Students enrolled in session-based Guided Independent Study (GIS) courses can choose the date when assignments and/or exams will be submitted/taken. However, both assignments and exams must be submitted/taken in the order outlined on the course syllabus. At submission of all the assignments that precede a test, students may select and schedule their examination date based on the testing center hours or proctor's availability (if outside the Iowa City area).

Links to the Exam Registration forms, for students both within and outside the Iowa City area, can be found on the course homepage (ICON). It is YOUR responsibility to understand what is required of you in order to successfully schedule, take your exams, and complete the course within the semester in which you registered.

Would I get my grade at the end of the semester?

Can't complete your course work by the given deadline?

Examination Process for Local Students (within the Iowa City area)

If you live in the Iowa City area, you must arrange to take your examination on The University of Iowa campus at our Distance Education Testing Center. Complete and submit all the lessons and assignments that precede the exam you are registering for, then submit the Exam Registration form (link available on the course homepage - ICON). You must register at least two businesss days before your intended examination date.

• You must schedule an appointment that allows for the full time allotted by your instructor to complete the test. For example, if you are allowed three hours to complete an exam, you may not schedule your exam any later than 5 p.m. on a day when the Testing Center closes at 8 p.m. See your Study Guide for more information about the time allotted to take exams.
• Exam requirements. Depending on the course, some instructors might allow specific materials (i.e. calculator, notes) to be brought into the Testing Center while taking your exam. Exam requirements for your course (if any) are provided on the course syllabus and/or Study Guide.
• Time Management Tip for Local Students! Local students working on the course to make the one-semester completion deadline may consider registering for their exams ahead of time (i.e. as soon as the semester starts!). This will assure them a seat in our testing center during busy weeks, such as finals' week, and will help you set your own goals for assignment submission. NOTE: Regardless of when you decide to register for your exams (i.e. all at once or after assignment completion), the lessons and assignments that precede a test MUST be studied/submitted to your instructor before the examination date.
  

GENERAL POLICIES/REQUIREMENTS - EXAMINATION DATE

The following policies/requirements apply to your examination at the Center for Credit Programs Testing Center:

1. You should bring at least one #2 pencil to the exam.
2. You will be required to verify your identity when you take your exam by presenting two forms of identification, including one photo ID.
3. Students who leave the testing room once their examination begins must first turn in their exam and will not be allowed to reenter.
4. Cell phones and pagers must be out of sight and turned off. Headphones are not allowed unless they are required for the examination. Hats with visors must be removed or have the visor turned to the back.
5. Childcare is not provided for examinations and only students scheduled for the exam are allowed in the examination room.
6. Misconduct will result in confiscation of your exam. You may request a make-up exam from the instructor. Speaking to other students, looking at another's work, looking at notes or books or other materials not specifically allowed on the exam instructions all constitute misconduct.

TESTING AT STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES?

Students taking exams at the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) here on capus must schedule their examinations electronically via the Off Campus Examination Form, and MUST identify "The University of Iowa Office of Student Disability Services" as part of the address when completing the form. Keep in mind that you should already be registered with SDS prior to submitting the form.

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WHO IS CONSIDERED AN ACCEPTABLE PROCTOR?

To protect the integrity of its examination monitoring system, GIS reserves the right to reject any proposed examination proctor or any previously approved proctor. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, no relative, work supervisor, teacher, faculty member, tutor, or immediate employer (regardless of academic qualifications) may proctor an examination. You may complete your examination under the supervision of one of the following:

• directors of public, school, or college libraries or learning centers or the proctor designated by the library or learning center;
• administrators of an accredited post secondary degree-granting institution (e.g., registrars, deans, directors or proctors of college testing services or continuing education offices);
• for students in the military: education officers or commanding officers;
• for incarcerated students: directors of educational services at correctional institutions;
• for students living outside the United States: a proctor whose position is equivalent to one of those listed above or an administrative official of a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: If you arrange for a proctor who charges a fee, payment of the fee is YOUR responsibility.

MAILING EXAMINATIONS

• Exams are sent by first-class mail. Depending on the destination, exams can take approximately one to two weeks within the continental U.S.A. to be processed and delivered.
• Exams going outside the United States are sent air mail which can take four (4) weeks or longer to reach the proctor. Exams being returned from outside the U.S.A. are to have postage put on the return envelope by the student.
• Institutional or business addresses ONLY. Examinations can only be sent to institutional or business addresses, NOT to private residences. Examinations must be written at the institutional or business address to which they are sent. They CANNOT be administered at private residences.
• Expedited Mail Service. Upon your special request and at your expense, we will send exams by an expedited mail service. Exams are returned to our office by postpaid first-class mail unless you arrange to provide your proctor with a prepaid expedited mail envelope. If you do so, address the envelope to:
  • Center for Credit Programs, ATTN: Testing Center, 30 S. Dubuque St., 2nd Floor, Iowa City, IA 52240
• Examinations CANNOT be sent by fax.

OTHER POLICIES

• The five-week exam period begins when the exam is mailed. Once an exam is mailed to your proctor, you will have five weeks to complete it. If you do not take your examination within that time period, your proctor is required to return the exam to GIS, and you will need to re-apply.
• If your proctor does not know you personally, be prepared to identify yourself. When you take your examination, be prepared to present your proctor with identification that includes a photo and your signature. Bringing an ID to your examination is especially important if your proctor does not know you personally.
• Graded examinations WILL NOT be returned to students.

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Testing Center - Calendar of Extended Hours (Spring 2009)

During the fall session, the Testing Center will extend its regular hours to include the following dates and times:

Frequently Asked Questions

WOULD I GET MY GRADE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER?

Students expecting to receive a course grade at the end of the semester within which they enrolled, must ensure all required course work is submitted and received by the instructor by the due date indicated in the course syllabus.

CAN'T COMPLETE YOUR COURSE WORK IN ONE SEMESTER?

Students unable to meet the one-semester completion deadline indicated in the course syllabus will receive a grade of incomplete (I). If the work has not been completed by the end of the following semester, the grade of "I" will become an F.

• Students who receive grades of incomplete at the end of the summer semester have until December 1 to complete their course work.
• Students who receive grades of incomplete at the end of the fall semester have until May 1 to complete their course work.
• Students who receive grades of incomplete at the end of the spring semester have until July 15 to complete their course work.

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