“The involvement of Academic Testing Services has been incredibly helpful for us and our students!”
“Thank you so much for your help over this past term.
The proctors...were so great and really made the testing process smooth and easy for our students.”
Fall 2025 Term
PSU Academic Testing Services is excited to announce the use of our new scheduling platform, RegisterBlast. This new platform will allow you to provide information about your course exams. Your students will then be able to register to test with ATS based on their accommodations and availability. You can also share your exam documents with us through RegisterBlast, approve students for make-up exams, as well as see which of your students are scheduled to test with us and when. Learn more here about how to provide exam guidance to ATS so your students can register to test with us.
Students need to schedule at least 72 hours before their desired testing time. If scheduled less than 7 business days in advance, we can’t always guarantee the exact time they want will be available, as proctors and testing windows are scheduled based on demand. Early submissions, ideally at the start of the term, help ensure proper coordination between students, instructors, proctors, and the DRC.
If you have any questions, please send an email to testingservices@pdx.edu
Make-Up Exams for Non-DRC Registered Students
In an effort to expand our faculty support, PSU Academic Testing Services (ATS) offers limited support for make-up exams for non-DRC-registered students. This was discontinued during the heart of the pandemic, and we have been keen to resume it as soon as operationally possible. This is now offered on a capacity basis as we must continue to prioritize support for DRC-registered students and their instructors.
When students request to take a makeup exam with Academic Testing Services, we will email the faculty to confirm that the student can test past the deadline that was provided for the exam, even if you have already submitted guidance for the exam for other students. This is to ensure that faculty are aware of students testing with our department and to collect adjusted or additional exam documents if needed.
Making Exams as Accessible and Inclusive as Possible: What Faculty Can Do
At Portland State University, we are committed to providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all our students. This commitment extends to the ways in which we assess learning and administer exams. By leveraging the Canvas learning management system, we can significantly enhance exam accessibility, meet a broad range of academic testing accommodations, and reduce the need for traditional test proctoring.
Accessible and inclusive assessment design can also have a substantial positive impact on student achievement, regardless of disability. Assessments built in accordance with the Universal Design for Learning framework tend to be the most inclusive for everyone. If you should choose to include timed assessments in your course, please review our detailed guidance for enhancing exam accessibility and inclusivity.
An Important Note Regarding the Distraction-Reduced Space Accommodation
Please note that the “Private Room” accommodation is different from the “Distraction-Reduced Space” accommodation. A “Distraction-Reduced Space” does not require a private room. For example, a standard classroom with a capacity of 30+ students may still qualify as distraction-reduced if no more than 12 students are present.
The goal is to minimize noise, movement, and other potential distractions as much as possible. As a general guideline, aim for a room that is no more than one-third full. In some cases, a room at up to half capacity may be acceptable, provided it remains quiet and low in activity.
Additional Information for Faculty
Here are some quick tips for supporting the testing needs of DRC students:
- The student has the right to decide if and when each testing accommodation in the email will be used in the course. Faculty should assume students will use all accommodations listed unless the student indicates otherwise, and should not recommend that the student try testing without accommodations.
- Unless a student has a testing accommodation allowing for them to test in the Testing Center (and this will be indicated in the student’s DRC Faculty Notification Email), the instructor will need to consider their options for proctoring the accommodated exams. Please visit the DRC website for detailed information and guidance on those options: DRC Testing Accommodations for In-Person and Remote/Online Classes
IMPORTANT: Given that we operate out of multiple locations around campus, in-person visits to our administrative office, including to drop off and pick up exams, are by appointment only. Please email testingservices@pdx.edu to schedule an appointment if needed.
Community Testing & Other Non-Accommodated Exams
PSU Academic Testing Services does not provide community testing or services for the exams listed below. More information may be available via the provided links.
Questions?
- For questions about specific student accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center (503-725-4150; drc@pdx.edu).
- For questions about testing procedures, please contact Academic Testing Services (503-725-4459; TestingServices@pdx.edu).
PSU Academic Testing Services (ATS)
Division of Student Success | Academic Affairs
Office Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Email: testingservices@pdx.edu (this is the best, most efficient way to communicate with us)
Telephone: (503) 725-4459