Alternative Testing Agreement FAQ | Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing

The Alternative Testing Agreement allows students with Alternative Testing Accommodations to schedule in-person, paper/pencil assessments outside of the classroom and in the University Testing Center with accommodations. It is important to note:

The agreement only applies to in-person, paper/pencil assessments.
Your prompt addition of every assessment date is necessary for the best scheduling experience.
The Testing Center’s limited space might mean there are times when we will ask for your consideration in approving alternate assessment times for your students.

Question: What is an Alternative Testing Agreement?

Answer: An Alternative Testing Agreement is an online form associated with a class. The form, including a questionnaire and exam dates, is available through the DRS Instructor Portal. The agreement provides the Testing Center staff with instructions regarding the administration and proctoring of every in-person, paper/pencil assessment (quizzes, exams, finals) offered in the class throughout the semester. Completing the agreement fully with every exam date from your syllabus at the start of the term is the best practice.

Question: What if I am only administering online exams?

Answer: Do not complete the Alternative Testing Agreement. Instead, follow this navigation to select your Exam Management Method:

Log in to the DRS Instructor Portal
Review the FERPA information on the ACCESS POLICY page, then click Continue to View Student Accommodations to navigate to the OVERVIEW page
On the left side of the OVERVIEW page, click Alternative Testing to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page
On the top of the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page, click the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT tab to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT page (although you will not be completing the agreement, continue reading)
On the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT page, (Although you will not be completing the agreement) Navigate to your CLASS and click the link next to your CLASS that reads Specify
Navigate to the AVAILABLE OPTION FOR CLASS box
In the AVAILABLE OPTION FOR CLASS box, Under Exam Management Method, select All exams are online/I will proctor my own exams
Under Confirm Task, select Confirm to Proceed
Click Submit your Selection

You and your student will receive an automated email based on your selection. Depending on your selection, expect to accommodate students outside of the Testing Center and/or virtually. Please review the Instructor Resources for Remote Learning regarding accommodating students with online exams.

Question: How will students let me know about their Alternative Testing Accommodation?

Answer: DRS students must request and select which accommodation they want for each class and schedule a notification email to be delivered to you each semester. You will receive a Disability Notification Letter via email. The Disability Notification Letter will list the alternative testing accommodations requested by the student. In addition to the email notification, you can review a student’s Disability Notification Letter in your DRS Instructor Portal anytime.

Question: So, my exams are in-person and on paper in the classroom. What do I do?

Answer: Complete the Alternative Testing Agreement questionnaire and specify the date and time of every assessment you offer. Please try your best to do this as soon as the semester begins in order to provide the best scheduling experience for your students. It’s important that you complete the agreement well in advance of the first exam to ensure your students can schedule exams accordingly. ADD ALL EXAM DATES AT ONCE. YOUR STUDENTS CAN ONLY SCHEDULE BASED ON THE DATES YOU’VE PROVIDED.

Question: How do I access and complete the Alternative Testing Agreement questionnaire and add exam dates?

Answer: You will access and complete the Alternative Testing Agreement questionnaire and continue on to specify exam dates on the Alternative Testing page of your Instructor Portal. Follow this navigation to get started:

Log in to the DRS Instructor Portal
Review the FERPA information on the ACCESS POLICY Page, then click Continue to View Student Accommodations to navigate to the OVERVIEW page
On the left side of the OVERVIEW page, click Alternative Testing to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page
On the top of the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page, click the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT tab to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT page
On the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT page, navigate to your CLASS and click the link next to your CLASS that reads Specify
Navigate to the AVAILABLE OPTION FOR CLASS box
In the AVAILABLE OPTION FOR CLASS box, Under Exam Management Method, select The Testing Center will proctor my exams
Under Confirm Task, select Confirm to Proceed
Click Submit your Selection to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT – DETAILS page
On the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT – DETAILS page
- Review the text in the COURSE INFORMATION box
- Complete the Questionnaire in the LIST OF QUESTIONS box
- Provide your Phone Number in the CONTACT INFORMATION box (note that the phone number is for staff use only and students cannot access this information)
Review all details on the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT – DETAILS page
Navigate to the bottom of the page to the FORM SUBMISSION box
Click SUBMIT AND CONTINUE TO SPECIFY EXAM DATES
On the LIST EXAM DATES tab, in the EXAM DETAIL BOX, specify the following fields:
- Type
- Approval Method (You are encouraged to select "Approve If Scheduled on Any Date" to provide scheduling flexibility due to student accommodations and the Testing Center’s limited space)
- Date
- Time
- Standard Length of Exam
Click SAVE EXAM DATE when you have confirmed the exam date, time, and length details
Continue to add all exam dates from your syllabus. Students can only schedule based on the dates you provide.

