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 Accommodation Notification 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 if the exam is on online/D2L.

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. The instructor will need to contact Testing Services to provide dates and times. dates and times.
  • The student should 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 student will properly schedule exam at least 2 business days before scheduled exam. If you miss this deadline, please reach out to Testing Services at (406)994-6984 or testingservices@montana.edu.

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.

Procedures

  1. Meet with DS staff member to review procedures and to set up testing accommodations
  2. An electronic Accommodation Notification listing your accommodations will be emailed to your preferred email address
  3. Meet with your instructor during thier office hours to discuss accommodated exams, coming to an agreement about where the exam will be administered. This could be in the Testing Center, located in room 19 of the Renne Library, or with the instructor if they are able to make arrangements within the department.
  4. If using the Testing Center, students will need to register prior to their first exam. This is done in person at the Testing Center. Students will need to present photo ID and read and sign the Testing Services policies form.
    1. Disability Services will email Testing Services a copy of your Accommodation Notification so they are aware of your approved accommodations.
  5. Please schedule your exams within the first 2 weeks of the semester OR at least 2 business days prior to your first accommodated exam. Schedule your exams onlin e at www.registerblast/montana (students must login with their NetID and Password).
  6. Before each exam, remind your instrcutor 2-3 days before to deliver the exam to the Testing Center if using their facility.

Please Note:

  • Testing accommodations CANNOT be implemented retroactively - you cannot go back and use testing accommodations on an exam that has already been taken.
  • Extended time will not be available for take home or untimed exams.
  • Disability Services Staff members are always available to assist with difficulties in scheduling, but students should always check in with their faculty firts as they can often correct any issues.
  • Students should be scheduled to test at the same time as the rest of the class. Students needing to schedule an alternate time must obtain permission from their instructor who will then notify the Testing Center of the approved alternate time.
  • If a student is late for an exam appointment, that time can be deducted from the total exam time.
  • Students arriving more than 15 minutes late to an exam cannot be guranteed a spot. Rescheduling and/or cancelling appointments in Testing Services is the student's responsibility. Repeated no shows can lead to cancellation of future appointments.
  • Please be aware that you will not be allowed water, food, headphones, cell phones, or any other electronic device unless approved otherwise.

Additional Information

Extended Time on Exams

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.