USU's New Testing Center Set to Open in October

Utah State University’s new Testing Center in Logan will provide state-of-the-art testing methods for the best on-campus testing environment. The center is located in Merrill-Cazier Library, with a separate, south-facing entrance where students can quickly and easily gain access.

“The new testing center is packed with all of the latest testing technologies,” said Kevin Shanley, USU’s director of E-Learning and System Support. “The center leverages our extensive research to put students in the best possible testing environment. We spent eight months benchmarking other universities and incorporated best practices from the National College Testing Association.”

According to Shanley, USU’s new testing center will be one of the first nationwide to do large scale scheduled course testing. He said a new website centralizes all testing information needed throughout the USU statewide system, and faculty will also be able to choose between paper- or computer-based testing.

Research has shown that listening to music and viewing landscape art reduces stress in testing environments so wireless headphones and digital artwork have been incorporated to induce a calm, stress-free environment.

Scheduling a test at the new center is more streamlined and convenient for the students, faculty and testing center staff.

“The entire process is online and easy to use,” said Chris Dayley, the Testing Center manager. “Instructors fill out the online form, students schedule the time that works best for them and the testing center staff provides the necessary materials to take the exams.”

The new center will support testing for on-campus, broadcast and online courses at the discretion of the instructor. Dayley said it is a great solution for large enrollment classes with 50 or more students who take tests in large lecture halls with cramped seating and time constraints. There is also a room for students who need testing accommodations.

There will be three open houses: