Testing accommodations

About Testing Accommodations

Due to the impact of their disabilities, some students will require testing accommodations. Examples of testing accommodations which may be considered reasonable include:

• Extra time to complete exams.
• Taking exams in a separate room.
• Use of a reader.
• Use of a scribe.
• Use of computer.
• Short breaks during the exam.
• Use of alternate formats (tape, Braille, large print, electronic)

Agreements between professors and students as to the manner of exam monitoring, as well as the acceptability of books and other materials in the testing room, need to be made clearly and explicitly before testing occurs. Often, instructors find it helpful to ask students to leave their materials with a secretary or TA if they will be alone in the testing room.

Students are expected to request testing accommodations in a timely fashion, preferably no later than one week prior to the first exam of the term. It is unreasonable for students to request testing accommodations from their professors on the same day an exam is scheduled.

If a student is having difficulties with testing accommodations, they should contact their disability specialist and/or their professor as soon as possible.

Faculty members should consult with the student's disability specialist if they have questions about whether requested testing accommodations would compromise the essential elements of their courses. In addition, professors should contact the disability specialist if they need assistance implementing testing accommodations.