Adaptive Educational Services

Testing Accommodations

There are several reasons why a student might need testing accommodations. Students with mobility impairments, for example, may have trouble writing and need more time on exams. Or, if you have a learning disability in reading, extra time on exams may mean the difference between simply guessing at answers or really understanding what each question is asking.

Document QuickLinks

• Important Information
• How do I arrange testing accommodations (TA)?
• Rules & Policies
• Testing FAQ

Important Information

Please Note: Even if you don’t think you will need assistance during the semester, it's important that you complete the testing accommodations process with our office, soon after the semester begins!

There are several situations in which students may need more time to complete an exam, for example:

• Students who need an assistant to read exam questions because of vision problems, or reading disability.
• Students with mobility impairments may require frequent breaks to avoid pain associated with prolonged sitting.
• Students with an attention disorder can take an occasional moment to "re-focus."

Testing accommodations can also mean variations in how exam answers are recorded, like:

• Having the ability to write answers directly on the test. This can be helpful for students with vision problems, who have trouble with Scantron forms
• Students may require the help of a "scribe." A scribe is an assistant that will record your answers onto the exam or answer sheet.
• Students could use a word processor (Microsoft Word) to record answers to essay questions, rather than write freehand.

How do I arrange testing accommodations (TA)?

If you haven't registered with the Adaptive Educational Services office, do this as soon as possible! If you are a returning student, you do not need to register with our office every semester.

Once registered as a client of AES, you may request testing accommodations by contacting our office at the beginning of each semester.

• Students who request testing accommodations need to provide AES with a current class schedule. Please note: AES will not print class schedules for students. To ensure accuracy, hand-written schedule cannot be accepted.
• Your request for TAs will be approved as soon as possible. Generally speaking, TA forms will be available for pick-up 24 hours after our office receives your schedule and request.
• Return to AES to pick-up TA forms.
• The TA forms will be explained by an AES representative, as well as where you will take your exams.
• Take the forms with you to the first class meeting for the instructor to complete and sign. You should return these forms as soon as possible.
• At least 2 days before an exam, contact our office to schedule your exam. Your exam will be scheduled for the same time and day that your class will take the exam. Exceptions to this must be provided to our office directly from the course instructor prior to scheduling the exam.

Rules & Policies

Scheduling Policies

• We will not schedule an exam with accommodation until TA forms have been signed by the professor and returned to our office.
• AES will not reschedule an exam for you, unless written permission (a letter with signature or email from the instructor) OR in-person permission is given by the course instructor.
• Getting permission from the course instructor to reschedule an exam is the responsiblity of the student. AES cannot obntain permission on behalf of the student.
• If you schedule an exam and fail to appear for your reserved time, AES will not hold the exam, unless requested by the course instructor. AES will return the exam to the instructor according to predetermined arrangements.

Accomodation Policies

• You are responsible for contacting the Adaptive Services office at least 2 days prior to your test to ensure that testing accommodations have been arranged.
• A test will only be rescheduled if your instructor provides our office with approval. The instructor must either call, email, or stop by to provide approval for a rescheduled test.
• The amount of allowable test taking time is is based on the complexity of your documented disability.
• The standard accommodation for extended time is 50% additional time when compared to the time allotted to the class.
• Tests are secure throughout the testing process. Tests are delivered or picked up in sealed envelopes and are not opened until the beginning of the testing time.
• All testing materials, information, and student responses are kept confidential.
• All tests will be promptly returned according to pre-specified instructions, regardless if the student misses the scheduled testing appointment.
• AES will not "hold" an exam unless we receive a prior request by the instructor.
• Proctors are not allowed to assist clients in deriving answers to test questions.
• Tutors are not allowed to proctor tests for any students they tutor.

Testing Rules

• Students are not allowed to bring books, notes, book bags, or other personal items into the testing booths. Students are required to check these items with the AES exam proctor.
• A CD player, tape player, IPod, or other personal electronic devices are not to be used by the student while taking an exam. If a student needs to use such a device while taking an exam, written authorization from the course instructor is required PRIOR to scheduling the exam.
• We longer provide sound dampening quiet booths. We traditionally provided these booths to recreate a reduced-distraction testing environment. Students with documentation specifing the use of a quiet booth/room or on a first come first served basis could utilize a quiet room. However, we longer provide quiet booths for student taking tests through our office. We will make every attempt to provide a quiet distraction-reduced testing environment within our lab facilities.

Testing FAQ

• How do I schedule a test?
• What do I do if I have to postpone my test?
• Where will my test be proctored?

• How do I schedule a test?

  Tests are tentatively scheduled at the beginning of the semester by submitting the class syllabus and related forms.

• What do I do if I have to postpone my test?

  It is your responsibility to contact the instructor and the Adaptive Services office to make arrangements to reschedule a test as soon as the need to reschedule becomes known. If the instructor approves, the test will be rescheduled.

• Where will my test be proctored?

  If the instructor approves, tests will be proctored in the Adaptive Educational Learning Center (University Library rooms 3135 H & N). Otherwise, the test will be proctored in your regular classroom at the scheduled time of the exam.