Rules for test takers
No single list of rules can cover every conceivable circumstance. As a condition of using Kirkwood Test Center, you must agree to follow all rules listed here, as well as any instructions given to you by the Test Center staff. Third-party exam sponsor policies shall supersede these rules if a conflict exists.
1 Conduct
You are expected to behave civilly and respectfully at all times while using the Test Center. We reserve the right to refuse service if you are exhibiting abusive, threatening, or disrespectful behavior towards others.
2 Academic integrity
We follow Kirkwood Community College's academic integrity procedure. You are responsible for learning about and being aware of activities that constitute violations of this procedure. Suspected misconduct will be reported to your instructor or exam sponsor.
3 Identification
A valid photo ID is required for admission to all exams. Acceptable forms of ID include a Kirkwood Community College ID card, a current driver license or state ID, military ID, or passport. All IDs must be original documents; photographs, scans, and emails of IDs are not accepted.
4 Personal items
No personal items are allowed in the test room, including backpacks, briefcases, purses, bags, wallets, large jewelry items, and keys. There must be nothing in your pockets when you enter the test room. We have lockers available free of charge for you to secure your belongings. You are encouraged not to bring valuables, large amounts of cash, or anything you would be uncomfortable leaving in a locker to the Test Center. We assume no responsibility for your personal items.
5 Weapons
Per College policy, weapons of any kind are not allowed on Kirkwood property, regardless of whether you have a permit to carry the weapon. Our lockers may not be used to store weapons.
6 Personal electronic devices
Mobile phones and other electronic devices, including smart watches and other wearable technology, are not permitted in the test room. Possession or use of an unauthorized electronic device in the test room will be reported as misconduct.
7 Hats
Hats are not permitted in the test room. Head coverings worn for a religious, medical, or cultural purpose are permitted.
8 Outerwear
Heavy coats and jackets, parkas, rain coats, gloves, scarves, and sunglasses are not permitted in the test room. Light clothing items such as suit jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts are permitted after a visual inspection. Sweatshirt hoods must remain down at all times. If you remove an item of clothing for comfort during your exam, you must hang the item on the back of your chair, not place them in your lap or on the desktop.
9 Food and drink
Food and drink, including bottled water, candy, and gum, are not permitted in the test room without an approved accommodation.
10 Seating
We reserve the right to assign seating in the test room and to move you to another seat during an exam if necessary. Every reasonable effort will be made to minimize disruption to the test room.
11 Approved materials and test aids
Only materials that have been approved by an instructor or exam sponsor may be used during an exam. Calculators which connect to the internet or have a separate alphabetical keyboard in any format are not permitted. We have a limited supply of calculators available. We reserve the right to inspect any materials or test aids.
12 Scratch paper
If scratch paper is allowed on your exam, you must use the scratch paper supplied by the Test Center. Scratch paper must be turned in at the end of the exam, whether you used the paper or not.
13 Restroom breaks
You are expected to take your exam in one sitting, and are encouraged to use the restroom prior to checking in. Any restroom breaks taken during an exam will be logged by an incident report and will count against your exam's allotted time. You must obtain permission from a staff member before taking a break and before accessing any personal items during a break. You may not leave the building during a break. Repeated or lengthy departures from the test room may be reported as misconduct. For everyone's safety and comfort, we may end your exam session if you become ill or experience a medical issue in the test room.
14 Monitoring
In accordance with College procedure 400.5, Kirkwood Test Center uses desktop monitoring software and audio/video recording equipment to ensure a secure testing environment. You may be recorded at any time while using Kirkwood Test Center, and may not opt out of being recorded. Recordings and screenshots may be used as evidence when investigating possible acts of misconduct.
15 Talking
The only talking allowed in the test room must be directed to Test Center staff, and must be at a volume low enough not to disturb other test takers. Communicating with other test takers in the test room, whether verbally or by any other means, will be reported as misconduct.
16 Finished exams
You must leave the test room promptly upon finishing your exam or the expiration of your allotted time. Computer-delivered exams are typically programmed to terminate when the allotted time expires. For paper-delivered exams, you are responsible for monitoring your own time and handing in your exam before your time expires. Every test room has a clock on the wall.
17 Appointments and walk-ins
Appointments are not optional. You must make an appointment in advance in order to test. In the event the Test Center is fully booked, we may draw up a wait list with test takers admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you arrive at the Test Center without an appointment, you may be asked to wait until your exam can be prepared and a seat is available.
18 Guests
Persons not taking exams are not allowed in the test room, nor may congregate or loiter in the check-in area or by test room windows and doors. If you are waiting on someone to finish testing, you are welcome to make yourself comfortable in any of the public spaces on campus.
19 Children
College procedure 500.7 states, "a child should never be left unattended while the parent or guardian is attending class, conducting other business, or attending a public event on campus." The procedure further states, "Under no circumstances are children permitted in...testing centers." If you arrive at the Test Center with a child who would be left unattended while you are testing, we will not admit you to your exam and you will need to reschedule. Test Center staff are prohibited from providing child care, as this would place an unacceptable liability upon the College.
Note: Minors taking exams in the Test Center (e.g., for a high school distance learning class) do not require adult supervision, as testing is a recognized educational activity defined by procedure 500.7.
20 Operating hours
Operating hours are posted at every Test Center location and on our website. Exceptions to regular operating hours are posted on our website as soon as they are confirmed. The Test Center is closed on all College holidays and whenever the College closes for inclement weather or another reason. If weather, utility failure, or other incident requires closing some Kirkwood locations but not others, only the Test Center(s) at the affected location(s) will close.
21 Closing time
All testing ends promptly at the posted closing time every day. It is your responsibility to arrive early enough to have your full allotted testing time. If you are late, and the Test Center would close before your allotted time expires, we will require you to sign a waiver of time before admitting you to your exam. The waiver of time will be shared with your instructor or exam sponsor. Any allotted time remaining when the Test Center closes is forfeited, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Test Center to remain open after hours. Refusing to submit your exam or otherwise impeding the staff's ability to promptly close the Test Center will be reported as misconduct.
22 Role of the Test Center
We are not a liaison or an arbiter between you and your instructor or exam sponsor, nor are we involved in scoring exams, reporting scores, interpreting exam results, collecting homework, or approving testing accommodations. Any questions about an exam's instructions, availability, content, or scoring must be directed to the instructor or exam sponsor.
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