Alternative testing provides academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities that affect their ability to take exams, tests, or quizzes.

These accommodations can be arranged by faculty, the academic department, or through the DRS Testing Center, which is located in or near the DRS office (other campus locations may be used during peak testing periods). Students may discuss their preferred testing location with their instructors.

Faculty have the final authority to determine whether an exam will be accommodated within the department or at DRS during business hours. If faculty choose to administer accommodated exams themselves, they consult with DRS staff and/or use DRS Proctoring Services.

Common Testing Accommodations

The following are descriptions and examples of common DRS testing accommodations as shared for information with faculty and academic staff in consultation with the DRS Testing Center staff regarding successful facilitation of accommodated exams outside of DRS.

Reduced Distraction Environment

A reduced distraction environment means that the student needs to take the exam in an area that is reasonably quiet with low stimuli, when 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 for students to start and finish their exams with limited interruptions. Tools that may help further reduce distractions for students may include: noise cancelling headsets, ear plugs, study carrels, etc.

Examples:

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

Extra Time on Tests/Quizzes

Students who have the accommodation of extra time on tests/quizzes should receive extra time on any test/quiz intended to be completed in a single session and is graded such as; 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.

  • 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. Instructors/faculty should contact UW IT at: http://itconnect.uw.edu/ 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/faculty should contact the DRS Coordinator to determine if extra time is appropriate for related exams.

Student Responsibilities

  • Activate accommodation by checking the appropriate box in student myDRS profile per the services timeline OR as soon as possible once approved by the DRS Coordinator.
  • Within one week of activating accommodations, meet with course instructors (or TA or staff member who is designated as the accommodations contact) to discuss how accommodations will be implemented, and if exams will be administered with accommodations in the department or in the DRS Testing Center.
  • Become familiar with the Guidelines for Effectively Requesting Accommodation for Alternative Testing:
    • Review DRS Testing Center Rules
    • Schedule any exams, including makeup exams, per services timelines and Testing Center guidelines
    • Modify/cancel exam requests as needed
  • Discuss any concerns regarding this accommodation with assigned DRS Coordinator.

DRS Responsibilities

  • Provide students with their approved testing accommodations when the exam is taken in the DRS Testing Center and consult with Instructional Personnel when implemented in an academic department.
  • Reserve a seat for students who schedule their exams in advance.
  • Keep the seat reserved for the student for 15 minutes after the scheduled start time if the student does not arrive on time; this is totally dependent on availability of space and DRS staff.

Faculty Responsibilities

  • Decide if they would like to provide those accommodations themselves/departmentally or if they would like for the student to test in the DRS Testing Center/rooms.
  • If they would like to utilize the DRS Center, the faculty must complete and submit the Alternative Testing Agreement (Addendum).
  • If using DRS Testing Center must upload exams to secure DRS website at least 24 hours in advance (email reminders will be sent) or deliver a hard copy of the exam to the DRS office at least 24 hours in advance. Delays may impact ability to administer exam within agreement times.
  • Provide students with their approved testing accommodations when the exam is taken with them.