Overview of Accommodated Testing
The Momentum Center for Accommodated Testing serves as one of the testing locations for students with approved exam accommodations. Located in the Holman Biotech Commons, Blue Basement Level (3610 Hamilton Walk), the center and its satellite campus sites provide distraction-reduced testing environments. To maximize testing capacity and ensure equitable access for all students, exam locations are assigned by testing staff based on availability and accommodation needs. Requests for a specific testing location cannot be considered, as all testing sites provide comparable distraction-reduced environments and support approved accommodations.
Students with approved testing accommodations must schedule their exams online through the MyWeingartenCenter portal at least eight (8) days in advance of their exam date.
If a student misses the scheduling deadline, they must visit the Weingarten Center in Stouffer Commons located at 3702 Spruce Street, Suite 300, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to meet with a staff member who can assist with scheduling their exam.
Exam reservations are not accepted by telephone or email. Questions regarding accommodated testing may be directed to sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu.
Implementation of Accommodations
Distraction-Reduced Testing Environment:
All Disability Services testing locations provide quiet, distraction-reduced environments designed to support student focus and minimize external interruptions during exams. Earplugs and noise-canceling headphones are available upon request.
Extended Time:
Extended testing time is determined through the interactive process between the student and their assigned Disability Specialist.
Access to Assistive Technology:
Testing locations are equipped with a variety of technology resources to support students’ approved accommodations. Available tools may include text-to-speech software, speech-to-text (dictation) technology, ZoomText, and other assistive technologies based on individual student needs.
Individualized Support:
Accommodation Specialists who supervise the testing sites are trained to assist test-takers and ensure that approved accommodations are implemented effectively. Staff work closely with students to support their testing needs and ensure that accommodations are provided in accordance with each student’s approved accommodation plan.
Common Questions
Q: How do I schedule an exam at the Weingarten Center?
A: You can schedule your exam by logging into MyWeingartenCenter portal. A tutorial is available in the portal that provides guidance in handling test reservations. If you experience difficulties scheduling your exam, please contact sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu for assistance.
Q: How far in advance do I need to schedule an exam through the Weingarten Center?
A: Students must schedule their exams at least eight (8) days in advance. However, we strongly encourage students to schedule exams as soon as possible to ensure availability. If a student misses the 8-day deadline, they must visit the Weingarten Center in Stouffer Commons during business hours (9am-5pm) to meet with a staff member for assistance. Students are encouraged to schedule all their exams at the beginning of the semester. Please note that testing space cannot be guaranteed for late requests.
Q: What should I bring on the day of the exam?
A: Students should bring a valid form of identification, such as their Penn id card, and any materials permitted by their instructor, such as calculators, notes, or other approved resources. Snacks and beverages are permitted; however, students are asked to be mindful of fellow test-takers and avoid bringing items that may be distracting, such as foods with strong odors or noisy packaging.
Q: Can I use my own laptop for exams?
A: Students with an approved accommodation for computer use typically test on a Disability Services laptop. These devices provide access to approved assistive technologies and testing software, including lockdown browsers when required. Personal laptops may be used only with prior approval from both the course instructor and the Accommodation Specialists.
Q: What if I need to reschedule my exam?
A: If you need to reschedule an exam, please contact Disability Services as soon as possible by emailing sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu. Include your course information and details about the requested change. Also, include your instructor on the email so that the professor is aware of your request. Staff will review the request and work with you and your professor to identify available options.
Q: What happens if I arrive late for my exam?
A: Students who arrive late to the test site might risk losing their test space and will need to discuss options with their professor about taking the exam. Depending on the testing schedule, staff will determine whether the exam can still be administered as planned and will communicate any necessary adjustments. If a student is permitted to take the test, the student might not receive their entire test time. The professor will also be notified of the student’s tardiness and any adjustments to the test time.
Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about accommodated testing?
