Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General InformationScheduling an Exam - Examinee (Test-Taker)Scheduling an Exam - InstructorsAdditional Questions

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General Information

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• Where is the University Testing Center?

  We are located in Old Johnson Hall, 3rd Floor, East Wing in Room OJ 324. The easiest way to reach us is by entering through the main doors, taking the Old Johnson elevator (to the left of main entrance) to the third floor and following the signs to the University Testing Center.

  

• When is proctoring available?
  UTC administrative staff are available to offer assistance Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm. Proctoring for exams is available by appointment only, Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-10:00pm, and Friday 8:00am-7:00pm.
• How much does testing with the UTC cost?
  University Testing Center services are included in tuition and fees, therefore, there are no extra charges for Binghamton courses.
  
  External (non-Binghamton) exams may incur a $25 fee, which must be paid prior to exam administration. Details regarding payment methods and refund policies can be found on our External Exam page.
• How do exams with the UTC work?
  1. A reservation request is submitted at least 48 hours in advance.
  2. UTC staff review and approve appointments.
  3. A confirmation email is sent to the student and instructor.
  4. The instructor provides the exam at least 24 hours in advance.
  5. The exam is administered.
  6. The exam is collected from our office (Photo ID required) or may be emailed to the instructor, within 48 hours, upon request.

  *Students requiring testing accommodations must meet with the Services for Students with Disabilities office prior to their appointment. The UTC has no input in determining or assessing students accommodations and cannot “give” or “change” any accommodation that has not been approved by the SSD office.

• How do testing accommodations work?

  Students who need special accommodations to complete exams (more time, reading software, accessible furniture, etc.) must make an appointment with the Services for Students with Disabilities office to discuss their circumstances.
  
  If SSD has approved testing accommodations, the student must request that an accommodation letter be emailed to their instructor. The instructor will then make arrangements to accommodate the student, either on their own (using their own or the department’s resources) or at the UTC. Our services are completely optional. If an instructor chooses to schedule an appointment with the UTC, they must provide information regarding the student's accommodations when submitting a request.
  
  Please note that the UTC has no input in determining or assessing students accommodations and cannot “give” or “change” any accommodation that has not been approved by the SSD office.

• Are professors required to use the UTC?
  Not at all! Our services are completely optional. Instructors may choose to accommodate their students on their own (using their own or the department’s resources) as long as they meet any disability-related needs, if applicable.
• How are final exams administered at the UTC?
  The process of scheduling final exams at the UTC is the same as throughout the semester, we're just busier!
• How do I become a proctor?
  Due to HR regulations and confidentiality concerns, we can only hire Binghamton graduate students to administer exams. External candidates, undergraduate students, and alumni are not eligible for a proctor position at this time. More information, including a job description, can be found on our Applications page.

Scheduling an Exam - Test-Taker

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• How do I schedule an exam for a Binghamton course?
  Please see our Binghamton Student or External (Non-Binghamton) Exam pages for additional information regarding exam scheduling.
• How do I schedule an exam for a non-Binghamton course?
  Please review our External (Non-Binghamton) Exam page for additional information.
• Can I reschedule my appointment?
  Please see our Binghamton Student or External (Non-Binghamton) Exam pages for additional information regarding exam scheduling.
• I've had an emergency and cannot make my appointment  – what do I do?

  Please contact us and your authorized testing representative (instructor or other individual responsible for the exam) regarding the situation.

  The authorized testing representative will decide how to help you proceed. If the exam needs to be rescheduled, they will have to inform us of the requested change.

• I don't feel well and/or have received a diagnosis of illness from a licensed medical professional – what do I do?

  For the safety of our students, faculty, and staff; the UTC is unable to proctor students who are currently ill. Student should reach out to their instructor to explain their circumstances just as they would if they were missing an in-class exam.

• My class has been cancelled  – do I still need to take my exam at the UTC?

  If your instructor cancelled class, please reach out to them for further direction. Email us if you will not be taking your exam as scheduled.

  If the university has cancelled classes, the UTC is closed. An email will be sent to all students with an appointment as well as their instructor. As with any rescheduling, the instructor for the course will need to make changes to your appointment. If you have not heard back from us within a few days, it is your responsibility to contact us for updates.

• I missed my appointment  – what do I do?

  In cases of “no-show”:

  • Students taking a Binghamton course should speak directly with their instructor about their circumstances. The UTC cannot reschedule an exam without direct approval from the instructor.
  • Other examinees may reschedule their appointments. Payment for additional exam registrations is subject to the University Testing Center Refund policy included in your original payment method.

Scheduling an Exam - Instructors

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• How do I schedule an exam for my students?
  The instructor of record for the course can make reservations for their Fall/Spring students using our new RegisterBlast software. Further instructions on how to use the new software and details regarding Summer/Winter exams can be found on our Binghamton Instructors page.
• How many students can I schedule for an exam?

