Texas Department of Agriculture

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Exam Info and Testing Rules: 

Exam Durations, Question count and Passing Score:

• Structural Exams are 50 questions each  and you will have up to 75 minutes to complete your exam. The average completion time for all exams is approximately half of the allotted time. Therefore, take your time and read each question and each of the possible answers very carefully. Exams are $64.00 per exam. Retakes are $64.00 per exam.
• Agricultural Exams most exam categories are 50 questions each  and you will have one hour to complete your exam.  The General Standards and Private Applicator exams are 100 questions and you will have two hours to complete your exam. The Private Apllicator recertification exam is 125 questions and you will have up to three hours to complte your exam. Therefore, take your time and read each question and each of the possible answers very carefully. Exams are $64.00 per exam. Retakes are $64.00 per exam.
• Weight and Measure Exams are 20 questions each with the exception of Class 7 which is 25 questions. You will have up to one hour to complete your exam. Therefore, take your time and read each question and each of the possible answers very carefully. Exams are $60.00 per exam. Retakes are $60.00 per exam.

All exams require 70% or greater to pass.

Examinee Personal Items
Maintaining exam integrity is one of the primary goals of a proctored exam. One of the ways exam integrity is achieved is by limiting the items allowed in the testing room. The method used to store personal items can vary by testing center. Examples of storage methods are lockers, storage containers, or asking examinees to leave unnecessary items in their vehicle. All testing centers must provide some form of secure storage for car keys and other small items.

Items Not Allowed in Testing Room:

(This list is representative but is not exhaustive. Other items that are deemed to cause distraction to other examinees or put exam security at risk may be prohibited)
• All electronic devices, watches, fitness devices (e.g., Fitbits), cellphone, samrt glasses backpacks, purses, wallets, bags, sunglasses, food or drink, loose change, personal scratch paper, trading aids, pencils, pens, tissues, hats, earmuffs, scarfs, umbrellas, medications (inhalers or diabetic items are exceptions), personal laptops, keys, and work ID badges
• Regarding outerwear, coats and jackets should be stored or hung up outside of the testing room.
Items to be VISUALLY checked before an examinee is seated:
• Glasses - Proctor must visually inspect the glasses of examinee.
• Jewelry - Solid or chunky jewelry must be visually inspected. Items that may cause noise or distraction must be removed.
• Pockets - Pockets of examinees must be emptied with all items placed in a locker or storage area. Examinees must be asked to pat their pockets to show all items have been removed. Some testing centers require that pockets be turned inside out. (Please note: The proctor should never physically touch the examinee to determine that pockets have been emptied. This should be determined by visual inspection only.)

Other Considerations:
 Backpacks - rolling or large bags that do not fit in the storage area should be stored in vehicle. If that is not possible, it is recommended that valuables be removed and secured in the locker or storage area. Backpacks must be placed at a designated location with the understanding that the examinee is liable for any belongings. Examinees’ personal belongings must never be stored in the proctor area.

Guests Accompanying Examinees to the Testing Centers

Only examinees are allowed in the testing center, including the waiting area and testing room. Any guests accompanying the examinees will be required to wait outside the center regardless of age. Minors (anyone under 18) must be accompanied by an adult while they are waiting outside the center. If an examinee has brought a minor with them and has no one to supervise the minor(s), the proctor shall instruct the examinee to reschedule his/her testing appointment.
Exam Aids
• The use of a personal calculator is prohibited, and a simple four function calculator should be provided to the test candidate.
• Scratch paper and a writing instrument will be provided to the examinee and collected by the proctor immediately after the examinee leaves the testing room.
• The examinee’s name and testing ID number will be written or printed on the top of all scratch paper issued to confirm collection.

Monitoring
Proctors will monitor exam examinees at all times during exam delivery. Active monitoring is the process of continually observing examinees as they take their exams. Examinees must be actively monitored at all times. Several methods are used: viewing windows visible by a seated proctor, proctor walk-throughs of the testing room, cameras, and computer software (for certain exams). 

Examinee Disqualifications
All incidents (cheating, distraction, noise, unscheduled breaks etc.) will be reported as defined in processes below. Suspected cheating on exams should be verified by at least two center staff persons whenever possible before action is taken.
• Examinees will be disqualified for cheating.
• Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying questions or answers in any manner, talking with other examinees, referring to any notes while the exam is being administered, or being in possession of any items with documented questions, answers or notes or any other restricted materials.
• When an examinee is disqualified, the exam will be terminated and the examinee will be asked to leave the testing center.
• The proctor will collect and retain any evidence or items relevant to the incident such as notes, study material or devices.

• Any disqualifying incident will immediately be reported to Metro Institute 
• Metro will request a written email incident report to be sent to the designated Metro Institute representative.
• Metro will immediately notify the TDA Compliance Officer for incident review and penalty review and penalty enforcement as described in (relevant statute or rule if available).
• Metro will call TDA initially and follow up with a written incident report and provide the contact information for testing center personnel for questions and evidence collection.

Notice: All exams are closed book except for the Weights and Measures Class exams. Weights and Measures candidates MUST bring a clean and unmarked copy of NIST HB44 to the testing facility. Handbooks that have notes or markings in them will not be allowed in the testing centers. The testing center will NOT have copies available for use on site. You will not be allowed to test without NIST HB44 manual. Failure to bring a clean copy of the maunal may results in the loss of you testing fees and require you to reschedule your appointment.

For any questions or clarifications regardiing the rules for testing  please contact Metro Institute at (877) 533-2900

METRO INSTITUTE 

202 East Earll Drive, Ste 180
Phoenix, AZ  85012,  USA

Phone: (602) 452-2900

Toll Free: (877)-533-2900

Fax: (602) 452-2920

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