Exam Time!

Published May 10, 2009 @ 05:58PM PT

I've heard from various university-connected people that it's exam time--either exams just happened or exams are about to happen. This upcoming week I'm thinking about exams too as I write my comprehensive exam proposal which will (hopefully) lead to completion of my masters degree in systems science. Writing my proposal doesn't just mean a statement of intent and topic and materials list however--it also means figuring out how the heck to get an equal shot at doing well on these Very Important Exams given my own particular set of, er, "learning issues" that grossly disadvantage me in an exam setting.

Therefore--this post--for self-advocates, what is it that gets you through academic exams? For teachers, parents, professionals, what tips do you have for self-advocates needing to get through exams? Graduate, undergraduate, high school, any sort of exams at all!

Some Exam Accommodations Dora Has Heard About or Used Herself

Sensory-Related

use a quiet area for exam
use a private exam room

use head phones, ear plugs, white noise generators, or other assistive technology for reducing auditory stimulus

use non-florescent lighting, or other accommodations for reducing visual stimulus

bring food, water, stim toys, or comfort items into the exam

ensure a sensory-friendly exam environment

Timing-and-Placing

add time-and-a-half or double-time to exam duration

take breaks during exams

split a long exam into several shorter exams

take exams online either at school or at home

do in-class exams as take-home exams

substitute additional classwork for exam requirements

Semantics, Pragmatics, and Exam Formats

modify exam instructions, for example specifying answer formats (e.g., answer with one, two, or three sentences)

have an instructor available to answer questions about the exam instructions or format

modify the type of exam questions, for example multiple choice instead of essay or vice-versa

re-take exams or otherwise demonstrate competency if exam instructions were misunderstood

enter exam answers into a computer (good for both fine motor / handwriting issues and for non-linear thinkers)

make sure practice tests are identical in format to actual tests (no surprises!)

For Specific Learning Disabilities and Other Processing-Related-Things

use calculators, spell checkers, screen readers, or other assistive technology to compensate for specific learning disabilities

modify grading criteria around specific learning disabilities, for example don't take points off for spelling errors or hand writing if an individual has a learning disability in that area

put only one question on each page of the exam

don't use bubble-sheets or similar response formats if there are visual processing difficulties

allow scratch paper

Navigation and Consistency

have an assistant help with navigation to testing areas

become familiar with the testing environment prior to the test

use a consistent room for testing for all exams

What else?

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Comments (3)

I think you've covered all the bases there. I don't think chewing gum is allowed in exam settings. So, so glad that I personally don't have to ever endure another exam.
Cheers

Posted by mcewen mcewen on 05/10/2009 @ 06:35PM PT
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I requested that my exams not be printed on yellow paper - it might be more of an issue of the lighting, but the black text seemed to disappear in places, on the bright yellow paper. No idea what happened, but it's something to watch for.

Posted by Coral Bentley on 05/11/2009 @ 04:08PM PT
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I can't read anything written on yellow paper either! In fact, I find yellow extremely painful in general. This is a great addition to the list!

Posted by Dora Raymaker on 05/11/2009 @ 06:53PM PT
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Author

Dora is committed to improving quality of life for individuals on the autistic spectrum--including herself! She is Co-director of the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education and a member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Board of Directors.