Disability Resource Center Student Success Programs

Facilitating Accommodations

As an instructor, you have two options for providing a student’s approved testing accommodations: 1) Arrange testing accommodations in your department or classroom, or 2) Arrange for the exam to be administered through Purdue Testing Services.

Arranging Testing Accommodations in Your Classroom

Please consider this option if:

  • Your class does not meet during Purdue Testing Service’s operating hours.
  • You prefer students with accommodations take the exam at the same time as the rest of the class.
  • You and your student would like to easily communicate questions and clarifications during the exam.

If you have any questions about how to adequately accommodate your students within your department or classroom, PTS is happy to be a resource. Please contact us to set up a consultation.

Instructional staff and departments can use the following information to guide their development of examination environments that fulfill the intended stated accommodation. PTS is always willing to discuss your plans for implementing accommodations in a space you are going to manage.

Disability Accommodations & Final Exam Town Hall

The following is a video recording from a Town Hall event held by the Disability Resource Center on March 21, 2024.

Distraction-Reduced Environment

A distraction-reduced environment means that the student needs to take the exam in an area that is reasonably quiet with low stimuli (no people coming and going, no talking, no phones ringing, no creaking chairs, etc.) compared to the classroom. The environment doesn’t need to be a silent, private setting. The environment can include taking the test with other students, and the room chosen must allow students to start and finish their exams in one location with limited interruptions. Tools that help further reduce distractions for students may include noise-canceling headsets, ear plugs, study carrels and white noise machines.

Examples

  • Reasonable locations may include a reserved conference room, office, classroom or lounge with a door.
  • Unreasonable locations include a hallway or a room that can’t be reserved.
  • Distractions that should be avoided include but are not limited to ringing telephones, conversations, rustling of chairs/papers, coughing, excessive movement, typing, traffic, etc.
Private Room

A private room accommodation means that the student needs to take an exam in a room on their own with low stimuli. An instructor can be in the room to proctor the exam. However, the proctor must be mindful to not create distractions. The room must be an adequate size that provides personal space to the student taking the test so they do not feel as if the in-room proctor is looking over their shoulder. Ask the student about the room set-up and your plans for proctoring prior to starting the exam.

Examples

  • Reasonable locations may include a reserved conference room, office, classroom or lounge with a door.
  • Unreasonable locations include a hallway or a room that can’t be reserved.
  • Distractions that should be avoided include but are not limited to ringing telephones, conversations, rustling of chairs/papers, coughing, excessive movement, typing, traffic, etc.
Extended Time On Tests/Quizzes

Students who have the accommodation of extended time should receive extra time on any test or quiz intended to be completed in a single session and graded. This includes quizzes, pop quizzes, exams, midterms and finals. The additional time is calculated from the total amount of time given to the class to take the test/quiz. PTS will identify the approved amount of extended time necessary for access on the student’s Course Accessibility Letter as a percentage (e.g., 150%, 200%). For example, 150% time for an exam scheduled for the class to take in 60 minutes should result in an accommodated time of 90 minutes.

Extra time for online exams: If an exam is to be completed through an online learning management system, extra time can be added for an individual student. Contact the Innovative Learning team for more information.

Extra time for take-home exams: A take-home exam is an exam to be completed outside of the classroom over a period of multiple days. In these cases, a student may or may not receive extra time depending on the nature and duration of the exam. Instructors should contact PTS to determine if extra time is appropriate for related exams.

Other Accommodations

There are several less common accommodations that may be appropriate for some students. These accommodations are less frequent and may require additional planning or support to implement. Instructors should contact PTS for additional guidance unique to these accommodations. The following list is not exhaustive, but includes some of the less frequent accommodations:

  • Breaks during exams to manage disability symptoms
  • Assistive technology that allows students digital access (e.g., the ability to type or dictate instead of handwriting, software to read exams aloud, etc.)
  • Alternative exam formats (e.g., Braille, digital format, enlarged font, CCTV, etc.)
  • Exam readers or pre-read audio of exams to provide auditory access during the exam
  • No scantron or permission to write directly on exams
  • Alternate exam administration times

Utilizing Purdue Testing Services

Students may take accommodated exams and quizzes through Purdue Testing Services. However, if an exam falls under one of the following categories, instructors will need to consult with PTS ahead of time:

  • Contains audio or video components
  • Contains digital images or interactive presentations
  • Computer-based or online exam
  • Administered on a student’s computer
  • Requires specific software
  • Student requires specific formats to access information (e.g., Braille, digital text, etc.)

When any of the above characteristics apply, instructors are encouraged to inform Purdue Testing Services as early as possible. Without adequate lead time, PTS reserves the right to alter the date the exam is given.

Additionally, there are times when PTS’s space reaches capacity. When that occurs, instructors are responsible for providing the appropriate testing conditions outlined in a student’s CAL.

Visit Purdue Testing Services Website