Adaptation of exams

Students with disabilities and students with individual needs may apply for individual adaptations of their exams. The adapted exams should compensate for the difficulties that form the basis for the application. 

Disabilities and individual needs may be both physical and psychosocial challenges. They may be temporary, but their impact must be significant. 

All applications are evaluated individually, and there is no full list of possible adaptations. Adaptations of exams are based on the documentation submitted with the application. 
 

Possible adaptations may be: 

• Extended time for exams
• Separate room with fewer students 
• Use of technical aids 
• Writing assistance, sign language interpreter, and other practical help 
• The exam question read out loud during written exams 
• Students who breastfeed may apply for extended time for exams 
• Students for whom Norwegian is not their native language, may apply to use a bilingual dictionary 

Extended time guidelines:

• Written school exam or home exam (2 hours): 15 minutes extended time
• Written school exam or home exam (3-5 hours): 30 minutes extended time
• Written school exam or home exam (6-8 hours): 60 minutes extended time
• Home exam (24 hours): 60 minutes extended time
• Home exam (2 days): 2 hours extended time
• Home exam (3 days): 3 hours extended time
• Home exam (4 days): 4 hours extended time
• Home exam (5 days): 5 hours extended time
• Home exam (6-10 days): 24 hours extended time

Extended time typically does not apply to these types of exams: assignments, portfolios, oral exams, practical exams, and group exams.

All applications are processed individually based on the documentation you provide.

If your need for special accommodations is permanent, you only need to submit one application for permanent accommodation for the entire duration of your study period. However, if your needs change, you must apply again.

You will find the digital application form for accommodations here: Application form for special examination arrangements. You can also contact Student Services for a paper form. The application and related documentation must be submitted by October 1st for the autumn term and February 15th for the spring term. Please note that the application form must be used for both resubmitting documentation and submitting newer documentation. 

The need for adaptation must be documented by for example a doctor’s note or a certificate from another qualified expert, such as a therapist or a clinician. This documentation must be submitted along with your application (or sent later, but within the deadline).

It is crucial that your documentation includes:

• A description of the functional impairment and its consequences for exam performance.
• Whether the condition is permanent or temporary.
• Adaptations that may be relevant to reduce the disadvantage caused by the functional impairment in the exam situation.

Reading and Writing Difficulties

Dyslexia must be documented with a report from an assessment of reading and writing difficulties, not a doctor's note. This documentation must be submitted with your application.

Pollen Allergy

Allergy generally does not provide grounds to claim an unreasonable disadvantage during exams. However, if you experience severe symptoms, extended time may still be granted. In such cases, your documentation must clearly state:

• That you have severe symptoms.
• The type of symptoms you experience.
• The type of pollen you are allergic to.
• How the symptoms affect your exam time.
• The specific weeks/months this applies to.

Migraine

Migraines do not automatically qualify you for special examination arrangements, as the severity and impact vary greatly from person to person.

If you experience migraines occasionally, it is usually more appropriate to submit a doctor's note. Excused abscence will make you eligible for a re-sit exam, allowing you to retake the exam the next term. However, if you suffer from chronic and severe migraines, it may be possible to get exam accommodations. In such cases, your documentation must clearly state:

• That your migraines are chronic and that you experience frequent attacks with significant symptoms.
• How your symptoms, before, during, and after an attack, affect your ability to function in an exam setting.
• What specific accommodations might help reduce the disadvantages your impaired functioning causes during exams.

If a need for adaptations arises after the application deadline has passed, you must submit an emergency application as soon as the need for adaptions occurs. The documentation must clearly show that the need arose after the application deadline. The documentation must be attached to the application.

Application form emergency exam arrangements.

Adaptations can be granted if it is practically possible to implement them. If it is not possible to provide adaptions for the specific exam, you can apply for excused abscence.

When your application has been processed, you will receive a decision letter with information about whether your request for adaptations has been approved or not, and if so, what has been approved. The decision letter often contains important information that you need to know, so you must read it carefully. Please contact us if you have any questions.

See what has been approved for you
You can check Studentweb to see what adaptations have been approved for you. You will see the adaptations under aktive emne and under komande hendingar.

Aktive emne:

Komande hendingar:

What you need to do before the exam?

Well before the exam, you need to become familiar with what adaptations you will have and what these involve. The adaptations may be different for each exam.

If you have been granted extra time, you will see this on the exam in Inspera:

The result of your application is an individual decision and follows the general rules of administrative procedure. This includes the right to appeal the decision. You must appeal within three weeks of receiving the decision, and appeals should be directed to the Division of Student and Academic Affairs at Volda University College. Include what decision you are appealing, what you want changed and the reasons for the appeal.