To ensure a fair, secure, and professional testing environment, the Odessa College Testing Center follows strict guidelines that protect both test integrity and the experience of all testing candidates. These policies help maintain compliance with institutional, state, and testing-vendor requirements while ensuring every student has an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge.
All students and community members are expected to follow Testing Center rules regarding identification, personal belongings, prohibited items, and appropriate behavior. Lockers are provided to every testing candidate to store personal belongings. Understanding what is and is not allowed in the Testing Center prevents delays, exam disruptions, or dismissal from testing. By reviewing these policies ahead of time, candidates can arrive prepared, stay in compliance, and focus fully on performing their best on exam day.
- Prohibited Items:
- Food, drinks, water, or chewing gum.
- Jackets, sweaters, hoodies, or outerwear with pockets. Items worn for modesty must be removed and searched by the proctor. A search will be conducted each time after a break.
- Electronic devices (phones, tablets, smart glasses, and earbuds). Phones must be powered off.
- Watches of any kind.
- Hats or head coverings unless for religious purposes.
- Tobacco products (chew/dip, bottle/cup/can to discard, cigarette, vape, e-cig).
- Large jewelry (larger than ¼” or a dime) or jewelry that is distracting in sound.
- Sunglasses or glasses not prescribed.
- Pens, pencils, or paper of any sort. Unless approved by the testing company/sponsor.
- Breaks:
- Notify the proctor before leaving the Testing Center.
- Can only be taken 1 at a time per exam type (ex. 1 Pearson and 1 TEAS).
- Do not leave the building for any reason during a test (including to use tobacco products).
- Cell phones or other technology cannot be accessed during breaks.
- No visitors, family, or friends may wait in the lobby during an exam.
- No children under the age of 18 years old may accompany a testing candidate in a testing room or be left in the lobby during the exam.
- Do not change computer settings, remove icons/bookmarks, change to incognito mode, or change icon layouts.
- Shoes/sandals/boots must be worn at all times.
- Do not write on tables, computer screens, walls, or chairs.
- Do not touch, lean, or write on soundproof panels.
- Late arrival for reservations is 15 minutes. The reservation will be canceled after 15 minutes.