Dead week is here and the testing centers are preparing for the large influx of students coming to take exams during finals week. For students who may have never been or have only been to a testing center once or twice, they can be a little overwhelming.

Here are some quick tips and things to remember to make visiting the testing centers easy and painless, according to Doug Bull, director of the testing center in Carver.

1. Be aware of the hours of operations and locations of the Testing Centers for Finals week. Visit this link to find that information. https://isutestcenters.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/43000429961-finals-week-hours-and-locations

2. Some instructors will open their exams on the Saturday and/or Sunday prior to the beginning of finals week. During that time there will be three Testing Centers open, Carver 60, 250 and Gilman 2552.

For students who want to get some exams out of the way early this can be very helpful. Keep in mind that not all instructors will open their exams early so make sure to ask them first.

3. During finals week there are two additional exam locations: Heady Hall Room 68 and Gilman Hall Room 2272. According to Bull, both of these locations are underutilized during finals week so students are encouraged to try these locations.

4. Their busiest times are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. They open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and close at 5 p.m. on Friday. Bull suggests that students may be better off taking exams during their “off,” or less busy, hours.

5. Visit the testing center website or the MyState app for more useful information.  http://www.testcenter.iastate.edu/

6. It is required that personal electronic devices, including watches and cell phones, be turned off and stowed in the bag provided. You might want to speed up the check in process by having all of those items out and turned off prior to checking in. Bull suggests that it is still better to leave them at home.

7. Remember, when the doors are locked for the day you will not be allowed in to take an exam, so plan to arrive early enough to complete exams on time.

8. Don’t begin writing on the scratch paper until the proctor has logged you into the exam, the exam does not officially begin until they have done so.

9. For more information try out the new Help Desk with FAQs and Searchable Database.