Exam Accommodations

The StAAR Center supports students with disabilities on accommodations for exams, including all in-class exams, tests, and quizzes. This may include time-based exam accommodations, a distraction-reduced testing environment, and/or assistive technology for exams. StAAR works with students and their professors to ensure that approved exam accommodations are implemented appropriately.

Only students who are approved for distraction-reduced exams or assistive technology on exams accommodations are eligible to book space at the StAAR Center to take their exams. For some larger classes, professors have made arrangements with the StAAR Center to proctor all students with exam accommodations, including extended time only. If this is the case, your professor will let you know.

Please note that students may only book exams if their Semester Letter has been generated AND if they are booking at least 3 business days before the start time of the exam (up to the hour).

Please see the instructions below on how to book an exam at the StAAR Center:

1. Log into Accommodate with your Tufts UTLN.
2. Select the “Testing Room” option from the left-side menu, then click “New Booking Request” located at the bottom.
3. Select the relevant course from the drop-down menu. Be sure to select the lecture section, NOT the recitation or lab section, when applicable. 
4. Indicate under “Final Exam” if the exam is a final exam or not. (Please note that final exam booking follows a different schedule. For more info, see Final Exams below.) 
5. Select the date and time of your exam. You should select the date and time that most closely matches when the class will start the exam. Please note that Accommodate will only show dates/times that are at least 3 business days out (up to the hour).
6. After selecting a timeslot, you will see a pop-up window with a few questions about the exam. Answer these questions to the best of your ability. Be sure to indicate which exam accommodations you would like to use for this exam and list any materials permitted by your professor that you know of.
7. Click “Submit Request”. Your request will be sent to the StAAR Center to be reviewed. 

The StAAR Center has limited space for students to take exams, and the space can fill up quickly, especially during busy times (such as midterms). We recommend students use their syllabi to book all their exams at once at the beginning of the semester. The exception to this is Final Exam booking, which operates on a slightly different timeline.

If you have any questions about exam booking, or run into any trouble with the process, please contact our exam coordination team at StAARExams@tufts.edu. 

Once your exam booking has been confirmed, you will be all set to take your exam at the StAAR Center.

1. Check-in for your exam.
   • Please check-in at StAAR's Testing Center in Dowling Hall, Room 745 at least 5-10 minutes before your exam. Be sure to bring any materials needed for your exam (including writing utensils, calculator, notecards, etc.). 
   • You may receive an email from StAARExams@tufts.edu indicating that your exam will take place in StAAR's main office in Suite 720. If so, you can head there directly to check-in for your exam. 
2. Put away your belongings.
   • When you check-in for your exam, you will be shown a secure place where you can leave your belongings. Any electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be silenced and placed in the designated spot for electronic devices.
3. Follow any instructions from the proctor.
   • During your exam, you will be proctored by a StAAR employee or student worker. If you have any questions during your exam, please inform the proctor and they will reach out to your professor.
   • Additional rules and guidelines for exams may apply, as applicable, and will be communicated to you before you begin your exam.
4. Abide by Tufts' Academic Integrity policies.
   • All students taking exams at the StAAR Center are expected to abide by the Tufts Academic Integrity Policies. Failure to abide by these policies may result in your ability to take exams at StAAR being revoked and/or an academic integrity violation. 

Final exam booking at the StAAR Center follows a slightly different process. Students will not be able to book final exams at the StAAR Center until about half-way into the semester. Information about this process and the timeline for booking finals will be communicated to students by email during the semester.