FAQs for Students

For AIM access questions, please reach out to DAO directly.

The Testing Center does not schedule exams for students. Students are responsible for scheduling all of their exams in AIM as soon as possible but no later than 3 business days before the exam date. Please note that weekend days, closure days, holidays, and breaks are not considered business days.

To schedule your exams at the Testing Center, follow the steps on the Testing Center website, or watch this demo video showing how to schedule an exam in AIM.

After you submit your exam request through AIM, you will receive an email confirming your submission. You will receive another email once the request is reviewed by the Testing Center staff.

A student may arrive up to 10 minutes before the exam begins.  If you arrive earlier than that, you will be asked to find a designated area to wait until closer to the exam time. Please check in at the front desk 10 minutes before your exam starts.

Student can start their exam 5 minutes before the scheduled exam time only when the scheduling capacity allows it.

Students are allowed to arrive up to 30 minutes late for their scheduled exam. However, any time spent arriving late will be deducted from their exam time. If a student arrives more than 30 minutes after their scheduled start time, they will be marked as a “No Show” and will not be permitted to take the exam at the Testing Center.

Students may reschedule or cancel their exam through AIM. A reschedule request must be approved by the Testing Center before it’s confirmed. Due to logistical limitations, rescheduling requests within less than 24 hours (1 business day) will not be accommodated. 

All students are permitted to use restrooms during their exam. Students need to flag the floating proctor to let them know they are going to the restroom.

The proctors will circulate all testing spaces and/or come in and remain in the testing room for a portion or the entirety of the exam.

You can email the Testing Center at testingcenter@fas.harvard.edu.

The Testing Center is located on the lower level of the Hilles Building at 59 Shepard St, Cambridge.  When you arrive, a proctor will direct you to your exam space.

The testing center is accessible by the Quad SEC Direct, Quad Express and Quad Stadium Harvard Shuttle routes during Testing center hours. The Daytime Van service can also be scheduled.    Hilles is less than a mile from Harvard Yard and is accessible on foot via Garden Street. Bluebikes are also available to rent around campus. There are 12 Harvard supported local blue bike stations, and Harvard affiliates are eligible for a discounted Bluebikes Annual Membership.

No, each student is responsible for submitting an exam request through AIM at least three business days in advance of their requested exam time. For detailed information on how to schedule your exams at the Testing Center, please visit the Testing Center website.   

Students who fail to submit an exam request at least three business days in advance of their requested exam time will be considered to have opted-out of using their accommodations and are expected to take the exam with the main class. 

Alternatively, please connect with your course instructor, and copy the testing center, to request an alternate testing date and submit the exam request for the new date at least three business days in advance. 

To be able to schedule your exam the following must be true: 

1. You have requested to use your alternative testing accommodations for that course in AIM through DAO.

• check your Accommodations Action Plan to confirm your selection or reach out to DAO with any questions.

AND 

2. The course opted-in to use the testing center at least 5 business days before the exam date.
   • If you do not see the course listed, ask the course staff directly if they opted-in the testing center pilot. 
   • If you do not see the exam date, ask the course staff directly to confirm that the exam dates are correct/all of the exam dates are entered in AIM. 

All accommodation-related questions must be directed to your DAO advisor. Please note that newly added/approved alternative testing accommodations may take a few days to reflect at the Testing Center.