Alternate Exams and Tests
Exam accommodation provides equal opportunity to students with disabilities to write exams. This may include informal class tests or formal examinations such as mid-terms, finals, deferred finals, or supplemental exams. Examination accommodations are based on individual requirements. The following test and examination accommodations and procedures should be discussed with a Disability Advisor or Learning Specialist.
- Alternate Format - students who are blind, have a visual impairment, have a learning disability or a head injury may in certain circumstances require exams in an alternate format, e.g: taped, Braille, e-text, or large print.
- Extended Exam Time - students who qualify based on documentation are provided with extended exam time to complete an exam.
- Proctoring of Exams - exams are invigilated by student assistants. This may include reading, scribing, or providing supervision throughout the exam time for academic integrity.
- Delivery and Safekeeping of Exams - all exams are delivered, and returned following exam protocol.
- Scheduling Alternate Space - exams that are not completed in the class are booked in alternate space on campus and provided with a proctor. Scheduling is done through the Disability Advisor and must be approved by the instructor.
- Accommodation for Placement Tests- accommodations are arranged through the Disability Advisor on the campus where the test will be taking place.
- Use of Calculators, Spell-check, etc - based on the approval of the Learning Specialist and supported by documentation, a student with disability will be allowed to use a calculator or spell-check during an exam.
- Use of Computer-based on the approval of the Learning Specialist, and supported by documentation; the student with the disability will be provided with a computer during an exam.
Exam Accommodation Form
All students requiring exam accommodations are required to advise the Disability Advisor as soon as possible. When approved for exam accommodation, students pick up an Instructor Letter and a Request for Exam Accommodation form from the Disability Advisor at the campus they are attending.
Students are responsible for making copies and delivering a copy of the Instructor Letter to all their course instructors. The exam accommodation form allows the instructor to provide the Disability Advisor with an exam schedule with all exams and quizzes, to ensure appropriate accommodations are arranged for student exams.
While students do not have to disclose their disability to instructors, they are required to inform them of the need for accommodations and give them a copy of the Instructor Letter and exam form.
Student Responsibility for Exam Accommodation
- In order to receive exam accommodations, it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to hand/email or fax the completed exam accommodation form to the Disability Advisor 7 days prior to the exam being written. The form must be complete, with the instructor's signature and exam times.
- A student is not permitted to cancel or re-schedule an exam without permission
- If a student does not show up to an exam, the exam will be returned to the instructor indicating "no show", and it is the responsibility of the student to re-book the exam with instructor approval and provide seven day's notice to the Disability Advisor.
Instructor Responsibilities for Exam Accommodation
- It is the instructor's responsibility to complete and sign the exam form with exam dates and times and return to the student.
- The instructor needs to provide the Disability Advisor with a copy of the exam two days prior to exam, in order to ensure accommodation requirements are met. Exams delivered at the last minute may not be able to be accommodated and may be returned to the instructor for rescheduling.
- It is the responsibility of the instructor to notify the student of any changes to the exam schedule, such as rescheduling or cancelling exams. Note: Services for Students with Disabilities requires 7 days notice for any changes to exams.
Exam Accommodations Requirements
Students with disabilities may need to complete their exams at a different time or location than other students. Proctors are used to supervise all exams that take place outside regular classroom settings to protect the integrity of exam conditions.
Student and Proctor Responsibilities
- Students are required to follow all instructions given by the proctor during the exam.
- If the proctor has reason to believe that there is a concern related to the exam, these concerns will be immediately reported to the Disability Advisor.
- All non-standard exam procedures will be documented in writing by the proctor and immediately reported to the Disability Advisor.
Timelines
- Students and proctors should arrive 10 minutes prior to the scheduled exam start time and be ready to begin the exam at the designated time. Start and stop times will be strictly enforced. The proctor will report any delay in starting or stopping the exam to the Disability Advisor. The instructor will also be notified.
- Students arriving 30 or more minutes late will not be permitted to write the exam. The exam will be returned to the instructor.
- Students are not permitted to leave the room during the first 30 minutes of the exam. If a student leaves the room for any reason during the first 30 minutes, the proctor will record this on the exam and the instructor will be notified.
Discussion (Talking) During Exams
- Students are not permitted to speak to other students in the exam room during an exam, unless it is part of the accommodation.
- During designated break times, it is expected that students writing exams will not speak to other students regarding any aspect of the exam.
Breaks
- For each 1-hour exam period, students are permitted a 5-minute break. Break time is regularly scheduled at the end of each hour, as determined by the proctor. The break is considered to be part of the allotted exam time.
- The proctor is responsible for supervising break time. During breaks, it is expected that students will not discuss with other students any aspect of the exam. The exam will re-commence promptly after the break.
- For exams that are 4+ hours in length, a 30-minute break is permitted. The break is to be scheduled midway through the allotted exam time.
Food & Drinks
- Students may have beverages and snacks in the exam room provided that they are consumed quietly and do not disrupt others. The proctor may request that students wait until the "break" to consume food items.
Jackets, Coats & Bags
- Jackets, coats and bags, along with books and binders are not permitted near students while in the exam room, unless these items are part of the exam accommodation. The proctor will inform students where to place their personal belongings during the designated exam period before the exam commences. Students are required to empty all contents from pockets on all clothing they are wearing during the exam such as jackets, sweaters etc., and leave items on the shelf provided.
Academic Honesty
- The following information is provided to specifically help students understand Kwantlen Polytechnic University position on cheating and plagiarism.
