Exam Accommodations

Exam Services within SLDS provides a secure, accessible environment where students with approved accommodations can take in-person quizzes, midterms, and finals under conditions that support equal access, such as extended time and distraction-reduced spaces. Exam Services coordinates scheduling and proctoring logistics with students and faculty to ensure accommodations are implemented with integrity and in compliance with SLDS and University policies.

Navigation Links:

• Hours of Operation
• Scheduling Information
• Day of Exam Expectations
• Exam Services Policies & Procedures 
• Finals Week Policies & Procedures
• Online, Take-at-Home Exams
• Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation

Autumn and Spring Semester:  

• Week 1-2: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Starting Week 3: Monday - Thursday, 8:00AM - 8:30PM; Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• MLK Jr. Day (1/19): CLOSED
• Spring Break (3/16-3/18): 9:00AM – 3:00PM
• Spring Break (3/19-3/20): CLOSED. While proctoring will not be available on these dates, Exam Services staff will be available for virtual support.
• Reading Day (4/28): CLOSED 

Autumn and Spring Semester Drop-In Hours:  

• Week 1-2: Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM 

Summer Semester: 

• Monday - Wednesday, Friday: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
• Thursday: CLOSED 

Scheduling Information

If your exams are designed to be administered in-person, you should schedule with SLDS to receive your exam accommodations. If your instructor is willing to proctor the exam with accommodations themselves, that is also an alternative option. As a result of SLDS operational changes, you can schedule exams on the class exam day or up to two business days after, based on the date specified in the Course Instruction Template (CIT). The CIT is a document completed by the instructor, detailing information about the exam schedule and proctoring details for the course.  

Scheduling Deadlines

Remember to schedule your exams early in the semester. Late exam scheduling requests are not guaranteed and must be approved by an Exam Services team member.

• Quizzes/midterms during week 1 or 2: Schedule as soon as possible. 
• Quizzes/midterms/finals NOT during finals week, week 3 or after: Must be scheduled no fewer than 7 days in advance. 
• All requests for finals week SP26: Deadline to be announced.  
  
  

Scheduling Instructions

The following steps may be used to place scheduling requests with SLDS Exam Services when the Course Instruction Template (CIT) has been completed by the instructor. Please note: Students in Moritz College of Law will not follow the steps below. 

1. Login to AIM. Be sure you have already sent your Course Accessibility Letters. 
2. In AIM, select the Alternative Testing link, listed under My Accommodations on the left side of the screen. This will take you to the Alternative Testing Module. 
3. Locate the Schedule an Exam box and select your class from the drop-down menu then click the Schedule an Exam button.  
4. Prior to placing your scheduling request, read the scheduling information listed in the Terms and Conditions box.  
5. Once the Terms and Conditions have been reviewed, address all required fields (as noted by a red asterisk) within the Exam Request box. Be sure to select the appropriate assessment from the Available Dates field. Once all required fields have been addressed, click the Add Exam Request button. A green checkmark will be displayed at the top of the window to confirm your submission. 
6. Once your request has been successfully submitted, it will be sent to SLDS Exam Services for review. You will receive a follow-up email notifying you that either your exam request is approved or that you need to contact our office for troubleshooting.  
    

The following steps may be used to place scheduling requests with SLDS Exam Services when the Course Instruction Template (CIT) has not been completed by the instructor: 

