Alternative Testing

Alternative Testing Accommodations

The responsibility for communicating the intent to use Alternative Testing arrangements lies with the student.  We would like to encourage faculty to engage interactively with these students.  It is important that you let students know the best means of informing you of their intent to take exams with accommodations, and set clear guidelines as to when you would like them to remind you.  We also feel it is important to discuss specifics, such as:

  • Will the student want accommodations for all exams and quizzes?

  • If not, will the student only want accommodations for midterms and final examinations?

  • If the student has an accommodation that includes the use of specific technology, will the student always use this technology on tests in your class?

When your students take exams in the DREAM offices, please remember that we are now delivering exams back to Faculty Assistants/Department offices between 10:00-11:00am every day.  Faculty members are welcome to arrange to pick up exams from the DREAM offices if this delivery schedule will not work.  If you have questions regarding the return of exams, please call Karen Sandall at 313-4035 / x4035. 

 Due to space limitations, it is important that students schedule with DREAM as early as possible to assure specific exam dates and times.  We appreciate your cooperation and encouragement to get Alternative Testing appointments scheduled by students at least one week before the exam date.  Final exams are scheduled by the Friday of Prep Week.  Students are supposed to schedule exams for the same day/time as you give exams in class.  A student should only be scheduling for alternative exam times in the following situations:

  • The exam is for an evening class and DREAM is not open during evening hours

  • The student’s class schedule does not permit enough time to include his/her extended time

  • The student has multiple extended-time exams and there is not enough room in his/her schedule to take them at the regularly scheduled times

  • DREAM is completely booked during the time the student has requested to take the exam

  • The student is scheduling an exam after the scheduling deadline, and DREAM does not have proctor coverage or space available at the time requested.  We strongly discourage students from scheduling after the deadline, and encourage faculty to do the same

  • The student has expressed permission from faculty to take the exam at an alternative time, and all arrangements have been agreed upon between the faculty member and student

DREAM relies on faculty and students to communicate with one another regarding exam dates and times.  Receipt of e-mail reminders from DREAM should not be a faculty member’s first notification of an alternative exam time.  If students are not talking with you, please ask them to do so.

A student who uses alternative testing accommodations may not need to take the exams in the DREAM office area.  You are welcome and encouraged to proctor your own Alternative Accommodated Tests.  If you choose to proctor these exams, it is important to review the student’s accommodations on his/her Disability Access Compliance letter.  If you need additional information on how to implement a specific accommodation or to be sure that the environmental setting is conducive to providing the accommodations, please call Karen Sandall at 313-4035 / x4035 for assistance.

 When considering areas for testing such as an employee lounge, workroom, or even your office, these spaces may be quiet, but contain a great deal of visual and aural disturbances due to foot traffic, ambient noise from office equipment, or low voices. 

 If you want to proctor an Alternative Exam, and the student uses specific Adaptive Technology that requires a computer, DREAM has a limited number of laptop computers available for exams. We are able to disable the wireless access on these systems for your convenience. We ask for two full business day’s notice if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.  Please be prepared to discuss:

  • Arrangements for getting the laptop to you

  • Figuring out the details for reformatting exams if an Alternative Format is required (i.e. Large Print, Audio Exams)

  • We will need to show you how programs are run on the laptops (or make arrangements to set up the exam prior to the student coming in if possible)

  • We will need to figure out how to get student materials printed and laptops returned to DREAM

There are advantages to proctoring Alternative Exams yourself:

  • You are readily available to the student to answer questions

  • You do not need to send copies of your exams to DREAM, wait for DREAM to return your exams, or notify DREAM of any changes that need to be made to your exam

  • Increased opportunities to build relationships with your students

  • The implementation of the accommodation remains between you and your student, DREAM takes up more of a consultative role

DREAM is here to facilitate the accommodation of Alternative Exams.  Whether exams take place at DREAM or under faculty supervision, the goal for all of us is to ensure that students with accommodations have equal access to examinations.  Faculty and student participation in the interactive process of implementing testing accommodations is vital in achieving this goal.