This page explains what you are entitled to for exams and exam adjustments. The plain text version of the image text is available in alt-text and at the bottom of this page.
Our resources page links to uni guidance on exam arrangements, medical evidence requirements, intermission, and how to contact the Disability Resource Centre or the Student Advice Service! There is also a link to our social media and community Facebook group.
Tl;dr deadline for exam arrangements like extra time is mid-Lent, deadline for adjusted modes of assessment is end of Michaelmas!
Plain text:
- Getting changes to exams & assessment. Cambridge SU Disabled Students’ Campaign: All about Exam Access Arrangements & Adjusted Modes of Assessment
Do you know the difference?
Exam Access Arrangement (EAA)
Deadline mid-Lent (but talk to college now)
– Same exam format as other students but with small changes like 25% extra time, rest breaks, different venue, dictating your exam answers…
– Check with tutorial office or your department what extra time is possible for your length of exam
Adjusted Mode of Assessment (AMA)
Deadline end of Michaelmas term
– Different exam format specifically for you, like coursework, portfolio of essays or multiple, shorter exams…
Key Points:
Discuss summer 2021 exam plans with your college in Michaelmas, as they will need to apply for arrangements soon. If you want to apply for an Adjusted Mode of Assessment, discuss with your tutor ASAP as applications should normally be made by end of term (for 2020 this is 4th December). Disabled Students’ Campaign can put you in contact with other students going through the same things!
Exam Access Arrangements
EAAs can include for example:
– 25% extra time
– Rest breaks
– Being able to type exams that are normally handwritten
– Having someone write as you dictate
– Being able to have food or medication while you sit your exam
– Lots more!
How to get EAAs
You will need to speak to your tutor, or another person in the tutorial office. They might expect you to have a Student Support Document from the Disability Resource Centre, but they don’t need one to apply for EAAs for you, as they can use the medical evidence directly.
Sometimes students will contact a tutor and they won’t reply, or won’t be helpful. Please contact another member of staff in this case, for example a different tutor or the Senior Tutor.
Adjusted Modes of Assessment
AMAs (previously ‘Alternative’ Modes of Assessment) are for when EAAs do not fully mitigate the disadvantage you face in an exam setting.
They can include replacing exams with coursework or a portfolio of essays, breaking exams down into smaller sections, or otherwise changing the assessment so that it’s testing your competence, not your disability!
Making an AMA application
Even though you may have only just found out what format your exams will take, it is important that your application is made by end of Michaelmas (for 2020 that is Dec 4th).
We recommend contacting the Student Advice Service as well as your tutor or senior tutor to help you make the application. This is because it can be complicated and you want the best chance of getting it right first time!
If things go wrong
If for example:
– Your tutor or senior tutor won’t make an application on your behalf
– You don’t have medical evidence of the standard requested
– Your medical evidence is not recent
– The application is delayed for reasons out of your control
It is still possible to make an application! The Advice Service can help with your individual case, including helping you write to the university to inform them of your circumstances, which they regularly take into account.
Finding other students
The Disabled Students’ Campaign is a place for all students, undergrad & postgrad, who have any kind of long-term health condition, including conditions that might allow you exam arrangements.
We’ll never ask why you are part of our community, and information shared within our groups is not visible to students not in the group or to any staff.
Join our Facebook group to find hundreds of other students (consider making an account just for this if you don’t normally use fb!).
Further support
You may feel that there has been an excessive administrative burden on you when applying for adjustments. The Disabled Students’ Campaign is the place to come to speak to other students and find out their experiences.
If you wish to make a complaint, appeal a decision or just want to talk through your options, the Student Advice Service is the place we recommend you go for help with your specific case, e.g. filling out forms.
Plain text, more information and sources available on our website:
https://www.disabled.cusu.cam.ac.uk/getting-exam-arrangements/
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