Exam accommodation

Exam accommodations ensure an equitable opportunity for students to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills in a course. If you require accommodations due to accessibility, functional, or cognitive challenges, investigate the accommodation process and eligibility.

Types of exam accommodations

These accommodations must be arranged before requesting your exam:

• location or environment (private room, semi-private room with less distraction, natural lighting)
• ergonomic support (ergonomic chair, footrest, pillow, earplugs).
• health-related support (beverage, snacks, glucometer, medications).
• extended exam writing time.
• alternate format of the exam related to assistive technology use or braille.
• split exam (split the exam in half, written in 2 sittings)
• support services (scribe, personal aid, sign language interpreter).

Accommodations that require Course Coordinator approval

These accommodations require Course Coordinator approval. Additional medical documentation from a medical professional is required to verify student needs. The professional must have a specialty or knowledge of the disability-related need and indicate the accommodations that may assist (view Medical Documentation Requirements).

Exam accommodation roles and responsibilities

AU has a duty to inquire and act responsibly as per the Alberta HRC Duty to Accommodate.

• Some exam accommodations are not possible, given the essential learning outcomes of courses and programs.
• Accessibility Services has a responsibility to participate in the integrity and security of exams while arranging appropriate accommodations for verified student need.

Students are required to:

• participate in the arrangement of accommodations.
• have a working webcam and microphone for virtual/remote invigilation.

Students are never required to disclose their disability to course staff or exam invigilators. In some situations, voluntary disclosure may help facilitate the arrangement of accommodations.

Accessibility Services protects student privacy

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Quiz accommodations

If your course includes quizzes and you require additional time to complete them, you may request the accommodation by logging in to the AU Accommodate platform, which is also available in the MyAU portal under Support Resources.

• Using your AU email address, log into AU Accommodate and submit the Additional Accommodations and Services form under the Accommodation navigation menu item.

If you already have the accommodation for quiz extended time listed on your Confirmation of Accommodation letter, the time will be adjusted automatically by course staff once you are registered in a course.

• Your Confirmation of Accommodation letter can be found in your AU Accommodate portal.

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Accommodation set-up

Upon registering with Accessibility Services, you received a notification to log into AU Accommodate to view and acknowledge your Confirmation of Accommodation letter.

• The approved exam accommodations are listed in this COA letter.

You also received a Registration email that included the Accessibility Services Handbook.

• This handbook outlines various processes, such as how to request an accommodated examination.

Each course has different course outcomes and evaluation methods. Upon enrolling in each course, review your exam accommodations to ensure your individualized needs are addressed.

If you need to adjust your accommodations for a particular disability-related barrier you experience, please submit the Additional Accommodations & Services form found in AU Accommodate. There, you can upload relevant medical documentation to support added accommodations.

You may also discuss accommodation adjustments with your Accessibility Advisor.

Accommodated exams must be requested at least 20 days prior to your desired exam write date.

In short, the review of accommodations considers:

• provided details on previous exam accommodations at AU
• identification of how the accommodations were of assistance to you
• information from medical or assessment documentation

Accessibility Services will work collaboratively to identify reasonable accommodations that support academic standards.

Please ensure your invigilation site can provide your accommodations as provided in your Confirmation of Accommodation letter, before requesting the examination from AU.

Accessibility Services will confirm the approved exam accommodations to you and your invigilator once the exam is processed for writing.

Students are responsible for invigilator fees, exam rescheduling fees, and supplemental fees as outlined in the AU Undergraduate or Graduate Calendars.

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How to write exams

Athabasca University delivers all exams online using virtual invigilation. This approach ensures consistent access for students regardless of location.

Our robust invigilation network offers everyone the option of virtual exam invigilation via ProctorU, as well as the availability of in-person invigilation to write online exams at one of AU’s Canada-wide invigilation network partners.

Find further information about requesting exams and invigilators on the Exam Services Support page.

Option 1: ProctorU

AU has partnered with ProctorU to host online invigilation services. If your exam is available to write online, ProctorU is your first choice. It allows you to write your exam from the comfort of your home and is available 24/7 for learners who meet the technical requirements.

There is a 2-step process for booking your exam with ProctorU. You must book your exam invigilation appointment with ProctorU at least 20 calendar days before you’d like to write your exam, then log in to myAU and request your exam for the same date you’ve booked through your invigilator.

Please note that ProctorU may update its process from time to time, so it is important always to review ProctorU’s exam readiness guide before your exam. Using ProctorU

Option 2: Approved external invigilator.

AU encourages learners to use ProctorU wherever possible, but recognizes you might prefer to have your online exam invigilated in person.

You can have an online exam invigilated by third-party invigilators already approved as part of AU’s Exam Invigilation Network. These invigilators’ services are subject to change, so learners are responsible for confirming an invigilator’s ability to supervise their exam and provide approved accommodations before booking.

The same 2-step process for booking your exams applies. You must first book your exam invigilation appointment with your invigilator of choice at least 20 calendar days before you’d like to write your exam, then log in to myAU and request your exam for the same date you’ve booked through your invigilator.

Learners assume and accept all risks arising from their attendance and participation at a third-party AU-approved invigilation center. Learners who choose to write exams with a third-party AU-approved invigilator or invigilation centre are responsible for ensuring they are comfortable with the COVID-19 precautions at that site and will abide by them. Any specific requirements should be confirmed with the invigilation sites directly.