OGDEN — Don’t plan on using your wristwatch to pace yourself during a test at Weber State University — watches have been banned from testing centers. Electronic/digital wristbands have also been banned, so you won’t be able to monitor your heart rate during a stressful exam.

The new rule was announced on Jan. 12, the first day of spring semester.

“Students will be asked to remove any wristwatches or wristbands when they go into the testing center to take a test,” said John Kowalewski, spokesman for the university.

The change in policy was recommended by a faculty testing advisory committee, Kowalewski said, realizing that there could be issues with smart watches.

“With these new smart watches, it could be the same as bringing a computer into the testing center, and be an unfair resource to an individual attempting to demonstrate his or her knowledge,” he said.

Even watches that aren’t smart will need to be removed.

“The challenge is that the smart watches look very similar to a tradition time piece, so individuals will be asked to place them in a pocket or purse — somewhere out of sight — while they’re taking the test,” said Kowalewski.

The policy change applies to all testing centers on all Weber State University Ogden and Davis campuses, as well as at outlying centers such as the WSU West Center in Roy.