Fall 2023 ARS Information!
Read Now for important information about testing accomodations, access and mobility, ARS office operations, and accommodation notifications.
Important: Send accommodation notifications to your professors through the ARS Hub ASAP.
Virtual ARS Orientations
On Zoom - (Zoom Link) - No RSVP needed. Designed for students who have recently connected with ARS or those who have questions about the ARS Hub and how to implement their accommodations. We'll go over...
Virtual Orientation Dates:
Test Scheduling Events
In person - FPG Student Union Room # 3409 (Map link) - No RSVP needed. Created to help new and returning students plan and schedule their tests for the semester. We'll go over...
Test Scheduling Event Dates:
Testing accommodations may include:
Whenever feasible, we prefer that students take exams/assessments with the rest of the class and the faculty member (or a TA). This allows for students to be more easily assisted by instructors in the event of any questions or issues needing clarification arising from the exam. However, if this is not possible or when ARS assistance is required in meeting the specific accommodation needs of the student, ARS will be able to proctor on behalf of the instructor at the ARS Testing Center.
Students must schedule tests/exams/assessments to be taken at the ARS Testing Center at least 7 days in advance via the ARS Hub.
An exam to be taken on Thursday should be scheduled no later than the previous Thursday, one week/7 calendar days in advance of the test day. Please note that Saturdays and Sundays are treated as Mondays by the system, so if you enter the Hub on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday the first day on which you will be able to schedule an exam will be on the following Monday.
Whenever possible, test start times should be the same as the regular start time when a student is scheduling via the Hub. If there is going to be a problem with completing the exam at this time, please check with your instructor to grant approval for a revised start time/date. When scheduling, you will still need to enter the original testing date/time, but then select a different start time in the section below.
The method to apply accommodaions for an assessment in Canvas depends on the quiz style used - either the classic Quizzes or the newer style called New Quizzes. See a full comparison of Classic Quizzes and New Quizzes.
If you use Quizzes (not New Quizzes), see these instructions for adding extra time for the regular Quizzes-style quiz in Canvas.
If you use New Quizzes, see these instructions for adding accommodations for a 'New Quizzes'-style quiz in Canvas.
Students should request extended time only if their disability causes them to work more slowly than other students. If a student is usually able to complete exams in the allotted time, or if the student’s inability to complete exams is not related to a disability, then extended time should not be requested.
Extended testing time does not entitle a student to extra or extended breaks, or to have listening questions on foreign language assessments repeated. These are separate accommodations which must be reviewed and must be justifiable in receipt of the documentary evidence available.
Remember, as with all accommodations, additional testing time is used as a reasonable accommodation to provide students with a disability equal access to the assessment. The provision of extended testing time does not guarantee a student will be able to complete the test and failure to complete a test cannot be used alone to justify this accommodation. This is because, in classes where tests are timed, non-disabled students may or may not be able to complete the assessment within the time allowed without extended time.
The accommodation of "extended time" applies to all timed tests, exams, quizzes, and pop quizzes. Instructors may find the "extended time" accommodation straightforward for tests and exams, but may be stumped when considering this accommodation with in-class quizzes and pop-quizzes.
Here are some possible options:
Alternatively:
Some students find that the accommodation of a small group setting helps to reduce distractions. ARS can offer such a setting.
There is a wide range of assistive technology resources which can assist with the presentation of exams when a student has difficulty reading a standard paper, including magnification and text to speech software. In addition, there is a wide range of assistive technology resources students can use to support the completion of exam scripts including speech to text, on-screen supportive software, and alternative access devices.
Many multiple-choice tests are completed by students using a Scantron/bubble sheet. Some students have difficulties with such a method and need an alternative. ARS can work with students and instructors to determine an appropriate alternative - the most common is to just circle the answer on the test paper.
Alternative testing format examples include large-print test papers, captioned videos, or orally described artifacts.
Some students may need extra breaks instead of, or in addition to, extended time. A stopped clock provides a student with an opportunity to step away from the test setting to regroup or attend to a disability or medical need, and then to re-engage with the exam with no time penalty. Ordinarily this should be for no more than 10% of the total testing time (original time plus extended time) but some students will have a stopped clock accommodation with a greater allowance specified.