Updates for SDS Testing Services

For testing procedures, we aim to streamline and enhance the SDS testing experience for both faculty and students. These processes implement the efficiency, clarity, and security of the testing accommodation process for both faculty members and students alike. Please feel free to reach out to SDS at proctor@uchicago.edu if you have any questions or need further clarification. 

Students will notify their instructors of their accommodations by sending the Faculty Notification Letter at least 10 days prior to the first exam they wish to use accommodations.

Instructors may review the list of students who have requested accommodations in their course in the AIM Faculty Portal. Instructors may use their UChicago credentials to log in to the portal throughout the quarter. Please note that only instructors of record for a course are able to access the AIM Faculty Portal by default. Instructors of record may request that Teaching Assistants (TAs) or other instructional staff be given access to the AIM Faculty Portal by e-mailing proctor@uchicago.edu.

Faculty will complete the ATA at least 9 days prior to the first quiz/exam they request SDS proctoring support.

• On the ATA, faculty will list all exam dates for the quarter. The ATA can be updated throughout the quarter if exam dates are added or changed. All additions or changes should be updated at least 9 days prior to the changed exam or quiz AND an email should be sent to proctor@uchicago.edu.

• SDS will do its best to schedule the exam at the indicated day/time of the exam for the class. To do so, SDS may require flexibility from instructors of up to 1 business day to allow for situations when this may not be possible. Exams will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis based on when the ATA is received from instructors. Early submission increases your chances of SDS being able to accommodate your preferred exam date/time. Instructors who choose not to permit the 24-hour flexibility with scheduling, must make alternative arrangements for their students’ assessments with accommodations. 

SDS will proctor exams in the SDS Testing Center for all students with testing accommodations until capacity is reached. Once SDS receives the ATA, SDS will make testing arrangements for the exam(s). Scheduling exams on behalf of students involves carefully balancing the exam date/time indicated in the ATA, the students’ course schedules, proctoring space, and proctor availability. If SDS does not have availability to proctor an exam due to space or staffing constraints, or due to a student’s scheduled course conflict, SDS will reach out to the instructor to discuss available options. This may include rescheduling the student’s exam to a date/time when all these factors are in alignment.

Faculty must upload their exam to our AIM system. Exam submissions via email will not be accepted. Instructors may upload their exam via the AIM Faculty Portal or by using the upload link provided in the reminder message sent to instructors on the business day before the exam. The exam must be uploaded by 3:00 PM on the business day before the exam. If exams are not received by this time, instructors must either make their own testing arrangements, honoring the approved accommodations, or they may work with SDS to make other testing arrangements at a different time. SDS will do its best to come up with a reasonable alternative date/time.

Instructors should note that only one file upload will be accepted per exam. Exams that contain multiple components (e.g., formula sheets, financial reference documents) must be combined and uploaded as a single document.

Completed exams will be scanned and returned to the instructor or their designee(s) via the AIM Faculty Portal within 2 business days after the conclusion of the exam.

A guide to accessing completed exams (PDF) is available on our website as a resource to instructors.

Faculty may also plan to proctor exams themselves or coordinate exams in collaboration with their department. SDS has an Instructor Guide available on our website as a resource to instructors who are administering their students’ exams with accommodations. SDS is also available to provide additional guidance or training to faculty and/or staff who will administer student exams with accommodations.

Please feel free to contact SDS at proctor@uchicago.edu if you have any questions or need further clarification on any of the above.