Using Exam Accommodations

Where to Start

When you are approved for exam accommodations, start by talking with your instructor about the best way to implement your accommodations in their course. Some instructors can provide accommodations within their departments, while others may refer you to the Exam Accommodation Center (EAC). Review the options for implementing exam accommodations with your instructor to determine the best fit.

Testing Hours

The EAC maintains the following schedule during most of the semester.

Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Weekends: Closed
Finals Week: Extended hours apply to finals week. For more information, visit our Finals Webpage

Before you Schedule at the EAC

Submit your Semester Request for the current semester and ensure your Notification Letters have been sent.
Meet with your instructor to discuss accommodations. You can only use the EAC for exams if your instructor plans to refer you here.
Wait for your instructor to refer the exam to the EAC (at least one week before the exam date)
Schedule your exam or use our walk-in option for Canvas Exams.

Allowed and Prohibited Items

Allowed Items

Drinks in clear, unlabeled bottles
Any resources allowed by your instructor (All written resources must be turned in after completing an exam)
Any items you have approved accommodations for

Prohibited Items (unless approved with accommodations)

Cell phones or other electronic devices
Watches (analog and digital)
Food or medicines
Hats/hoods
Bathroom breaks/leaving the exam center

For the entire list of policies, please click below

Hixon-Lied Lobby — Top photo shows the lobby area of the Hixson Lied building. Bottom left photo shows the front desk and lobby of the Exam Accommodations Center. Bottom right photo shows the cubbies for personal items and the entrance to the low distraction testing room.

Front desk at the exam accommodations center — Top photo shows the lobby area of the Hixson Lied building. Bottom left photo shows the front desk and lobby of the Exam Accommodations Center. Bottom right photo shows the cubbies for personal items and the entrance to the low distraction testing room.

New: ISU Testing Center Can Now Provide Select Accommodations

The ISU Testing Centers can accommodate exams with extended time or low distraction.

Students needing extended time can schedule at any testing center, and their appointment length will reflect the extended time. Instructors will still need to extend the time on Canvas for the exam.
For students requiring a low-distraction environment, the newly renovated Carver Hall 0060 and Hixson-Lied 2242 are available and modeled after the EAC for a low-distraction environment.

Instructors can refer Canvas exams for students needing extended time and low-distraction accommodations to the regular ISU Testing Center. Students requiring low-distraction environments can then choose to schedule in one of the two designated low-distraction rooms listed above.

Please note that these centers are only equipped to handle extended time and low-distraction settings. Additional accommodations beyond this are not supported in the ISU Testing Centers and instead should be referred to the Exam Accommodations Center.

Outside view of the Hixson-Lied building where the EAC is located

Entrance to the low distraction room and cubbies where you can place your personal items while you are taking an exam. As a reminder, no materials are allowed in the testing center aside from approved testing materials and clear water bottles.

Low distraction testing cubicles. Each testing space is labeled with a desk number which you will be assigned when you arrive at the EAC and has a computer for taking Canvas exams, and space on the desk to work on written exams.

Private testing room. These rooms are reserved for students with specific needs such as specialized testing technology, adjustable desks, and more.