Exam Accommodations Frequently Asked Questions
- I am registered with the Disability Service; Will I have access to reasonable accommodations for online and in-person exams?
Yes. If you were approved for reasonable accommodations by the Disability Service for examinations, you will still be entitled to reasonable accommodations. If you have any queries about your examination accommodations, please contact the DS at askds@tcd.ie.
- Do I still get extra time for examinations if I was approved for them previously?
Yes. All students registered with the Disability Service and who have been approved for reasonable accommodation of extra time will be provided with this support for in-person and online timed exams.
- How do I monitor blood sugar level during the annual end of semester exams?
Students in need of monitoring blood sugar levels will be permitted to use their personal mobile phone. The phone must be placed in a sealed transparent envelope for viewing by the invigilator. The envelope will be provided by the Disability Service and all students with this need will be contacted before the exam period to enable them to collect the required envelope from the disAbility hub office. In addition, the invigilator will be notified of this need support need.
- What exam support do I get for in-class Department scheduled exams?
The examination accommodations that were agreed upon by the Disability Service also apply to the in-class timed exams.
- How will my other Reasonable Accommodations be applied in online examinations?
| Reasonable Accommodation | Implementation in Online Examinations |
|---|---|
| Use of a PC | Students should use their own devices. Students who do not have appropriate devices should contact the Disability Service which will liaise with them to identify a suitable solution. |
| Use of a C-Pen Reader | Students should use Read and Write (screen-reading software) on their own computers or use the accessibility features in Office 365. |
| Dictation | Students have access to dictation software on their devices. |
| Enlarged Papers | Students should use magnification features as required. |
| Group, Low distraction, or Individual Venue | For online examinations. This support is not required. |
| Inclusive Marking Guidelines | Students with dyslexia and students who are deaf or have a hearing impairment may opt to disclose their disability on their examination scripts in any of the examination modalities listed above. It is the student’s responsibility to copy the link to the disclosure of disability linked here |
- I have an end-of-semester assessment of over 5 hours, does extra time apply?
No. Extra time does not automatically apply as it is assumed you are not working on the exam all of the time.
- Do exam accommodations apply to Coursework/Continuous Assessment?
Coursework (Continuous assessment) refers to written work such as essays submitted to meet an assignment brief, and other written coursework activities on which students are continuously assessed, for example, blog entries, forums, case studies, presentations, and book reviews. Exam accommodations such as extra time do not usually apply to continuous assessment in Trinity.
Students are advised to access their usual technological aids and to engage in drafting and redrafting strategies for assignments. These technologies include Texthelp Read&Write and Microsoft 365 Editor, which provide students with the facility to hear their essay readings and essay drafts read aloud, highlight spelling and grammar errors, and suggest improved edits. Completion of coursework should be planned well in advance of deadline dates and support and guidance with planning can be accessed through Student Learning Development workshops and resources, and the Disability Service ASKDS Blackboard module and YouTube channel. Where extended time is required for specific assignments, students should discuss this on an individual basis with the lecturer concerned.
- Are flexible assessment deadlines available as a Reasonable Accommodation?
All Schools within the University accept that students may require additional time to complete some aspects of their coursework arising from their disability. The reasons may include a period of illness for someone with a fluctuating medical condition or difficulties completing a high level of reading within a standard timeframe for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. The individual needs of each student are considered alongside specific course requirements, meaning the length of an extension may vary. The flexibility of assessment deadlines is normally granted for a limited duration and/ or for specific circumstances. Repeated or ongoing requests for flexibility shall be reviewed by the relevant Director of Teaching and Learning and will be subject to consideration and approval by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or Dean of Graduate Studies, as appropriate.
- We’re here to help, please contact us!
Students or Staff with other questions can contact the Disability Service for more information, email askds@tcd.ie or book an online appointment through our Drop-in Calendar to discuss your exam questions.
I have a take-home exam up tp 5 hours, do I receive reasonable exam accommodation in this scenario ?
Your academic department school o reasonable for applying the required extra time for a take-home exam
- For Take-home Exams extra time is applied. Departments provide additional time on blackboard after the original submission time.
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- in this example, the user has a 2 hour exam. Approved extra time is 10 mins per hour add 20min= Exam time 2hrs 20 mins
- More information on adding additional time on Blackboard via the website.
- Do I receive exam reasonable accommodations for an offline times exam ?
This exam type is an open-book assessment with a much longer format than a traditional exam. Extra time is not applied as it is assumed you are not working on the assessment all of the time.
- Do I receive extra time for real-time online invigilated exams/ Proctored exams?
Real-Time Online Invigilated Exams refer to timed exams offered remotely for which students may not use any materials.
These exams are conducted through online examinations in Blackboard and they are timed, live sessions.
This exam type will be open for several hours and the recommended duration is like that of the normal exam, with some additional buffer to allow for students to navigate the system.
If a student has been granted extra time for exams on their LENS, their exam must be extended to allow for these exam accommodations. Additional time of 10 (15, 20 or 30) minutes per hour will apply to all timed exams and assessments of different durations. Departments must ensure additional time is added on blackboard. For example, for exams and assessments of different durations, 10 minutes per hour is applied as follows:
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- 2-hour exam. Approved extra time is 10 mins per hour add 20min= Exam time 2hrs 20 mins
- 3-hour exam Approved extra time 10 mins per hour add 30 mins 3 hours and 30