Kirkwood Test Center: Test Center process

A major goal of the Test Center in 2024 is to standardize and document our processes. Our general process—the "life cycle" of a Test Center exam—is as follows:

Step 1: Professor submits exam request in RegisterBlast

The process begins with a professor submitting an exam request. This is done through RegisterBlast, the system we use to run the Test Center. Please visit our RegisterBlast resource page for step-by-step instructions on using RegisterBlast.

Step 2: Test Center reviews exam request and approves it

All exam requests will be reviewed by Test Center staff before they go live in the system. This is to ensure that exam requests are complete and correct, that the Test Center has the necessary information to administer the exam, and that any ambiguities can be resolved before students start making appointments.

Please allow 1 business day for us to review and approve your request. If we have any questions, we will contact you by email first.

Step 3: Student registers and schedules and appointment

The Test Center administers exams by appointment only. In your messaging and communications with students, please help us ensure this is not misrepresented. Appointments are not optional.

Step 4: Test Center prepares to administer exam

Once a student has made an appointment, the Test Center prepares to administer the exam. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Printing exam papers and pulling scantron forms
• Setting up computer workstations, individual test rooms, and/or adaptive technology
• Reviewing professor's instructions to ensure all necessary information has been collected

We require students to make appointments so that everything we need to administer the exam is ready in advance. When students arrive without an appointment, this prep time can cause delays in our process and negatively impact the student experience.

Step 5: Student arrives at the Test Center
Step 6: Test Center administers exam

Students are required to present a valid photo ID prior to being admitted to an exam. All IDs must be original documents; photos and scans of ID are not accepted. Students are also required to secure all personal items in a locker prior to entering the test room.

Any irregularities in the test administration are documented via incident reports. These reports are shared with professors via RegisterBlast and/or Maxient.

Step 7: Student completes exam
Step 8: Test Center collects exam and returns it to professor (if applicable)

Computer-delivered exams are submitted automatically when the allotted time expires or when the student finishes testing. Our process for returning printed materials varies depending on the return option the professor selects:

• Return via campus mail: Campus mail is sent once per day. The cut-off time is 2:00 p.m. Exams completed after that cut-off time will be sent in the next business day's campus mail run.
• Scan and return: In most cases, scans will be completed by the end of the same business day. During peak times, scans may be completed by noon on the following business day. All scans will be visible in your RegisterBlast professor module.
• Hold for pickup at Test Center: Exams will be kept in a locked filing cabinet for in-person pickup during our operating hours. Professors (or their designees) must countersign for receipt of all paper exams.