This guide is aimed at supporting academic staff to implement a student’s exam adjustments according to their Equitable Learning Plan (ELP) to suit the online delivery. There may be changes to exam delivery that the following descriptions do not address. Each students’ needs vary according to their personal circumstances and may need to be considered. If clarification is needed, please contact ELS directly so we can assist you in adapting appropriate adjustments: [email protected]
Extensions of time
Please note that reference to home-based exams may not be articulated in a students’ ELP, however, all adjustments for school and central run exams are applicable to the home-based exams in the context of COVID-19 and continued online exam delivery.
| Exam format | Description | ELS Exam Adjustment | Examples of time extension |
|
Timed exam |
Time begins at first login Includes shorter tests and quizzes |
Apply the student's ELP time extension pro-rata as per central and school run exams |
2 hour timed exam 15 mins/hr = 2 hours 30 mins 30 mins/hr = 3 hours
30 min Moodle Quiz 15 mins/hr = 37.5 mins 30 mins/hr = 45 mins |
|
Timed exam within an untimed or generous window within which to start and finish the exam |
Unlimited log in and out times, so student is in control of how long it actually takes |
Apply the student’s ELP time extension pro-rata as per central and school run exams *exceptional cases notwithstanding. *In some special cases, the student’s adjustments will need to be applied to the window not just the length of time of the actual exam. *Students with more than 30 mins/hr time extension adjustments are rare; however, it is recommended that they are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. |
3 hour time exam within a 12-hour window 15 mins/hr = 3 hours 45 mins 30mins/hr = 4 hours 30 mins Student can log in and out as many times as needed 2 hour timed exam within a 3-hour window 15 mins/hr = 2 hours 30 mins* 30 mins/hr = 3 hours* Students can log in and out as many times as needed *In the above example, the student’s adjustments may also have to be applied to the window, not just the length of time of the actual exam, as the window is partly or completely removed due to the student’s time extension. This is determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with ELS. Providing a longer window will give them the same opportunity as their peers to log in and out e.g., to rest, or to have time to scan and upload the exam at the end, without stress. |
|
Take home exam |
Submission is within 24 hours or up to 14 days |
Where 24 hours or more is given for a take home exam, provide the extra time allowance in the student's ELP rounded up to the nearest full day |
24-hour take home exam 25% extra time rounded up the nearest day = 2 days 50% extra time rounded up to the nearest full day = 2 days
72-hour (3 days) take home exam 25% extra time rounded up to the nearest full day = 4 days 50% extra time rounded up to the nearest full day = 5 days |
Helpful resources
See UNSW Teaching resource 'Create and Manage a Quiz in Moodle' for instructions on how to ‘Grant an extension for a quiz’.
Other exam adjustments
In addition, some students may have one or more of the following adjustments that impact a 24-hour exam, a take home exam or other extended time window:
- AM or PM only exam time requirements
- Exam frequency adjustment for “no two exams on the same day”
- Exam frequency adjustment for “no two exams on consecutive days”.
In such cases, the exams team provides ELS recommendation(s) to faculty with specific suggestions to move the exam time or date for these students. The following list of adjustments remain unchanged for online/at-home exam delivery. The exams team will implement these in collaboration with ELS and relevant faculties/schools. Please refer to the student’s ELP for detailed descriptions.
- Exam reader/scribe
- Alternative format
- Assistive technology
- Exam frequency
- Spelling and grammar
- Split exams
- Alternative assessment.