Alternative Testing

The purpose of Alternative Testing Accommodations is to provide an equal testing opportunity based on the disability-related functional limitations of the student. "Exam," as used in this context, refers to quizzes and examinations taken in conjunction with an academic class.

Alternative Testing Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with an Accessibility Advisor and may include:

• Extended time to complete exams and quizzes.
• A distraction reduced environment, separate from the class.
• Specialized equipment such as a word processor or CCTV.
• Readers or scribes.
• Accessible software (Kurzweil or JAWS).

Please note: This accommodation must be approved by the student’s Accessibility Advisor and will depend on the symptoms and severity of the student's disability.

Exams and quizzes are proctored Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other times may be arranged individually by contacting the Testing Coordinator. All final exams are proctored.

Exams are scheduled and proctored in Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), SSC 170, unless otherwise indicated. During high volume times, such as midterms and finals, exams may be administered in other locations. Students will be notified when there are exam location changes.

Request Process

1. Students must submit a new request for each exam using ARC Go!
2. Exam requests must be submitted at least three business days prior to the exam. Midterm and final exams must be submitted at least one week prior to the exam.
3. Rescheduled exams require instructor permission or verification.

Guidelines

• Exams begin at the time originally scheduled by the instructor. If a student arrives 20 minutes late or more, they will not be allowed to begin the exam without instructor approval and may need to reschedule the exam.
• Same Day Cancellations: Students should call ARC as soon as possible if they are unable to make an exam due to an illness, emergency, or if taking the exam in class.
• Timely Cancellations: Other cancellations should be made using ARC Go!
• Breaks are not permitted after an exam begins unless a student has an approved "break" accommodation. It is advisable to use the restroom in advance of the start of an exam. Unscheduled breaks are reported to instructors.
• All students are expected to follow appropriate University Codes of Conduct during an exam.
• Use of any unauthorized materials during an exam will lead to the immediate end of the exam, a report to the instructor via email, and a report generated to Student Conduct, Rights, and Responsibilities.
• Cell phones and all smart devices must remain outside the testing room, turned off, and placed in student’s backpack.
• Extended time (only) on web-based exams must be requested via ARC Go! to document the student’s request for their accommodation.

Standardized Tests

Tests administered by an institution other than California State University:

The SAT, GRE, ACT, and other tests used as part of the University's entrance requirement or for assessing professional competency are administered by private testing companies. Each testing company has its own procedure for arranging accommodated testing. Typically, instructions for requesting accommodations are listed on the test company's website under "arrangements for alternative test administration."

When registering for the test and requesting accommodations, testing companies often require a copy of a person's original, current documentation or a letter on letterhead from a person (such as a psychiatrist, medical doctor, Marriage and Family Therapist, etc.) who is qualified to confirm that the individual has a documented disability and has been receiving accommodations. The registration form and request for accommodation with the appropriate documentation are then mailed to the testing company weeks or months before the test registration deadline. The testing company will notify students if they are approved for accommodated testing. The campus Test Office where students will test is also notified and may contact the student about arrangements.

CSU Placement Tests

Tests administered by California State University for placement purposes:

The EPT and ELM are placement tests in English and math that are required of most incoming freshmen and some transfer students. Students may take these tests at a CSU campus close to home. Students should request accommodations from the CSU campus where the exam will be taken rather than the campus where the student intends to enroll. Most branches of the CSU have a procedure like Chico State for requesting accommodations on the ELM and EPT. Students should call ARC or the Testing Office at the CSU nearest them to determine what their specific procedures are for procuring ELM/EPT accommodations.

Request Process at Chico State

1. If a student wants to take the EPT or ELM at CSU, Chico with accommodations, contact ARC on Chico's campus well in advance of the testregistration deadline, letting ARC staff know of the intention to take the exam at Chico State.
2. ARC will ask the student to provide a copy of their current disability documentation via fax, mail, or by dropping it off in person (when campus is open and during regular office hours). Students will be asked what accommodations they are seeking, and ARC will check that the documentation supports this.
3. ARC will forward a Request for Testing Accommodation form to the Chico State Testing Office listing the appropriate accommodations for the student.
4. Students must also contact the Chico State Testing Office to register for the ELM and EPT before the test deadline. Students should notify the Testing Office that they are requesting accommodations and that ARC has been contacted.