Feel more confident on test day. Familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures you can expect at the test center.
Test Center Testing
A note about test security
Test security is very important to ETS. There are policies and procedures that test centers must follow to ensure the test is administered fairly and securely. If you fail to follow the instructions of the test center staff, you won't be permitted to test, and your test fee won't be refunded. Any violation of security procedures during the test or during a break may result in dismissal from the test center and/or cancellation of your test scores. You can review all the security policies and procedures in the Bulletin.
Some test centers are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within a specific time frame before testing for entrance to the test center. Check with your local test center for a complete list of health and safety procedures required for admission to the test center.
Take a closer look at what you can expect on the day of your test.
- Verify your test location in your SLS account.
- Print your admission ticket from your SLS account and bring it with you to the test center. Test center personnel may ask you for it, but you are not required to present it. You will be permitted to test without the admission ticket.
- Assemble your acceptable identification (ID) documents. See the Bulletin for ID requirements.
- Review the list of important items to bring on test day.
The list of things you need to bring to the test center on the day of your SLS test is short:
- acceptable, valid photo ID
- admission ticket
- acceptable face mask or covering1
If you have health-related needs requiring you to bring equipment, beverages or snacks into the testing room or to take extra or extended breaks, you need to request accommodations prior to registering.
Don't bring personal items
Personal items other than ID documents aren't allowed in the testing room or permitted during breaks. For a full list of prohibited items and items that may be inspected, see the Bulletin.
1 Prometric operates some sites at universities that do not require masks to be worn. Test takers are allowed to wear masks according to their comfort level at these sites, but masks are not mandatory.
Arrival time
Arrive at the test center 30 minutes before your appointment time and plan to be there up to an hour longer than the actual test duration (see the Study Companion for your test’s duration).
On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator's or ETS's control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of your test appointment.
Check in procedures
An administrator or supervisor will check you in and assign your seat. During check in, you can expect the staff to conduct routine visual inspections, take your picture and check your ID, among other things. For a full list of the security procedures, review the Bulletin.
Storing personal items
You'll be instructed to store any personal items not permitted in the testing room. You won't have access to them during your test except for food, beverages and medication, which may be accessed during a break. Test center staff controls access to the lockers or storage area to maintain social distancing while you store your belongings. Test centers and ETS assume no responsibility for personal items you choose to bring to the test center.
These rules are in place to protect the security of the testing process. They begin at sign in and end at sign out (including breaks):
- Complete and sign the Confidentiality and Regulations Agreement.
- Sign the test center log before and after the test session and any time you leave or enter the testing room.
- Use the allotted 30 minutes of practice time for the tutorial and other untimed sections prior to the test.
- Use only the scratch paper given to you by the test administrator during the test only (not the practice time prior).
- Raise your hand if you have a problem with your computer or need the administrator's help at any time during the test.
Unscheduled breaks
Most tests don't include a break. However, if you’re taking the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (6990), you can take a short, unscheduled restroom break after the conclusion of one test, but before reviewing the General Directions for the next test. See the Bulletin to learn more about unscheduled breaks.
Canceling your scores
If you feel you didn't perform to your potential, you’ll have the option to cancel your scores at the end of your test. See the Bulletin to learn more about canceling your scores.
After the test
Once the exam is complete, you will:
- return all scratch paper as instructed by test center staff
- retrieve your belongings, following test center staff directions
- sign out (at test centers with log sheets)