Tag: testing

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

Testing rescheduled on 11/4 and 11/5 due to Clements Hall electrical outage

On Monday, November 4, the university received notice from the Office of Facilities Planning & Management that Clements Hall experienced a power outage. Facilities updated the campus community at 6:41am on November 5 that the building will remain closed today.

All testing appointments on Monday, November 4, and Tuesday, November 5, have been rescheduled due to the Clements Hall electrical outage. Test takers and instructors were notified via their university email addresses and provided with individualized instructions from the University Testing Center staff.

Decisions related to November 6 testing appointments will be made by 4pm on November 5. Please check back for updates.

Classes scheduled in Clements Hall have also been relocated.

Please check the University Testing Center website for up-to-date information regarding testing operations as more information becomes available.

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

Happening Today: SAES-initiated research about U.S. College and University Testing Centers and Patterns of Testing Irregularities

SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

Join us today for a research talk on the Characteristics of U.S. College and University Testing Centers and Patterns of Testing Irregularities conducted by division members.

Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success employees Brittaney Wilson (Office of General Education), Jay Guillory (Office of Student Success and Retention), Melina Padron (Office of General Education), and Dr. Dustin Grabsch (Undergraduate Education and Academic Success) conducted the original, empirical research to benefit SMU’s University Testing Center.

Research Talk: U.S. College and University Testing Centers and Patterns of Testing Irregularities

Texana Room, Fondren Library

Monday, October 7 from 2:30 – 4:00pm

RSVPs encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.

We will share implications for practice and researcher reflections. We will also outline opportunities and discuss how these results and findings will be used at SMU.

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

Limited Testing at University Testing Center on Tuesday, September 17th

SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

The University Testing Center will end testing at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17th so that UTC staff may attend a Student Academic Engagement and Success division meeting.

We will reopen with standard operating hours on Wednesday, September 18th at 8:00 a.m.

Please visit the UTC website or email universitytestingcenter@smu.edu for questions and requests.

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Honors and Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs University Testing Center

New room numbers at the University Testing Center

SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

As part of the renovation of the Scholars’ Den in Clements Hall, room numbers for the University Testing Center (UTC) have changed.

Visitors will still access the UTC at the west end of the Clements Hall basement in suite G15, most directly using the side entrance facing Dallas Hall. Students and professors are to check in at the testing office (now renumbered to room G28) for test administrations and completed test pickup. Students will continue to be assigned to testing labs identified as “Peruna,” “Hilltop,” and “Varsity.”

Room number identification will be updated on the UTC website, the UTC portal for test registration, and in information handouts for both students and professors.

Please contact the UTC at 214-768-6064 or universitytestingcenter@smu.edu with any questions you may have.

 

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Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

No testing at the University Testing Center during Spring Break

The University Testing Center (UTC) will be closed for testing during Spring Break, March 11th – 15th.  The testing office will be open during standard operating hours, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Testing is suspended due to computer installation and scheduled upgrades in the center.

Testing will resume on Monday, March 18th.

For questions, please contact us at 214-768-6064 or at universitytestingcenter@smu.edu.

All the best for a wonderful break!

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University Testing Center

University Testing Center expands services this fall with new test-scheduling software

The 2022-23 academic year brought many exciting changes on the SMU campus, including a three-phased opening of the University Testing Center (UTC) in Clements Hall last August. During phase one, the center began providing accommodated testing services previously proctored by Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS), except scribe and reader tests.

This fall, phase two operations will expand testing services to student-athletes during their sport’s competition season, which necessitated a migration from DASS Link to a new test scheduling software to increase student group access.

The new UTC Portal offers a comprehensive, streamlined approach for delivering additional academic testing and credit-by-exam services to SMU students and local community partners during the phase three expansion in Spring 2024.

Watch our new video overviews for students and professors to learn more about our new system. Professors can schedule one-on-one consultations to be oriented to the new platform.

The UTC is certified by the National College Testing Association (NCTA) and adheres to professional standards ensuring exam integrity and accessibility for both examiners and examinees.

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University Testing Center

University Testing Center closed for Good Friday

Following University policy, the University Testing Center will be closed on Good Friday, April 7th. We will resume regular hours on Monday, April 10th. Visit smu.edu/testing for more details.

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University Testing Center

Bring life, and nature, into the University Testing Center this SMU Giving Day

Opened for less than one academic year, the University Testing Center seeks to bring life and nature into the center this SMU Giving Day.

Our mission is to provide a secure and professional testing center, as well as one that is inviting, comfortable, and supports the emotional well-being of our students and community clients. In our first few months, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors about our facility in the Clements Hall basement.

Adding live foliage at our entrance would create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere in the testing labs.

Example of low-light wall-mounted plants. Similar products could be placed above entrance lockers to create a relaxing testing environment.

Test anxiety is real. It’s a top psychological issue on college campuses far and wide and right here at home on the SMU campus. Nature and plants are proven by social psychologists to reduce stress and calm people. 

At the UTC, we support academic and mental health needs for the most favorable outcomes possible. Can you help us reach our $4,000 goal of bringing more life into the center? Learn more and join us on March 7 for SMU Giving Day.

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University Testing Center

University Testing Center closed for Spring Break

Following the undergraduate academic calendar, the University Testing Center (UTC) will be closed from March 13 through the 17th. The week after, March 20-24, will have adjusted hours from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Reach out to universitytestingcenter@smu.edu or 214-768-6064 for any questions!

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University Testing Center

University Testing Center spring Testing Assistant team members

The University Testing Center welcomes to its team a new Testing Assistant: Yash Guptaa.

Yash will join returning Testing Assistant Matt Swigart in working alongside the Testing Manager and Coordinator to prepare testing rooms, materials, and equipment for test administrations according to individual requirements and accommodation guidelines. Testing Assistants will also proctor online and conventional pen/paper tests.

Yash says, “I enjoy working at the crossroads of travel and strategy.  My interests include, but are not limited to, pen sketching, 8 ball, hiking, and stand-up comedy. I have experience as a business developer and budding entrepreneur.  The previous few months at SMU have been nothing short of a delightful surprise in making valuable connections, and I eagerly await the next step in my path.”

We are glad to introduce you to the team as we jump into the new semester!