NOTE: When selecting an exam approval method, you are strongly encouraged to be flexible and consider refraining from using the most restrictive “Approve if scheduled on the specified date and time” method.

Question: How will students arrange to take their test with accommodations in the Testing Center?

Answer: Students will make an electronic request through the DRS Student Portal based on the exam dates provided by you in your Alternative Testing Agreement. Students must submit their Alternative Testing Request in advance (at least three business days for exams held during the academic term and at least seven business days for exams held during fall/spring finals week) of the test.

Question: Can students who have DRS alternative testing accommodations decide when they take the exam in the Testing Center?

Answer: Yes, students select the date and time from the exam dates you provided. Before they submit their alternative testing request, they can adjust the date or time. If they schedule for a date or time in conflict with your approval method, you will be required to Approve or Propose Rescheduling. Any variation in exam start time should first be discussed with you.

Question: Will I be notified when my student submits an Alternative Testing Request?

Answer: You will not always be notified. You will only receive an email notification when a student submits an Alternative Testing Request that conflicts with the exam dates and associated approval methods you provided. The email requiring your attention will have the subject [DRS] New Alternative Testing Request - REVIEW AND APPROVAL REQUIRED. It’s important that you review the email and Approve or Propose Rescheduling an Alternative Testing Request promptly. (See below Question: I received the email with the subject [DRS] New Alternative Testing Request - REVIEW AND APPROVAL REQUIRED. I’m okay with my student taking the exam at a different time than the class exam. How do I approve it?)

Question: What if my student is scheduled for the wrong date or time?

Answer: If a student schedules in conflict with your designated approval method, you will need to Approve or Propose Rescheduling. You will receive an email notification with the subject [DRS] New Alternative Testing Request - REVIEW AND APPROVAL REQUIRED. It’s important that you review the email and approve or propose rescheduling an alternative testing request promptly.

Question: I received the email with the subject [DRS] New Alternative Testing Request - REVIEW AND APPROVAL REQUIRED. I’m okay with my student taking the exam at a different time than the class exam. How do I approve it?

Answer: The notification email with the subject [DRS] New Alternative Testing Request - REVIEW AND APPROVAL REQUIRED should be reviewed carefully to determine the Status. Scroll down to the bottom of the email to click the link Review Exam Request. This takes you to the Instructor Portal. In the APPROVAL NEEDED box, click APPROVE EXAM REQUEST. If you are okay with the student testing anytime, you might want to update your approval method to a less restrictive option such as “Approve if scheduled on any date”.

Question: I do not offer scheduling flexibility and students must take exams on the date and time of the class exam. My student scheduled for one week after the class exam and I won’t allow for it. What do I do?

In the APPROVAL NEEDED box, click PROPOSE RESCHEDULING.
In the RESCHEDULING INFORMATION box, select a message for DRS alternative testing staff. Please consider approving a reasonable alternative time, considering the student could be faced with capacity restrictions when scheduling.
In the FORM SUBMISSION box, click SUBMIT REQUEST

Your rescheduling information and Reason for Rescheduling will be sent directly to the DRS office. Based on your reason for rescheduling, the DRS office will contact the student to reschedule to an approved date or time.

Question: What should I do if I need to update the information on my Alternative Testing Agreement questionnaire or exam dates?

