Adjustments to examination arrangements
As part of its commitment to equality of opportunity, the University believes that assessment methods should, as well as being appropriate to the academic objectives of the course, minimise the impact of a student's disability on performance in assessment. This means that some students may require adjustments to examination arrangements.
The University Guidelines set out the arrangements for organising the effective assessment of students who have a disability or long-term medical condition, including details of the procedure to follow to apply for adjustments to be made. The Overview, Policy and determination of adjustments to examination arrangements can be found in the Quality Manual.
Deadlines apply for arranging an appointment with Student Services for adjustments to exam arrangements:
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Autumn Semester - students to have been assessed by 2nd November 2012
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Spring Semester - students to have been assessed by 15th March 2013
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Resit examinations - students to have been assessed by 28th June 2013
Procedure for students
Students should make an appointment with Academic Support before published deadlines. It will not normally be possible to make adjustments for a forthcoming examination period if this deadline is not met:
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All requests for adjustments to examination arrangements should be supported by current acceptable evidence of a disability or long term medical condition such as written report from a registered medical practitioner, an educational psychologist or a psychiatrist.
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Students whose requests are successful will see information about the arrangements via the 'My Course' section on the Portal approximately 4 weeks after the above deadlines.
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Once adjustments to examination arrangements have been made these will be maintained for you throughout your time at the University. If you move from an undergraduate to postgraduate course, you wil need to contact Academic Support so your arrangements can be transferred to your new course. An appointment at Academic Support is needed even if you have had adjustments to examination arrangements at a previous institution.
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Where a student is dissatisfied with the adjustments to examination arrangements determined for them, they should contact Academic Support.
Types of adjustments to examinations
Time-related changes (click to expand)
Additional time allowances - The extent of additional time allowances will depend on the requirements of the individual student. This typically ranges from 15 to 30 minutes per hour.
Rest breaks - In general 15 minutes per hour may be allowed for rest breaks. These may be taken when required by the student and timed by the invigilator. Time permitted for rest breaks is strictly "pen down" time.
Reading time - In general a single period of 15 minutes is allowed for reading through the paper at the start of the examination. This additional time is also strictly "pen down" time.
Flexible start times - Some students may be permitted to start the examination earlier or later than the scheduled time. In these cases there would be a requirement for students to be supervised before or after the examination for security reasons.
Modification of examination papers (click to expand)
Printed papers - Students may require papers to be printed in braille; on a particular colour paper or differently formatted (eg double line spaced, large print). Students may also require modified answer books.
Audio-tapes - Students may require examination questions to be read on audio-tape.
Examination papers on disk - Students may require examination questions on disk
Personal assistance (click to expand)
Scribe - Students may require a scribe (or "amanuensis"). Where possible the scribe should be known to the student and the student should have been offered the opportunity to practise with the scribe beforehand. Additional time will be required for examinations dictated to a scribe and a separate room will be required for the examinations. In some cases the student will write the script and the scribe will rewrite the script after the exam with the student and an invigilator present for checking.
Reader - Students may require the questions to be read out to them.
Interpreter - Students who use sign language may require an interpreter at the start of an examination if instructions are delivered orally.
Personal Care Attendant - Some students may be accompanied by a personal care attendant. Arrangements should be made for such an attendant to be able to sit in close proximity to the student.
Specialist equipment (click to expand)
Electronic - Specific equipment may need to be available to the student in an examination. Standard computers and printers can be provided by the University. Students should consult Student Services about using their own equipment if other specialist equipment such as voice activated software is required.
Dictionaries - Students may require one or more of the following:
The use of a standard English Dictionary (eg Collins Concise Dictionary ISBN 000470777X)
The use of a non-programmable electronic spellchecker (eg Franklin Word Master)
The use of a thesaurus
Furniture - Students may require ergonomic furniture rather than the standard furniture provided.
Lighting - Students may have particular lighting requirements or may require blinds at the windows.
Filters - Students may require the use of a colour filter.
More information on arrangements appropriate to specific disabilities can be found on the SKILL National Bureau for Students with Disabilities website.