1. Login to AIM. Be sure you have already sent your Course Accessibility Letters. 
2. In AIM, select the Alternative Testing link, listed under My Accommodations on the left side of the screen. This will take you to the Alternative Testing Module. 
3. Locate the Schedule an Exam box and select your class from the drop-down menu then click the Schedule an Exam button.  
4. Prior to placing your scheduling request, read the scheduling information listed in the Terms and Conditions box. Within this section, you must also click the checkbox that you have read and agreed to the following: ‘I am aware that my instructor has not yet filled out the Course Instruction Template and my request cannot be processed until this is completed.” Note: The 3-day scheduling window (exam day +2 business days) is only applicable to quizzes/midterms/and finals not during finals week. It is not applicable to final exams during the university’s finals week.   
5. Once the Terms and Conditions have been reviewed, address all required fields (as noted by a red asterisk) within the Exam Request box. Within this section, you must address the Standard Length of Exam field. This is the amount of time that will be allotted for non-SLDS students. If you have an accommodation for extended time, AIM will update accordingly. Note: The amount of time entered may be overridden if the instructor provides different information upon completion of the Course Instruction Template (CIT). 
6. Once all required fields have been addressed, click the Add Exam Request button. A green checkmark will be displayed at the top of the window to confirm your submission. 
7. At this stage, your request will be in a processing status and cannot be reviewed until your instructor completes the CIT. Once the CIT has been completed, SLDS Exam Services Staff will process your request. You will receive a follow-up email notifying you that either your exam request is approved or that you need to contact our office for troubleshooting. 

Note: It is the instructor's responsibility to complete the CIT. If your instructor has not completed the CIT, you may still submit scheduling requests with SLDS Exam Services; however, a seat will not be reserved, and you will not be able to test with our center until the CIT is completed. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the instructor has completed the CIT. If you are unable to connect with them, contact your Access Specialist for assistance and next steps. 
 

Late Scheduling 

All requests submitted after the deadlines above are considered late and cannot be guaranteed. If your request is late, AIM will prompt you to acknowledge the Late Exam Notice. Be sure to provide a reason for the late request and select that you have read and understand the late exam request policy. Once acknowledged, you may click the Submit Late Exam Request button. A green checkmark will be displayed at the top of the window to confirm your submission. SLDS Exam Services will review your late request and a determination will be sent to you via your Buckeyemail account. Note: Late request determinations cannot be overridden by faculty permission.

Modifying/Cancelling an Existing Request 

1. Login to AIM. Be sure you have already sent your Course Accessibility Letters. 
2. In AIM, select the Alternative Testing link, listed under My Accommodations on the left side of the screen. This will take you to the Alternative Testing Module. 
3. Scroll to the Upcoming Exams section, located about halfway down the page. All existing requests will display. Select the blue View hyperlink next to the request you would like to modify or cancel. 
4. If rescheduling, update the Date, Time, and/or Services Requested fields as desired and click the Update Exam Request button. Your requested changes will be reviewed by SLDS Exam Services staff and a determination will be sent to you via your Buckeyemail account.   
5. If cancelling, navigate to the Cancel Exam Request box and select the Cancel Exam Request button. AIM will prompt you to confirm your selections prior to submission. 

Note: While our preference is that rescheduling requests be submitted through AIM, they may also be emailed to our team at slds-exam@osu.edu. Some instructors allow rescheduling without additional permission as long as the exam remains within the 3-day testing window. If permission is required, Exam Services will communicate next steps via email. For same-day rescheduling, please call our office at (614) 292-3307.

