Testing lab walk-in gets positive reviews in first semester

• Unified Technology Support said the first semester of walk-in only testing labs was a success.

• UTS said no students needed to wait more than 10 minutes to take a test and they received few complaints.

• Some students are pleased with the new system and suggest that a special lab be created for those taking particularly long tests.

Since switching to walk-in only at the beginning of the semester, the longest wait for the testing labs has been 20 minutes, said the director of Unified Technology Support.

Fawn Gary, the director of UTS, said the reaction to the change throughout the semester has been overwhelmingly positive.

“When we were completely on scheduled labs, we would always get complaints from students and sometimes parents that they couldn’t get an appointment to take a test,” she said. “Since we have gone to walk-in labs, we haven’t received complaints about that.”

With Finals Week just around the corner, Gary said she is confident the walk-in system will allow students to take tests when they want to, instead of forcing them to wake up early or stay up late.

“We received very positive reviews because students could take the test when they are ready,” she said. “[During Finals Week, students] can come to the library and study, then the lab [would be available] in the library right there to take the test.”

During Finals Week last semester, the testing labs were open for walk-ins and gathered four hours of waiting the entire week, said Gary. She said if the labs do become clogged during Finals Week, Unified Technology plans to open additional labs to accommodate the influx in students.

Gabby Harris, a freshman pre-med major, said although she had to wait for about 10 minutes to take a test, she still prefers the new system.

“As long as you get there at a good time, you should be able to take your exam,” she said.

Harris did complain, however, asking for a place for students who need longer than half an hour to take a test so they don’t hold a seat for longer, allowing more students to use the computers.

Gary said the new system allows more students to access the labs than before because students would skip a scheduled lab time 25 to 30 percent of the time. Students would also schedule the maximum two hours to take a test but use the computer for less than an hour.

Sharon Marshall, a freshman general studies major, agrees that the walk-in system is convenient.

“I think it’s easier just to walk in, because I can plan it around my daily life,” she said.

Unified Technology provides a website and app so students can see the percentage of labs in used at apps.bsu.edu/TestingLab/.

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