Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations are modifications to the way students take exams. Examples of testing accommodations include extended time, taking an exam in a room with less distractions, a reader, or the use of a computer. The standards of the test are not lowered, but students are able to better demonstrate their understanding of course material when the challenges of their disabilities are properly managed in an environment more conducive to their needs.

All students interested in exploring accommodations for testing support should first complete the Initial Accommodations Request Form.

Testing Accommodations for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Students Enrolled in a Mendoza Graduate Program

Undergraduate and graduate students and students enrolled in a Mendoza Graduate Program who have been approved for accommodations can either take an exam with their class or at the Sara Bea Testing Center.

Those students who choose to take an exam with their class will have their accommodations provided by the professor. For example, students who receive extended time for an exam would make arrangements with their professor to start the exam earlier or stay later to finish. If another course is being held in the same room, students may sometimes move to a conference room or a professor’s office to finish in their allotted time.

Students who choose to take an exam at the Sara Bea Testing Center come to the Testing Center on the day of the exam instead of going to class. In this instance, Sara Bea staff are responsible for getting a copy of the exam and returning it to the professor.

In both instances, students are responsible for alerting their course instructors to their testing accommodations through AccessND and discussing where they prefer to take the exams.

As a reminder, all students must complete the Semester Request form at the start of each semester to renew accommodations and identify the classes in which they would like to use their accommodations.

If a professor feels that a student’s testing accommodation will significantly alter what the test is designed to evaluate, they must notify Sara Bea Accessibility Program immediately. The respective Dean’s Office will then review the situation to determine if the professor’s concern is valid. It is possible for a request to be denied, but the chance of this happening is very rare as common requests such as extended time or a separate room do not interfere with the testing method.

Testing Accommodations for Law School Students

Students in the Law School who have been approved for accommodations are responsible for contacting Sara Bea Accessibility Services at the start of each semester to request testing accommodations. Students must make a request at least 20 class days prior to the exam.

After speaking with the student, Sara Bea will consult with the Director of Student Services at the Law School about the request and provide the student with a status update within 5 class days of receiving the request.

Students whose requests have been approved must then contact the Director of Student Services at the Law School at least 10 class days prior to an exam to finalize the arrangements for accommodations.

Get more information about the accommodations process of the Notre Dame Law School for students with disabilities requesting reasonable academic accommodations.