Timed Assessments


Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services facilitates the provision of timed assessment accommodations for students who have a disability related need for accommodations on timed assessments including exams and quizzes as well as pop quizzes.

Student Accessibility facilitates the provision of tests and testing accommodations at the Downtown, Tempe, Polytechnic and West locations. At locations such as Tucson and Lake Havasu the provision of testing accommodations are done through individualized conversations with instructors and staff who work collaboratively to ensure accommodations are provided.

Some of the most common accommodations associated with testing are

An accommodation of a reader is someone to read the questions of the exam out loud to the student in the exact way they are written. This could also be a computer program.

The accommodation of a scribe is someone who writes the students' answers on their exam for them. The proctor will only communicate what has been dictated by the student.

This accommodation can include an exam in Braille, Large Print, or E-text. This accommodation may also be used in conjunction with software such as JAWS, MAGIC, or Kurzweil.

This accommodation can include an exam in Braille, Large Print, or E-text. This accommodation may also be used in conjunction with software such as JAWS, MAGIC, or Kurzweil.

Extended time for exams is the most common testing accommodation and it consists of an amount of time added to the current amount of time allowed for the rest of the class.

Adaptive equipment for exams always depends on the nature of the student's disability and the equipment they utilize in their day to day activities. One example may include the use of a computer or tablet for exams.

This accommodation includes providing students with a space intended to minimize the distractions associated with testing.

Time will be the same as allotted in class.

Exams are converted to Braille and/or tactile format.

Refreshable Braille display connected to the computer.

Closed circuit television that allows the student to adjust size and contrast of print material. If the timed assessment is administered online this accommodation may not be necessary or it may be provided by the student.

Student uses computer for various tasks to access content (Assistive Technology, online exams, essay portions, audio sections, etc.)

A memory aid may be determined to be an appropriate accommodation for a student with a disability that impacts their memory. Some of the specific diagnoses may include but are not limited to: Acquired Brain Injury, Specific Learning Disability, Processing Disorder, Psychiatric diagnosis, or medical conditions. A memory aid is a tool designed to trigger information that a student has studied, it is not a notecard or cheat sheet. This cue sheet will allow a student to demonstrate they know and understand the material by prompting them but not providing the exact answer.

The student is responsible for designing the memory aid and securing approval from the instructor prior to its use. In most cases the student and instructor will determine an appropriate window for approval which allows the instructor to remove content they deem inappropriate but also allows the student to look at instructor edits and potentially submit changes.

Faculty Responsibility

Instructors are always welcome to provide a student with their accommodations directly without utilizing the Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services testing department. In these cases, the instructor should let the Access Consultant and student know they intend to do so. Additionally, if exams are not being administered in the Student Accessibility office, faculty do not need to complete the testing contract.

If students are taking their exams in the Student Accessibility offices, the instructor must complete our online testing agreement. Accurate information on the testing agreement allows:

  • Allows Student Accessibility is facilitating an exam on behalf of a faculty.
  • Ensures exams are administered appropriately.
  • Ensures the student receives their reasonable accommodations.

Errors or lack of information on the testing agreement may:

  • Result in additional arrangements needing to be made to remedy the mistakes.
  • Result in your exam being administered outside of your desired specifications or parameters.

Student Accessibility has made efforts to better support faculty with the number of students in their courses. To do this we have begun using the faculty portal. In the faculty portal, you will find a list of all students who are registered in the course with accommodations and the opportunity to complete the testing agreements for your students.

Accommodations related to testing should be included in all online classes and for any online timed assessments. In the instance of an online timed assessment, the instructor does not have to complete Student Accessibility’s testing contract. The only exception is if you are administering an online exam that must be proctored, we are able to administer those exams and do require a contract.

If there are questions about how the accommodations listed in the faculty notification letter pertain to your online course or you are unsure how to implement the accommodations, please contact us immediately or contact your department's IT to discuss those questions.