Exam accommodations for students with disabilities minimize the impact of the disability by affording students an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and ability.
Eligibility for exam accommodations is determined by CAAR staff on the basis of the student's disability documentation. Students requesting exam accommodations through CAAR must comply with Section 504 by providing CAAR with current and appropriate documentation of their disability and recommendations.
Some typical accommodations an alternate format such as an audiotape, large print, or braille version of the exam; a low distraction room; extended time; and use of a computer. Students must meet with a CAAR coordinator to initiate services and attend a CAAR orientation on how to use services.
It is the student's responsibility to inform instructors of their exam accommodation requests. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their exam accommodation requests with faculty at the beginning of each semester.
Have the faculty member complete and sign the Accommodations Letter request, which specifies details regarding the accommodations and administration of the exam, well in advance of each exam. A separate form must be completed for each exam administered by CAAR.
Ask the faculty member to complete the faculty portion of the form. The student must bring the completed form to CAAR a minimum of two working days prior to the exam or four working days prior to an exam beginning or ending after 4:30pm.
As soon as you know your exam date and time, either call or come to CAAR to schedule the date, time, any special equipment, and room arrangement. This can be done even before the Exam Accommodation Form is completed and turned in to the CAAR office. Due to the high volume of exams and limited space in the CAAR area, students are strongly encouraged to schedule as early as possible, ESPECIALLY FOR MIDTERMS AND FINAL EXAMS.
All exams are scheduled AT THE SAME TIME as your regular class is scheduled to take them. Exceptions will be made only with instructor approval and/or when you have back-to-back classes and your extended exam time conflicts with your class schedule. In this case, you should explain the situation to your instructor and schedule your exam accordingly. If you begin an exam before the scheduled class time, you must remain at CAAR for five minutes after the beginning of the regularly scheduled class time, unless the instructor has indicated otherwise.
Normal CAAR office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Daytime tests are scheduled during these hours. When necessary, the CAAR office will proctor evening exams, but exams must be completed (proofed, scribed, etc.) by 9:00 p.m. Requests for exams after 4:30 p.m. must be made at least FOUR working days in advance.
If you have any questions or concerns while at CAAR during an exam, we will make every effort to contact your instructor for clarification. However, since instructors may not always be readily available, you may also want to request that your instructor contact the CAAR office at some time DURING administration of your exam, to see if you have any questions or problems.
When scheduling and/or turning in each exam accommodation form, please make both written and verbal requests for any equipment needs (e.g. tape recorders, computers, CCTVs, VCRs). Students using CAAR equipment (e.g. word processors, Franklin Speller, screen readers, etc.) MUST know how to use the equipment or software BEFORE taking exams. No instructional assistance will be provided during the exam.
Be on time! If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late from the scheduled start time with CAAR, he or she will not be allowed to take the exam with CAAR. If a change in exam arrangements is necessary, notify the CAAR reception desk as soon as possible. If you cancel an exam and/or need to reschedule, the CAAR office MUST have written or verbal approval from the instructor.