Answer: While DRS asks that you complete the Alternative Testing Agreement once at the beginning of the semester to be inclusive of information for every assessment during the term, it is very possible you will need to edit the agreement throughout the term. You can edit the Alternative Testing Agreement by following this navigation:

Log in to the DRS Instructor Portal
Review the FERPA information on the ACCESS POLICY Page, then click Continue to View Student Accommodations to navigate to the OVERVIEW page
On the left side of the OVERVIEW page, click Alternative Testing to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page
On the top of the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page, click the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT tab to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT page
On the ALTERNATIVE TESTING AGREEMENT page, navigate to your CLASS and click the link next to your CLASS that reads View
Update your questionnaire and click UPDATE AND VIEW EXAM DATES to continue
Modify, delete, or add exam dates if needed.
If adding a new exam date, be sure to click save.
Otherwise, your questionnaire updates are effectively complete.
If you update the agreement questionnaire or exam dates within 24 hours of an assessment, it’s important you contact the Testing Center (tests@pitt.edu, 412) 624-7215) immediately to ensure the update is received and applied to any applicable assessments.

Question: When and how do I upload my exam file?

Answer: You can upload your exam file only after a student has submitted their alternative testing request. That is because you are uploading the file directly to the student’s scheduled request. DRS asks that instructors ensure there is an exam file uploaded to each upcoming alternative testing request, preferably at least 24 business hours in advance. Follow these instructions to upload an exam file:

Log in to the DRS Instructor Portal
Review the FERPA information on the ACCESS POLICY Page, then click Continue to View Student Accommodations to navigate to the OVERVIEW page
On the left side of the OVERVIEW page, click Alternative Testing to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page
On the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page, you will view a table of all upcoming alternative testing requests submitted by your students.
Select the alternative testing request to which you would like to upload a file, and you will upload an exam file directly to a student request. You can upload the same file to many student requests, too.

NOTE: A student cannot sit for an exam without an alternative testing request and an exam file upload. In order for instructors to upload exams, students must submit an alternative testing request first. If your student has not scheduled a request, you will be unable to upload your exam for that student. Please feel free to contact DRS if you have any questions.

Question: How do I know my file has been successfully uploaded?

Answer: Once you have successfully uploaded your exam file, you will receive a message confirming your upload. You’re asked to confirm there is an appropriate file uploaded to each upcoming alternative testing request in your Instructor Portal.

Question: How do I retrieve a student’s completed exam from the Testing Center?

Answer: You will retrieve the completed exam as indicated in your Alternative Testing Agreement. You can either select to pick up the completed exam in the Testing Center and/or select to have Testing Center staff upload the completed exam to the DRS Instructor Portal. Upload to the Portal is preferred. You will access the completed exam file from the COMPLETED FILES page of your Instructor Portal. Follow this navigation:

Login to the DRS Instructor Portal
Review the FERPA information on the ACCESS POLICY Page, then click Continue to View Student Accommodations to navigate to the OVERVIEW page
On the left side of the OVERVIEW page, click Alternative Testing to navigate to the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page
On the top of the ALTERNATIVE TESTING page, click the COMPLETED FILES tab to navigate to the COMPLETED FILES page

Question: Who do I contact if the completed exam scan is too faint, illegible, or missing pages?

Answer: Please contact the Testing Center at (412) 624-7215 or tests@pitt.edu to ask for a new scan. Or, you can go to the Testing Center in room G-33 of the Cathedral of Learning to pick up the paper copy at any time.

Question: Who do I contact if I have questions about the Alternative Testing Agreement?

Answer: Please contact DRS at (412) 648-7890 or alt.testing@pitt.edu if you have any questions about the Alternative Testing Agreement.

Question: What offices are involved in the coordination and administration of exams?

Answer: DRS coordinates the scheduling of exams. The University of Pittsburgh Testing Center administers the exams as well as uploads completed exam files. Location details and contact information for each office are included here.

Disability Resources and Services (DRS)	The University of Pittsburgh Testing Center
First Floor, 140 William Pitt Union 3959 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Phone (412) 648-7890 Alt.testing@pitt.edu	Ground Floor, G-33 Cathedral of Learning 4200 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Phone (412) 624-7215 tests@pitt.edu