Day of Exam Expectations

• Students are encouraged to arrive 5 to 10 minutes prior to their scheduled start time. If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late for a scheduled quiz/midterm/final, the student must either use their remaining time or reschedule the exam. There is no guarantee that the instructor will permit a makeup exam. If a student arrives more than 15 minutes late for an online exam, the same procedure applies. If the student decides to use their remaining time, they will be provided with a post-it note with their end time and must submit their exam by the end time provided by SLDS staff.
• Students must show a valid photo ID to Exam Services staff when checking in to take an exam. BuckIDs and driver’s licenses are acceptable.
• Students should come prepared to take their assessments. The student is responsible for their personal exam materials (e.g. pencil, calculator, laptop, tablet, charger, etc). Though some testing supplies can be provided by SLDS staff, they cannot be guaranteed.
• Unauthorized materials (e.g. notes, book bags, hats, mp3 players, cell phones, etc.) are not permitted in the exam space unless an approved accommodation is in place (e.g. memory aid, continuous glucose monitoring, etc.). Cell phones brought to Exam Services must be silenced or turned off and stored at the front desk or in the student’s backpack. SLDS is not responsible for personal items brought to Exam Services.
• Students must sign an Academic Integrity Agreement prior to every quiz/midterm/final that is taken at Disability Services. Staff monitor all exams via a closed-circuit video monitoring system and/or via an exam proctor. Any suspected academic misconduct that occurs will be reported to the OSU Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) and to the instructor.
• Snacks and drinks are permitted within Exam Services. Full meals are not permitted. 
• Except for a restroom break or disability-related circumstances, students are not permitted to leave the testing area once they have begun the exam. All students should check in with a staff member in the event they need to leave their testing space. Any restroom or drink breaks should be taken prior to check-in with Exam Services staff. Once checked-in, the student’s exam time has begun, and no additional time will be given for restroom/drink breaks. Consideration will be given in extenuating circumstances.
• While SLDS will meet a student’s accommodation requirements, specific testing locations cannot be guaranteed.
• If a student has content-related questions or concerns during their exam, they may request an Exam Services staff member contact their instructor. If the instructor is unavailable, the student may request to include a comment form with the exam. If the student has a question or concern regarding exam procedures, they may speak to an Exam Services staff member.
• If a student feels that their exam accommodations are not being met while taking an exam with SLDS Exam Services, they should bring their concern to the attention of a staff member as soon as possible. They should not wait until the exam has been completed as accommodations cannot be provided retroactively. Students should contact their Access Specialist if exam accommodations need adjusted moving forward.
• If a student feels sick or experiences a disability-related flare during their exam, they should notify an Exam Services staff member immediately to consult an Access Specialist. The student may choose to resume the exam or discuss rescheduling depending on the situation. 
• If a student believes they need more time on their exam than the time allotted, they must inform an Exam Services staff member. An additional time form will be completed and returned to the instructor with the exam. Staff may copy the exam or provide a colored pen to distinguish work completed beyond the allotted time. It is at the instructor's discretion whether or not this portion will be graded. 
• Test assistants are meant to only assist with reading questions and/or writing responses, and not with content-related assistance or clarifications.
• Students utilizing a test assistant should arrive promptly at their scheduled time. A test assistant will be available up to 20 minutes after the exam start time. If a student arrives more than 20 minutes late, their test assist cannot be guaranteed. Consideration will be given in extenuating circumstances.

Exam Services Policies & Procedures

Scheduling Policies

• Quizzes/midterms during Week 1 or 2 of the semester should be scheduled by the student as soon as possible. The scheduling deadline for quizzes/midterms/finals not during finals week taking place after Week 2 is seven (7) calendar days prior to the requested testing date. All requests submitted after Week 2 that are placed less than seven (7) calendar days in advance are considered late and cannot be guaranteed.
• Late requests must be reviewed and require approval from Exam Services staff. Late request determinations will be sent to the student via email and cannot be overridden by faculty permission.
• Any testing request submitted after 12:00PM to test on the following business day, will automatically be denied. This includes requests placed after 12:00PM Friday for testing the following Monday.
• Same-day testing requests will be automatically denied.
• Faculty utilizing SLDS to proctor their accommodated exams are required to be flexible in allowing students to test within a 3-day window (exam day +2 business days). Students are expected to schedule on the class exam date and as close to their class time as possible, but due to the seat cap and scheduling conflicts, this will not always be feasible. SLDS may need students to choose the next closest testing date. Faculty will be required to be flexible in allowing SLDS to approve students to test within this 3-day window. Instructors may choose to create different versions of their exam (of equivalent difficulty).
• For scheduling policies during the university’s finals week, please see the Finals Week Policies & Procedures section.
  
  

Rescheduling Policies

• Due to SLDS spatial limitations, rescheduling is based on availability and cannot be guaranteed. Requests made due to disability-related reasons will take precedence over other scheduling conflicts. 
• Only course instructors can authorize rescheduling of exams. It is the students' responsibility to contact the instructor if rescheduling is needed. Disability Services will only reschedule an exam with instructor authorization, unless otherwise noted in the Course Instruction Template. If a makeup exam is needed for a disability related reason, the student’s Access Specialist may aid in supporting this request.
• Same-day rescheduling requests (updating start time but testing on same day as scheduled) will be considered pending availability and terms of the Course Instruction Template.
• Next day rescheduling requests will not be accepted after 12:00PM.
• For rescheduling policies during the university’s finals week, please see the Finals Week Policies & Procedures section.

