Academic Tests

Testing Center Dates with Closed or Reduced Hours for Spring 2024

See our Hours and Schedule for service and campus availability.

Taking a Test for Your Course

Many instructors may send students to the Testing Center for one or more of your tests or quizzes. Make sure you contact your instructor to verify when your exam will be available. From there, make sure you do the following:

• Bring a single quarter, your PGCC ID card, and sharpened pencils
• Check the hours and schedule
• Read our rules below
• Call if you have questions

Student Rules and Responsibilities

The following Testing Center rules have been established to insure fairness in the reporting of examination results and to protect the integrity of the examination process. Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in the denial of access to, or expulsion from, the Testing Center. Instances of suspected academic dishonesty may result in permanent expulsion from the Testing Center and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings as outlined in the College's Code of Conduct. All such occurrences will be documented and reported to the instructor and/or responsible administrator.

Masks are Recommended in the Testing Center

All PGCC Testing Center locations encourage everyone to wear a face mask to reduce the spread of disease.

Bring Your PGCC Student ID Number

After applying to the school and paying your application fee, you will be assigned a student ID number to be used for placement tests, registration, and exams. You may find this number on your bill, on your schedule, in your Owl Link, and in your PGCC Navigate account. Your student ID number is also encoded in the bar code of your PGCC ID card, if you have one.

Bring One Quarter for the Locker Room

At the Largo campus Testing Center, students are only allowed to have the following items at their desks: photo ID, pen or pencil, and a testing center locker key (if a locker is used). All other possessions brought into the center must be secured in a locker, which requires a quarter. The locker will return this quarter after a student reopens it to retrieve their possessions. Change is not available from our staff.

PGCC Photo IDs are Required

Students taking academic tests (any test or exam required by a course in which a student is enrolled at PGCC) are required to have their PGCC Student ID card, which must be presented to Testing Center staff when checking in. Any student who does not present his/her valid PGCC Student ID card will not be allowed to take any academic tests. We encourage students to obtain a PGCC ID card as soon as possible after they have registered for classes and carry it with them on any PGCC campus.

Prospective students without PGCC ID cards who want to take the placement test should refer to the placement test instructions.

Enrolled Students Must be Vaccinated Against COVID-19

The College has a COVID-19 vaccination mandate in place, which applies to students taking academic tests for courses. Please read the College's coronavirus information page for the latest rules and restrictions.

Students in the Testing Center at Closing Time have 30 Minutes to Complete Testing

Students cannot enter the Testing Center at the posted closing time. Please refer to the schedule to find out the last possible time to begin your exam. Regardless of when students enter, they will have no more than 30 minutes after closing time to finish and submit their exams.

Personal Property Must be Secured in Lockers

Students are only allowed to have the following items at their desks: PGCC ID, pen or pencil, a testing center locker key (if a locker is used), and a calculator provided by the testing center (if permitted on the test). All other possessions brought into the center must be secured in a locker, which requires a quarter. The quarter is returned when the locker is reopened. Change is not available from college staff.

The Testing Center now provides calculators which can be borrowed for use during your test. Provided calculators must be returned to staff before you check out of the Testing Center.

Examinees may not bring food, drink, chewing gum or candy into the Center.

Any other item or material which the Testing Center staff determines to be a security risk, potentially disruptive or distracting for any reason is not allowed.

Only Examinees are Allowed in the Center

Friends, family, children, spouses, etc. are not permitted.

Examinees May Not Leave the Center after Testing has Begun

Once an examination has been distributed, the student may not leave the room for any reason. If a medical condition exists which requires frequent use of restroom facilities, written permission must be obtained from Disability Support Services prior to an examination. Violation of this rule is considered academic dishonesty violation and will be treated and disciplined as such.

Conduct While in the Testing Center

The following Testing Center rules have been established to insure fairness in the reporting of examination results and to protect the integrity of the examination process. Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in the denial of access to, or expulsion from, the Testing Center. Instances of suspected academic dishonesty may result in permanent expulsion from the Testing Center and the initiation of disciplinary proceedings as outlined in the College's Code of Conduct. All such occurrences will be documented and reported to the instructor and/or responsible administrator. Breaking any Testing Center rules is considered a violation of the College's Code of Conduct.

• Students are only allowed to have the following items at their desks: PGCC ID, pen or pencil, a testing center locker key (if a locker is used), and a calculator provided by the testing center (if permitted on the test). All other possessions brought into the center must be secured in a locker, which requires a quarter. The quarter is returned when the locker is reopened. Change is not available from our staff. Change machines are located in vending areas around the campus.
• Any other item or material which the Testing Center staff determines to be a security risk or potentially disruptive or distracting will not be allowed.
• Mobile phones, smartphones, and all electronic communication, data storage, or recording devices are prohibited and cannot be used as calculators or for any other purpose. Possession of these devices is a violation of academic integrity and is prohibited.
• Communication with other students while testing is a violation of academic integrity and is prohibited.
• Copying, retaining, or distributing examination questions is a violation of academic integrity and is prohibited.
• Unauthorized use of computers, notes, books, or other study aids is a violation of academic integrity and is prohibited.
• Once testing has begun, students cannot leave the Center until their test is submitted to the Testing Center staff. Once submitted (or abandoned by unauthorized departure) a test cannot be resumed.
• Food, drink, etc. are prohibited.
• No children, family members, or friends are allowed in the testing center. No childcare is provided at the Center.
• Disability accommodations must be requested through and approved by the Disability Support Services Office.
• Students in the Testing Center are subject to strict proctoring and observation at all times.
• Disruptive behavior is prohibited and may result in permanent expulsion from the Center and other student disciplinary measures. Examples of disruptive behavior include the following:
• Talking in the testing area
• Use of loud language
• Use of profane or vulgar language
• Abusive language directed toward staff or other student
• Fighting
• Loud laughing or screaming
• Deliberately persistent annoying or distracting behavior quirks
• Any other behavior which the Testing Center staff determines to be disruptive

Limitations on Use

• No entry to the Testing Center is permitted at the posted closing time
• Students must finish and submit their test no more than 30 minutes after closing time.
• Students may only take one test at a time. A test must be submitted to testing center staff and checked out, before a student may begin another test.

Contact the Testing Center

Email: testingcenter@pgcc.edu
Phone number: 301-546-0147