Exam Accommodations

CONTACT, HOURS & APPOINTMENTS

 

Exam accommodations are designed to support equitable access to quizzes, tests, and exams by reducing disability-related barriers in the assessment process. Accommodations are authorized through an individualized, interactive process based on a student's disability-related access needs.

Depending on a student's authorized accommodations, exam accommodations may include adjustments such as extended testing time, a reduced-distraction testing environment, approved breaks, large print materials, reader/scribe support, and other approved testing accommodations.

For online quizzes and exams administered through Canvas or other testing platforms, instructors are responsible for implementing approved testing accommodations, such as extended testing time, after receiving the student's MiraCosta College accommodation form.

When an authorized accommodation requires a proctored environment or can’t be implemented through the course's testing platform, students may utilize SAS proctoring services.

Students interested in this accommodation must be registered with SAS and meet with a SAS counselor during their Welcome Meeting or schedule an appointment with a SAS counselor to discuss the need for this accommodation if it has not been previously authorized.

During this conversation, you and the SAS counselor will discuss how your disability impacts test taking and determine what types of quiz/exam accommodations would be appropriate.

To receive and utilize exam accommodations each semester:

  1. Students should request an accommodation form for each course each semester.
  2. Students should provide their accommodation form(s) to their instructor(s) as early as possible.
  3. Students should review the SAS Exam Policies and Procedures.

Students who need SAS proctoring services should schedule their appointments through ClockWork as early as possible. In general, students are expected to submit proctoring requests at least seven (7) days before a scheduled quiz, test, or exam to allow sufficient time for coordination and processing.

Students can schedule appointments through ClockWork. ClockWork does not allow appointments to be scheduled after the seven-day deadline. Students who miss the deadline should contact SAS at sastesting@miracosta.edu or (760) 795-6658 as soon as possible. While SAS will make every effort to accommodate late requests, proctoring appointments cannot be guaranteed.

Because scheduling procedures and deadlines may vary depending on the type of exam, academic calendar, or testing circumstances, students are strongly encouraged to review theSAS Exam Policies and Procedures page.

The SAS Exam Policies and Procedures page contains important information regarding:

  • Hours of Operation
  • Scheduling deadlines
  • Late requests
  • Rescheduling and cancellations
  • Late arrivals
  • Exam-day expectations
  • Academic integrity and testing procedures
  • Additional proctoring guidelines

Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these policies and procedures to help ensure a smooth testing experience and timely implementation of approved accommodations.

Helpful Resources

On-Campus Courses

Students enrolled in on-campus courses with timed quizzes, tests, or exams who require SAS proctoring should schedule their appointment through ClockWorkat least seven (7) days in advance.

Zoom-Based Courses

Students enrolled in Zoom courses with timed quizzes or exams during class meetings should schedule their proctoring appointment through ClockWorkat least seven (7) days in advance.

Online Courses

Some online courses may require in-person testing. Students should review the class schedule or syllabus for testing requirements and schedule proctoring appointments as early as possible.

For online quizzes and exams administered in Canvas or another testing platform that do not require in-person proctoring, students typically don’t need to schedule an SAS proctoring appointment. In these situations, instructors can apply authorized accommodations directly within the testing platform.

  • Students are expected to arrive to take their proctoring appointment five (5) to ten (10) minutes before the scheduled start time to allow ample time for check-in. All students will need to check in with the SAS proctor and provide a picture I.D. If a student is more than 15 minutes late for an appointment, space may not be available and full exam duration may not be guaranteed.
  • The proctoring environment is actively monitored. Please schedule time to meet with a SAS counselor if you have any questions/concerns. 
  • All personal belongings including books, notes, backpacks, purses, calculators, food/drink (unless approved), smart devices (ex: Apple Watch), etc. will need to be placed in the storage areas. 
  • Cell phones need to be turned off and placed with your belongings in the designated lockers/spaces. 
  • Only instructor-approved items (books, notes, etc.) may be used during a proctoring appointment. If notes are allowed, these will need to be turned in with the quiz/exam. If the student would like to keep a copy of the notes, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor to retrieve them at a later time. Notes and scratch paper will be collected with the quiz/exam and returned to the instructor.
  • SAS will provide scratch paper, and this will be turned in with the exam.
  • Students exhibiting distracting behavior may be asked to meet with a counselor to discuss strategies before their next exam.
  • SAS nor the APC are able to ensure a silent testing environment. The SAS and APC testing office provides new earplugs to use as well as noise cancelling headphones. Students can request them from staff at any time. 
  • Food and drink are not allowed in the testing room, except for water bottles with a closeable lid. Students who require food during the exam are permitted to exit the testing room and consume their food in the lobby of the building. 

Faculty play an important role in the implementation of authorized exam accommodations.

Upon receiving a student's MiraCosta College accommodation form, instructors are responsible for implementing authorized exam accommodations for quizzes, tests, and exams administered through Canvas or other third-party testing platforms. This may include adjusting testing time, due dates, availability windows, or other authorized testing accommodations.

SAS proctoring services are generally used to support testing accommodations in an on-campus setting or through Zoom when appropriate.

When a student submits a proctoring request through ClockWork, instructors will receive emails from SAS regarding the exam and may be asked to:

  • Review and respond to testing requests.
  • Confirm testing dates and times.
  • Provide exams and testing instructions.
  • Identify permitted materials or resources.
  • Clarify any questions regarding exam administration.

Some students may require flexibility in the scheduling of proctored exam appointments due to the impact of their disability, scheduling conflicts with other classes, or the operating hours of SAS or the Academic Proctoring Center (APC). As a result, the start time, end time, or testing date of a proctored exam may need to be adjusted to ensure equitable access. SAS will communicate with faculty when these situations arise and work collaboratively to identify an appropriate solution.

Timely faculty responses to proctoring requests help ensure accommodations can be coordinated and implemented effectively.

Faculty who need assistance implementing testing accommodations in Canvas may refer to the linked Canvas support page for guidance on extending exam time, adjusting due dates, and modifying settings for individual students.

Faculty with questions regarding exam accommodations or proctoring are encouraged to contact the SAS counselor listed at the bottom of the student's accommodation form or contact SAS directly at (760) 795-6658 or sas@miracosta.edu.