Finals Week Policies & Procedures

• Any quizzes/exams requested to occur during the university’s finals week in the fall and spring semesters must be scheduled by the predetermined scheduling deadline (see Scheduling Deadlines above). This date will be provided in the handbook, on the SLDS webpage, and you will receive email notifications of the scheduling deadline via the SLDS newsletter.  
• The 3-day testing window (exam day +2 business days) is not applicable to final exams. These exams should be scheduled on the date(s) provided within the Course Instruction Template (CIT, completed by the instructor) unless permission has been given to test on another date. Written permission from your instructor will be required before SLDS can approve your request for dates not specified within the CIT. 
• During finals week, SLDS Exam Services operates on a block schedule. Exams with a duration of three (3) hours or less are typically scheduled to begin at 8:00AM, 11:00AM, 2:00PM, or 5:00PM. Exams with a duration greater than three (3) hours are typically scheduled at 8:30AM, 12:30PM, or 4:30PM. To coordinate all testing accommodations during Finals Week, Disability Services may need to adjust exam requests to start times outside of those mentioned above.
• Though SLDS will attempt to approve your preferred exam date and time, final exams may need to be moved to ensure compliance with the CIT, ensure exams are scheduled in the appropriate time block, and to ensure all testing accommodations are met. Your test date, time, and location will be determined and finalized no less than two (2) weeks prior to Finals Week. Notification will be sent to you via email. If you do not receive this email, it is your responsibility to contact Exam Services. 
• Additionally, when placing a request to test during finals week, it is your responsibility to ensure it is placed within the terms of the CIT or provide permission to SLDS from your instructor allowing you to test as requested. SLDS will notify students if their request requires additional attention. All requests that do not meet the terms of the CIT and have not obtained permission by the Friday after the scheduling deadline, will be moved to the first available date and time within the terms of the CIT. 
• SLDS may not schedule your final exam on the same date/time that is listed in your syllabus, so you will need to be available all five days of finals week. It may be the case that you are scheduled to take an exam on the last day of finals week, so do not make travel arrangements until after the last day.
• Typically, you will receive a confirmation email for each of your final exams two weeks prior to the beginning of finals week. There may be exceptions to this, and SLDS Exam Services may send you more than one email confirmation for a single exam. Be sure to view the most recent email confirmation sent to you or check the Alternative Testing portal in AIM for the most up-to-date information regarding the date, time, and/or location of your exam.
• Unless approved by an Access Specialist, the makeup day for missed final exams will be the business day after the last day of the university’s finals week. Permission to reschedule must also be obtained from your instructor.

Online, Take-at-Home Exams

If your exam is designed to be taken at home in a non-proctored environment, you will NOT schedule these exams at SLDS. Instead, you should contact your instructor to adjust the time allotted, availability window, and/or due dates according to your accommodations. If you have concerns with take-at-home exams, please contact your Access Specialist.  

• After sending your Course Accessibility Letters, confirm with your instructor your need for extended time. Instructors are responsible for setting up extended time in Carmen by adjusting the time limit, availability windows and/or due dates. 
• We strongly recommend that you confirm that your time allotted, availability window, and due date are correct before starting a Carmen quiz.  
• If the quiz settings are incorrect, please reach out to your instructor. If you are having difficulty contacting your instructor, please contact SLDS.  
  
  

To Verify Carmen Quiz Information 

1. In Carmen’s Course Navigation, click the “Quizzes” link. 
2. Click the quiz title to open the quiz. 
3. Double check that your extended time has been applied to the "Time Limit". 
4. Double check that the availability window and due date allow for enough time with your accommodations.  

For screenshots and more information, visit the CarmenCanvas help article “How do I view Quizzes as a student?”.

Frequently Asked Questions