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Exam Adjustment Guide for Online Delivery

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.
  • Educational Adjustments
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Inclusive online environment and adjustments
    • Support services and contacts
    • Exam Adjustment Guide for Online delivery
    • The new management system, Symplicity - Access

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Page last updated: Friday 28 January 2022