Testing Updates and Scheduling

Instructors

New in Fall 2023: Purdue Testing Services (PTS) has launched a new scheduling system - RegisterBlast. This system will allow PTS to not only manage accommodated academic exams, but also the various vendor exams we administer.

The implementation of RegisterBlast brings the following updates: 

• Instructors and students will manage all accommodated exam scheduling through their Brightspace course - not the Accommodation Portals. 
• Students will need to schedule their exams four (4) days in advance. 
• The final week scheduling deadline is now the Friday prior to Quiet Week which is equivalent to one (1) week prior to the start of finals. 
• Instructors can specify the approved date(s)  and time window(s) in which students can schedule their exams. Students will not be able to schedule their exam for a date/time that was not previously specified by the instructor on the TIF. 
• Instructors will submit a TIF for each assessment PTS will be administering. 
• TIFs may be uploaded on a student-by-student basis when needed (example: additional dates are open for a student who needs a different date due to disability related reason).

The following guidelines are still in effect to best serve all faculty, staff, and students who utilize our accommodated testing service. These guidelines apply to all exams, including final exams:

• Instructors must provide a copy of the exam or the password for online exams to PTS no later than 12 p.m. one (1) business day before an exam is to be administered.
  • Copies can be submitted via RegisterBlast or hand delivered to STEW G39.
  • We cannot accept late submissions. Not submitting an exam or password by the deadline means PTS will be unable to administer the exam. As a result, the student’s appointment will be canceled, and it becomes the instructor’s responsibility to administer the exam and provide accommodations.
• PTS is not able to administer webcam-monitored exams. If this format is required, it will be the instructor’s responsibility to administer the exam and provide accommodations.
• PTS is not able to support cohort testing—also known as simultaneous test administration—which requires all students with accommodations from a single class to be tested at the same time. If cohort testing is required, it will be the instructor’s responsibility to administer the exam and provide accommodations.

In addition to these guidelines, PTS asks that instructors provide as broad of testing windows as possible. We ask that testing windows be more than five (5) hours. This increases the probability that PTS is able to assist with accommodations.

• Example: If a class exam is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, the instructor can indicate in the TIF that students with accommodations are allowed to take the exam any time on Monday or Tuesday.

If concerned about exam integrity, PTS recommends instructors provide alternate versions of the exam or a question bank.

TESTING PROCESS

When utilizing the PTS as a proctoring site, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Instructors must add RegisterBlast as an external link in their Brightspace course and submit a Testing Insturction Form (TIF) for each exam PTS will be administering.

Step 2: Students have to submit their exam request four (4) days prior to the exam date. This is not business days and will include weekends.  We cannot accept late requests. If the student does not meet the deadline, the instructor will need to administer the exam and provide accommodations.

Step 3: Instructors must provide a copy of the exam or the password for the online exam to PTS no later than 12 p.m. one (1) business day before the exam is to be administered.

Step 4: Purdue Testing Services administers the exam at the date and time requested by the student.

Step 5: Purdue Testing Services returns completed exams within 24 business hours after testing according to the return method outlined in the TIF.

ADD’L GUIDELINES

• Students cannot schedule with PTS until a TIF is submitted by their instructor. If a TIF is not submitted in time for the student to schedule their exam, it becomes the instructor's responsibility to administer the exam and provide accommodations.
• Exams must be properly categorized as in-person or online in TIFs. Due to the PTS’s high volume of online exams, computer seats cannot be guaranteed without this categorization. Adjustments can be made to the TIF up to two (2) weeks prior to the exam date if formats change.
• PTS schedules exams on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be times we are unable to administer exams, even if a request is received prior to the scheduling deadline. If PTS is unable to administer an exam, the instructor and student will be notified immediately. It will then become the instructor’s responsibility to provide accommodations or offer an alternate date and time for the student to take the exam with the PTS.

TESTING HOURS*

Purdue Testing Services (PTS) is located in Stewart Center on the ground floor, Room G39/G59. 

August 20, 2023 - September 10, 2023

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

September 11, 2023 - December 3, 2023

Monday - Thurday | 8:00 am - 9:30 pm

Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 

December 4, 2023 - December 10, 2023 (Quiet Week)

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

December 11, 2023 - December 16, 2023 (Finals Week)

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Saturday | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Closed: September 4 (Labor Day), October 9 & 10 (Fall Break), November 22 - 24 (Thanksgiving Break)

*Availability may vary per the testing schedule.

Students

TESTING PROCESS

If you are utilizing the DRC Testing Center, please follow these steps:

• Step 1: Submit a Course Accessibility Letter (CAL) to your instructor as soon as possible.
• Step 2: Submit your testing request with PTS at least four (4) days in advance. If the deadline is not met, your instructor will need to administer the exam and provide accommodations.
• Step 3: Take your exam with PTS at the scheduled date and time.

ADD’L GUIDELINES

• Students cannot schedule with PTS until a TIF is submitted by their instructor.
  • If your instructor has not submitted a TIF, contact them directly to discuss how they plan on implementing your accommodations. Some instructors proctor their own accommodated exams.
• PTS schedules exams on a first-come, first-served basis. There may be times we are unable to administer exams, even if a request is received prior to the scheduling deadline.
  • In the event PTS is unable to proctor your exam, talk to your instructor about alternate arrangements to receive your accommodations.

TESTING HOURS*

Purdue Testing Services (PTS) is located in Stewart Center on the ground floor, Room G39/G59. 

August 20, 2023 - September 10, 2023

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

September 11, 2023 - December 3, 2023

Monday - Thurday | 8:00 am - 9:30 pm

Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 

December 4, 2023 - December 10, 2023 (Quiet Week)

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

December 11, 2023 - December 16, 2023 (Finals Week)

Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

Saturday | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Closed: September 4 (Labor Day), October 9 & 10 (Fall Break), November 22 - 24 (Thanksgiving Break)

*Availability may vary per the testing schedule.