University Testing Center Policies and Procedures
Please read through these policies before your first exam in the UTC. Familiarity with these rules ensures a smooth experience from your arrival at the center to when you hand in your exam.
The testing center is designed to offer students greater flexibility in scheduling with slots available across a three-day window for each assigned exam.
Conveniently located in the Teaching and Learning Complex adjacent to the Silo and across from the bus station, the UTC offers a dedicated space in which to take your exams. In the center, there’s room to stow your bag, assigned desk space and an environment designed to disincentivize cheating so that all exams are fair.
Please do your part to help the UTC give everyone the best opportunity to succeed on their exams by following the policies below.
Checking in
To take an exam, you need a reservation, which you can make at the PrairieTest website (Link to PrairieTest)
Check-in begins 10 minutes before your exam starts. Use this time to get your ID scanned, store your belongings and get seated. In a given exam session, all students start testing at the same time. However, all exams may not run for a full 50 minutes. You are free to hand in your exam and depart when you are finished.
Bring your AggieCard ID. You must present your AggieCard ID to check in. If you do not have a valid ID, your exam may be canceled and you will need to reschedule once you have identification available.
Late arrivals. No additional time is given to students who arrive late. If you arrive more than 10 minutes after the session start time, you will not be admitted and marked as a no-show. You will need to delete your reservation before you can rebook.
Student items and belongings
Keep your desk clear during the exam. Only the following items are permitted:
- Materials provided by UTC staff:
- Your exam
- Paper for your responses, if needed
- Scratch paper, if wanted
- Materials that are your responsibility to bring:
- A pen or pencil
- Any additional materials authorized by your instructor
- A closed water bottle with a secure lid
Store all other items in the shelving units along the testing center wall before you sit down.
The following guidelines apply to specific items:
| Item | Policy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bags and backpacks | Place on the designated bag racks, not on the floor. | ||
| Wallets, pencil cases and similar items | Store in your bag or leave on the proctor desk. Not permitted at your workstation. Do not bring your entire pencil pouch to your desk; bring only the writing implement that you will use. | ||
| Electronic devices (phones, smartwatches, earbuds, Fitbits, smart glasses) | Must be left in your bag. Keeping any device with you during the exam is reported as cheating. Use of any smart glasses within the testing center is not allowed, even if for a prescription. | ||
| Jackets and sweaters | Store in your bag or drape over the back of your seat. Do not place on your lap. | ||
| Food | Testers may not eat food in the testing center. |
More about exam materials
Scratch paper is available from UTC staff. Take only what you need. Raise your hand and ask a proctor if you need more during your exam. Scratch paper must stay in the room and be recycled before you leave. Do not write on scratch paper before your exam begins. Return any clean, unused scratch paper. Recycle all used scratch paper before recovering your bag and leaving the testing center.
Writing utensils. Please bring your own pen or pencil. Pencils are available from UTC staff if you forget yours.
Formula sheets, reference materials, calculators, etc. No personal notes, textbooks, or printed materials are permitted unless specifically stipulated by your instructor on the exam. If your instructor has made a formula sheet available, it will be provided by UTC staff along with your exam materials. If you are allowed to bring in a page of notes or a calculator, that will be clearly stipulated by your instructor.
Lost or stolen items
The testing center is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings. Bring valuables at your own risk.
Restroom policy
We strongly recommend using the restroom before your exam begins. The restroom policy depends on the length of your exam:
| Item | Policy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-minute exams | You may use the restroom, but you will not be permitted to continue your exam afterward unless you have a specific accommodation. | ||
| Exams longer than 50 minutes | You may use the restroom and continue your exam. Your instructor is notified when you leave the room. The exam timer does not stop. |
The following rules apply whenever you leave the room during an exam:
- Only one student may be out of the room at a time
- Empty your pockets before leaving and when returning
- Talking to anyone or accessing any materials outside the room is considered cheating
- UTC reserves the right to monitor students going to and returning from the restroom.
Missed exams
If you miss your exam and the testing window is still open, you need to delete your reservation before you can rebook. You can do this by email to [email protected] or speaking with testing center staff.
If the testing window is closed, contact your instructor to arrange an alternative. UTC staff cannot extend testing windows or offer exams outside of a designated testing window.
If you cannot find an available reservation slot, keep checking PrairieTest as slots may open up when other students reschedule. You can also visit the testing center at check-in time and ask if any seats are available due to no-shows or cancellations — note that any wait time cannot be added to your total exam duration.
Academic integrity
To ensure test security and to uphold fairness, the testing center is equipped with surveillance cameras overseen by UTC staff. Recordings are retained for 30 days except in documented instances of possible academic integrity violation. See Notice of Recording below for more information.
Notice of Recording
To ensure test security and to uphold fairness, the testing center is equipped with surveillance cameras overseen by UTC staff. The surveillance cameras continuously record video and may capture personally identifying information about you during your visit to the testing center. The surveillance cameras do not collect audio.
The camera recordings are primarily used for academic integrity purposes but may also be used and shared as permitted by UC Davis policy or law. The camera recordings may be shared with your instructor, the Office of Student Conduct and Integrity, other university departments, or as permitted by university policy or law.
Recordings are retained for 30 days except in documented instances of possible academic integrity violation, or as required by university policy or applicable law for longer retention.
If you have questions about this notice, please email the center at [email protected].
UTC policies on academic misconduct are outlined in the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct, Section 102.01 {link: https://studentconduct.ucdavis.edu/}. All forms of academic misconduct — including cheating, fabrication, plagiarism and facilitating academic dishonesty — are prohibited.
The following are considered cheating offenses at the testing center and will result in an incident report being submitted to your instructor:
- Using a cell phone, smartwatch, smart glasses, or any other electronic device during your exam
- Bringing in external notes, index cards, unauthorized help sheets, or any materials related to the exam that are not explicitly authorized for your exam by your instructor
- Using a personal calculator or other device not explicitly authorized for your exam by your instructor
- Leaving the lab with used or unused testing center scratch paper
- Starting your exam before the proctor gives authorization
- Continuing to work after the proctor announces time is up
- Talking to anyone or accessing any materials while outside the exam room
- Sharing specific exam content with classmates who have not yet taken the exam
- Any other activity that violates the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct.
Proctors will document and report all suspected violations to your instructor. Instructors will determine the appropriate follow-up, which may include submission of a formal Student Conduct Report. If you witness academic dishonesty, notify testing center staff during the exam or before you leave — all reports are handled confidentially.
For more information on academic integrity as well as applicable UC Davis codes, read the Academic Integrity webpage.
Questions and incident reports
If you encounter any issues during your exam, raise your hand to receive assistance from a proctor. Proctors cannot answer questions about exam content but can help with technical issues and facility concerns.
If you experience a problem that may affect your exam performance, you have the right to request an incident report. This report is sent to your instructor to ensure they are also aware of what occurred. You must speak with UTC staff and request the report before leaving the exam! UTC staff cannot file reports after you leave the room.
Support resources
If you struggle during exam season, UC Davis offers a range of mental health resources through Aggie Mental Health.
Questions?
Email UTC staff at [email protected] with any questions. For exam content, grades or scheduling concerns, contact your instructor or course staff directly.