A: For questions related to accommodated testing, scheduling, technology, or testing procedures, please contact sds-test@vpul.upenn.edu or call 215-898-3034. Staff are available to assist and answer questions about the testing process.
Written by: Emily Trott, Assistive Technology Specialist, Weingarten Center
Communicating with Faculty About Your Accommodations
If you are approved for academic accommodations by your Weingarten Center disability specialist, you will need to submit a semester request through the MyWeingartenCenter portal. This process gives students the chance to review their accommodations and decide which accommodations to activate for each of their current classes. Completing the Semester Request also sends a notification to their course instructors, allowing them to review the students’ accommodation letters. These letters list the accommodations but do not provide any disability-related information.
After you take this step, you are strongly encouraged to meet with your professors during office hours to discuss how the accommodations will be implemented. You are not expected to discuss your disability or anything disability-related, as those discussions remain confidential between you and your disability specialist.
When you meet with your instructor, discuss what your accommodation entails. You should carefully read the course syllabi and consider what elements of the course might be a challenge. Be open to the faculty having creative ways of handling some accommodations, especially those that may not be common in their courses. However, you should always be honest about what will and will not be helpful.
Your assigned disability specialist is available to guide you through the process if you need help preparing for a conversation with a faculty member, if you already had a conversation with the instructor and are feeling uncertain about it, or if you simply do not feel comfortable getting the conversation started.
At the start of every semester, the Weingarten Center will email a reminder that students previously approved for academic accommodations must submit a new semester request in order to apply their accommodations to their current courses and send accommodation letters to those instructors. Please note that if you add a course after submitting a semester request (during the course selection period), you will need to submit another semester request for that additional course. Otherwise, faculty for that course will not be notified of your approved accommodations.
Overall, the best approach is for students to actively communicate with their professors and their disability specialists.
Your Accommodations Have Been Approved: What Happens Next?
Once your disability specialist has approved your accommodations, follow these steps to ensure that your accommodations are implemented in a timely manner:
Review Weingarten Center Emails: Be on the lookout for an email from Disability Services listing the following steps you will need to take within your MyWeingartenCenter portal: (1) sign the Acceptances of Services Letter; and (2) submit a Semester Request to activate or renew approved academic accommodations (this step generates a notification to be sent to professors and/or program liaison(s) of the accommodations). Before submitting a Semester Request, you will be able to review your accommodations and decide which accommodations to activate for each course.
Don’t forget Add/Drop and the Need to Renew Accommodations Each Semester: If you add a course after submitting a Semester Request, you will need to submit an additional Semester Request within your MyWeingartenCenter portal for that course. Each semester you’ll need to submit a Semester Request to renew your accommodations and have accommodation letters sent to your professors and/or program liaison(s).
Speak with your Professors or Liaisons: Once your professors/liaisons receive the accommodation letters, we encourage you to discuss with them how your accommodations will be implemented. Professors/liaisons are notified about accommodations but not about students’ disabilities. The Weingarten Center keeps information about diagnosis and all supporting documentation confidential.
Book Your Exams: If you have testing accommodations and would like Disability Services to proctor your exams, you will need to schedule each quiz or exam at least eight days in advance through the MyWeingartenCenter portal. It’s best to review your syllabi and book all exams at once. You can stop by the Weingarten Center in Stouffer Commons during business hours for assistance. Alternatively, you can ask your professors to proctor your exams with accommodations.
Reserve Penn Accessible Transit: If you are approved for Penn Accessible Transit, your Disability Specialist will provide instructions on how to request transportation services to and from campus. You can schedule rides through the Penn Transit mobile app (if the location is within the service area boundary) or by calling the Penn Transit phone number.
Schedule a Follow-Up Appointment with Your Disability Specialist: You are encouraged to stay in touch with your disability specialist throughout your time at Penn. You can ask questions about current accommodations, request supplemental accommodations or discuss other topics such as neuropsychological evaluations, campus accessibility, academic support options or other campus resources.