Exams can test more than a student’s knowledge.
As the senior test administration specialist in the University of Georgia Division of Student Affairs’ accessibility and testing department, Jimmy Lim provides the accommodations students need to complete their exams successfully.
“My favorite part of the job is seeing students grow from being overwhelmed by college — curious but also a little worried — when they start off as freshmen to sophomores who know the ropes,” he said. “That’s what makes the job really special — when you can bridge those gaps for people.”
Lim joined the department as a student himself, working as a student proctor while earning his bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in film studies from UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. A full-time position in the department opened around the time Lim graduated, and he eagerly took the opportunity to continue doing that important work.
One of the things that drew Lim to his role is how often he gets to interact with students and faculty. The Accommodated Testing Office is the highest volume service at Accessibility and Testing, and Lim gets involved from every angle. Not only does he work with students who have documented needs while they take exams, but he also works with faculty to set up the proper accommodations before those exams even begin.
“We work very hard to make it a good experience for students and faculty,” he said. “We’ve built a lot of structure learning from experience to make sure the process is smooth and straightforward. The students, the faculty and our office are the three stakeholders in testing, and we want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
Lim’s office provides a variety of accommodations, but the most widely used are reduced distraction environments and extended or modified time. Faculty members may not be able to provide those accommodations in a traditional classroom setting, and that’s when Lim steps in to help.
“They only have the classroom for a certain amount of time, so that’s what we’re here for. We have the space, the capacity and the staff to facilitate that for them,” he said.
As the number of students at UGA has grown, so has the number of requests for accommodations. And at certain times of the year, that means an all-hands-on-deck approach for Lim and the rest of the department. For example, general chemistry exams now take place in at least four large rooms in Park Hall, outside of Lim’s exam rooms in Clark Howell Hall.
Even the way faculty members give exams has shifted during Lim’s time with Accessibility and Testing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many exams moved to digital platforms, which came with their own set of accessibility challenges. Now with the increased use of AI, many faculty members have moved back to paper exams. But no matter the format, Lim’s office can provide assistance.
“I think it’s really about giving students the equal access they need based on their limitations and the barriers they’ve encountered in their education. When they get equal access, they can succeed on their exams,” he said. “It’s when they get to finals and when they graduate is when I usually hear the ‘Thank you’ and what our work meant to them.”
Alongside proctoring, Lim also schedules accommodated exams, which means finding available seating in a suitable environment, getting the exam from the faculty member and setting up the space with the proper accommodations. He also gives presentations and tables about the services Accessibility and Testing offers and supervises 15 student workers.
For Lim’s team, proctoring can mean being physically in the classroom during an exam, but when they have multiple exams in multiple rooms, they can proctor digitally through cameras and “channel surf” through the rooms. They also respond to incidents including panic attacks and stress-induced seizures.
“I’m not only watching out for things like academic dishonesty or other suspicious behaviors, but I’m also looking out for the student’s health and well-being to make sure they’re okay during their exam,” he said. “In a way, we’re kind of like lifeguards in that regard.”
Lim just earned his master’s degree in human services delivery and administration from the University of North Georgia. With that goal now complete, he enjoys cooking, watching movies, spending time with his cat, Cooper, and exploring new hobbies.
In the end, it comes back to people for Lim.
“We’re here to serve students and meet their accommodated needs. After a vetting process, they’re with me for a reason, and I make sure to keep their well-being and health at the forefront,” he said. “We’re all here with a common mission.”