To minimize the effect of disability on test and quiz performance, the Office of Disability Services authorizes nonstandard testing conditions for qualified students with disabilities. Individual needs of the student, as supported by disability documentation, will be considered when determining appropriate testing accommodations. The following policies and procedures apply in all instances where nonstandard testing conditions are provided.

A. We encourage students and faculty to discuss accommodations; if extended time is the only approved accommodation faculty may elect to provide the accommodation. The student's responsiblities are as follows:

  • The student must contact the instructor as early as possible to request extended time. The student's ODS Certification Card should be shown when accommodations are requested.  If accommodations cannot be reasonably provided by the instructor, students should visit Testing Services as soon as possible to initiate scheduling. Students with testing accommodations are not required to use Testing Services.
  • The student should remind the instructor again 2-3 days before the exam that extended time will be needed.

B. If the student has the accommodation to use assistive devices (e.g., screen reading software), Testing Services should provide accommodations. The following procedures must be followed by students who wish to take exams in the Testing Center.

  • The student and course instructor will discuss exam times and accommodation needs and fill in exam dates and times.
  • The student must ask the instructor to note special exam conditions (e.g., open book/open notes, use of a calculator, etc.). Such special conditions will not be allowed without approval from the instructor.
  • The instructor will indicate his/her preferred method for exam delivery and return.
  • The student will properly schedule exam at least 2 business days before scheduled exam.

C. Decisions regarding how testing accommodations are administered should be the result of conversations between the student and the instructor about how best to ensure equal access to assessment.

 

IMPORTANT

  • No exam may be taken in the Testing Center unless it has been properly scheduled. To schedule your exams please go to www.registerblast.com/montana (students must login with their NetID and password)
  • To assure availability of space and proper execution of accommodation arrangements, exams should be scheduled as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester. If exam accommodations are not approved until after the beginning of the term, scheduling should be completed within a few days of that approval. Two to three working days before the exam, the student should again contact the Testing Center and the instructor to confirm scheduling and accommodation arrangements.
  • If an exam is canceled or rescheduled or if there is a change in needed testing accommodations, the student must notify the Testing Center of such changes at least two working days prior to the scheduled testing date. A student who fails to give proper notification of such changes will be required to confer with a Testing Center staff member before being permitted to schedule additional accommodated testing.
  • The student must Be ON TIME to take exams. The time allowed to complete an exam will be reduced by the amount of time the student is late. If a student fails to show up for a scheduled exam, the exam will be returned to the instructor, and it will be necessary for the student to reschedule the exam by completing another "Testing Information Form."
  • No unauthorized items (e.g., coats, backpacks, calculators, notes, books, etc.) may be taken into the testing room. Also, a student is not permitted to use his/her own personal computer on exams unless authorized by the instructor to do so. (A computer with Word Perfect software is available in the Testing Center and may be used for exams when appropriate.)
  • A student must remain in the assigned room once testing begins. All Tests must be returned to the front desk after completion. If a student leaves the Testing Center during the exam without permission, all exam materials will be collected immediately and returned to the instructor.

Additional Information

Extended Time Policy

MSU Shall provide extended time on exams to qualified students with disabilities, based upon the individual needs of the student. Extended time will be granted in a manner that does not discriminate against the student on the basis of disability.

When extended time is warranted, the minimum and most common extension granted at MSU is time-and-a-half. If a reader or scribe is used, double time is the minimum and most common extension. Decisions concerning the appropriate time extension will be made on a case-by-case basis, keeping in mind such factors as the specific disability involved, other accommodations being provided, the type of test being administered, and the appropriateness of the accommodation to MSU's academic environment. (See King W. and Jarrow J., Testing Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities, pp. 11-12.)

Note: MSU will not extend unlimited time to a student nor will it otherwise modify its examination policies in a manner which fundamentally or substantially lowers the essential academic standards of the institution, its colleges, its departments or any course it offers.