utilize their extra time accommodation.
For both paper and online exams, we request that you click "Upload Exam Information" (from the automatic notification email) and either upload the digital version of the paper test or leave us a note regarding the online exam. Your notes about an online/Canvas test sent via the link in the email will be invaluable as we prepare to proctor final exams. Please let us know if there is a password and include any other special instructions. Thank you for your attention to these details. Examples of these details include the following:
- Test time for the neurotypical peer;
- Whether notes, books, or other resources are permitted;
- Canvas or other standardized testing software passcode; and
- If there are any other special instructions.
Our aim is to scan completed exams and provide them to professors within one business day. We strongly encourage you to review the email scans promptly to ensure legibility. All paper exams will be securely held in the Office of Academic Accessibility until the final grade submission date for the semester. At that time, exams will be shredded.

Instructor Tips

All students who qualify for exam modification accommodations should provide a copy of their accommodation letter from the Office of Academic Accessibility to their instructor within the first two weeks of each semester in which they would like to utilize their accommodations.
Professors should strive to maintain privacy when communicating with students receiving testing accommodations and avoid making announcements in front of the class regarding a student's modified testing procedures.