Testing Accommodations

Accommodations for testing situations are the most common accommodations for

students with disabilities in higher education. Testing accommodations allow students to

demonstrate their knowledge and skills without having their disability interfere with the

testing. Testing accommodations ensure that the tests are accessible to students who

have disabilities, thus testing the knowledge and skills of the student rather than testing

the disability. The nature of the disability and how the disability impacts the student’s

ability to complete the exam are considered before making the determination that test

accommodations are necessary. Testing accommodations should not compromise

academic integrity.

Testing accommodations include:

extended testing time,

accommodations related to testing environments (e.g., reduced distraction

environment),

and alternative testing formats.

As with all accommodations, students must provide documentation to the Disability

Services Office that test accommodations are warranted.