  Due to extraordinary demand, the UTC is unable to accommodate more than 20 students per exam time. Make-up exams will not count towards this limit (please see Can I schedule a make-up exam for my class? for additional information.)

  
  Professors with exceptional circumstances should contact us to discuss any concerns.

• Can I schedule a make-up exam for my class?

  Unfortunately, the UTC does not proctor in-class exams for instructors. This includes "alternate" or "make-up" test dates. Large groups of students (>20) taking a make-up exam at the same date and time will need to be proctored by the instructor or an authorized designee at another space.

  Instructors can make appointments for their students taking make-up exams at various times/dates or in smaller groups by using our RegisterBlast software.

• What if I can’t schedule two business days prior to administration?
  At the University Testing Center, we always do our best to accommodate late-notice requests. However, it is important to note that the UTC administers over 4,000 exams per semester and we cannot always ensure availability for all appointments. Advance notice allows us more flexibility to manage our schedule and deal with any issues that may arise. The less time you give us to plan, the more likely we will be unable to accommodate your needs.
• Will the UTC proctor an in-class exam in the event of staff absence?
  Due to the number of exams administered across campus, we are unable to proctor in-class exams for instructors; this includes assisting if a TA or instructor is absent from the classroom unexpectedly. In the event you need assistance with exams scheduled to take place outside of the UTC office, please contact your department for assistance securing additional proctors.
•   Can I reserve the UTC if I provide staffing?
   

  Unfortunately, the UTC space is not available for reservation by faculty, staff, or students.

  Since appointments are sometimes made with short notice, the UTC cannot anticipate if our space will be empty at a requested date and time. Additionally, having outside personnel in our space presents a security risk and could harm our certification eligibility.

  To reserve a testing room elsewhere on campus, please contact the Course Building and Academic Space Management office for assistance.

• Can my TA proctor an exam at the UTC?

  Unfortunately, staff from outside our office will not be permitted to proctor students. Oftentimes, the UTC is administering exams for multiple courses simultaneously and having personnel who are only available to assist some students creates a very confusing environment for test-takers.

  TAs, faculty, or other personnel may wait nearby the testing center in case a student has questions and we will contact them to assist. Once all student questions have been answered, we ask that these individuals exit the testing center once again.

• Can the UTC proctor a student who is not feeling well?

  For the safety of our students, faculty, and staff; the UTC is unable to proctor students who are currently ill. Instructors will be notified immediately if the UTC is unable to accommodate their student upon arrival.

Additional Questions

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• What happened to the University Testing Center Reservation Form?
  In the summer of 2018, we proudly launched our new RegisterBlast Reservation software. Instructors can now save information about their students and exams to facilitate easier requests throughout the semester.
• How do I use the new software?
  Instructions on how to use the new software can be found on our Binghamton Instructor, Binghamton Student, and External (Non-Binghamton) Exam pages. Please navigate to the page most relevant to you.
• I contacted you last night/over the weekend and I haven’t heard back yet – is everything okay?
  The UTC’s administrative office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Emails and requests sent outside of business hours will not be reviewed until the office reopens on the next business day. Reservation requests submitted after 4:00pm for the following day will not be processed in time for exam administration.
• I received a confirmation email but my student was not included – what happened?
  Our new software sends out three emails - one to the student, one to the instructor, and one to the UTC. If you received an email, so did they!
• I can’t submit my exam 24 hours in advance – what should I do?
  If this is the case, please email us to let us know when you expect to be able to deliver the exam.
• Do I have to drop off/pick up my exams in-person?
  The UTC offers instructors the option of dropping off their exams directly at our office (9:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday), adding them to their submission on RegisterBlast, or sending them via email. Instructors may then opt to pick up completed exams or request that they be scanned and emailed back. All exams being submitted or returned electronically are subject to our Electronic Exam Materials policy.
  
  Alternatively, instructors can have someone else drop off exams on their behalf, such as a colleague, TA, or departmental secretary. When submitting a reservation request, instructors can also authorize individuals to pick up completed exams at the UTC. All individuals collecting the exams (including the instructor) must present a photo ID at pick-up.
• Why have I been asked to drop off/pick up my exams at the UTC office when I selected to have them emailed/scanned back?
  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of exams administered at the UTC, we cannot print or scan back exams that total 50 (fifty) pages or more. Please review our Electronic Exam Materials policy for additional details.
• I forgot to authorize my colleague/TA/departmental secretary to collect my exams – what should I do?
  Instructors can contact our office with any updates regarding exam collection. We will be happy to add whomever you designate. Please remember that all individuals collecting the exams (including the instructor) must present a photo ID at pick-up.