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Exam Accommodation Procedures

Faculty Exam Procedures

Exam Accommodation Form

  1. Once a student has elected to use testing accommodations in the Center for Access-Ability Resources, the student will initiate an Exam Accommodation Form. The student will bring the form to you, for you to complete the instructor portion of.
  2. Note any special instructions (i.e. open book, notes allowed, calculator allowed, etc.) that the CAAR Staff should be aware of or that you have announced to the class. Should nothing be indicated in the special instructions area, the student will not be allowed to use any additional materials, even if you verbally told the class they can.
  3. Return the completed form to student. Make a copy for yourself if you would like one. The student is responsible for returning the completed form to the CAAR a minimum of two working days prior to the exam date. Exams are scheduled in the CAAR upon receipt of the completed form from the student. Do not send the Exam Accommodation form through the NIU campus mail.

Exam Scheduling

  1. When feasible, students are expected to take exams in a time frame that overlaps that of the class. Exceptions will be made with instructor permission and/or when the student’s class schedule does not allow for exam completion with all accommodations.
  2. Exams are scheduled between 8am and 4:30pm (fall and spring) and 8am and 5:30 p.m. (summer). With sufficient notice, exams can be scheduled up until 7:00 p.m. Instructors requiring exams to be completed after 7:00 p.m. or on weekends are encouraged to contact a CAAR Coordinator to identify alternatives for the student, which include but are not limited to: the student taking the exam at a different time or on a different day or the instructor administering the exam with all accommodations.
  3. Due to extended time accommodations, students often begin exams before the regular class time. Students will be allowed to leave the CAAR once the exam is completed unless the CAAR Staff are directed otherwise on the Exam Accommodation Form.

Exam Pick-up or Delivery

Exams that must be adapted in any way are to be provided to the CAAR at least two working days before the exam. Exams received with less than two days may be returned to the instructor for the instructor to administer with all appropriate accommodations or the student will be allowed to reschedule the exam with sufficient time for the exam to be adapted.

Exams that do not need to be adapted are to be provided to the CAAR at least one working day before the exam.

Exams can be faxed to 815-753-9570 or e-mailed to caar@niu.edu. CAAR employees will pick up and deliver exams Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. In-person pick-up must be at least one working day prior to the exam date.

Completed Exam Return

CAAR staff will return completed exams during the next scheduled pick-up/delivery time frame, unless other directions have been provided on the Exam Accommodation Form. Exams are typically delivered to the department office with someone available to sign for the delivery. No exams are delivered by "sliding under a door."