Determining your exam location

You should receive an email about 2-3 days before each exam, with the exam location indicated.

You can also find out the location by logging into Accommodate.

It’s our goal to indicate all exam locations in Accommodate in the week before your exam date. Sometimes, we can’t meet that expectation. And, sometimes, we make mistakes.

If your exam is less than 24 hours away and you still don’t see a location indicated, email aesexams@usask.ca. If your exam is more than 24 hours away, please be patient.

Finding your exam location

Most exams will be written in our new AES Exam Centre in the Williams Building, which is located at 221 Cumberland Avenue.

If you’re unsure of any exam location indicated in Accommodate, please consult the campus map at this link: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/73558aac156f41858fe4f4be232bbe49

Writing remote exams

Since remote exams can be written anywhere, we expect you will not write them at AES. We may be able to provide spaces for remote exams in extenuating circumstances. If you have nowhere else to write your remote exam, email aesexams@usask.ca.

If you need the date or time of your exam changed for accommodation reasons, please initiate a conversation with your instructor well before the AES deadlines.

Some accommodations that may require date and/or time changes include “morning exams only”, “afternoon exams only”, and “no more than one final exam per 24-hour period”.

You should approach that conversation as a negotiation and work towards agreeing on a new date and time that works for both of you.

That conversation can be broached by providing your instructor with a copy of your Letter to Professor (LTP), to remind them that you have a relevant accommodation on file with AES. In addition to providing the LTP, explain why the scheduled date and/or time is problematic for you. Be prepared to provide supporting evidence, such as a list of your other exams/academic obligations. Suggest a new date and/or time of writing, but understand that your instructor may suggest a different date and/or time. The two of you should work together towards a mutual agreement.

*Please note that AES only supports date and/or time changes for accommodation-related reasons as on file with our office.

At AES, we book your exam seat based on the accommodations you need + the format of your exam.

It’s critical that we know the correct format so that we book you into an appropriate spot. Please find out the format before submitting your request.

Remote exams can be written anywhere, using your own device.

On-campus online exams are written on campus using your own device.

Paper exams are written on campus, with a paper-based exam copy.

AES students must write the exam in the same format as the rest of the class.

(Please note: AES computers are provided to students who have “computer” as an accommodation. These computers are configured for word processing. If your exam format is online, you likely need access to the internet; please bring your own device for online exams.)

In most cases, if you need accommodations for an exam that will be written at the Saskatoon campus, please request those accommodations by:

• Logging in to your Accommodate channel in PAWS.
• Making sure that you’ve requested your Letters to Professors (LTPs). The system will not allow you to request exam accommodations unless you’ve requested your LTPs.
  • Remember that your AES advisor needs to approve your LTP requests, which can take a few days. Please request your LTPs early in the term, so that they are approved before you need to make an exam request.
• Following the required steps in the “Exam Accommodation Request” tab
  • Remember that your AES advisor needs to approve your LTP requests, which can take a few days. Please request your LTPs early in the term, so that they are approved before you need to make an exam request.

• If you need help with Accommodate, please view the how-to guide in the Accommodate Resource Library.
• If you have a midterm in a lab, talk to your lab instructor before you submit your request. Lab instructors may provide accommodations directly for midterms.
• If the class is not based at the Saskatoon campus, contact the student services staff at the class’s home campus to confirm the steps needed to get accommodations. Some external campuses/programs use Accommodate too; others use paper request forms.
• If you have a remote exam that can be written anywhere, you should still request accommodations through Accommodate so that your instructor is reminded to adjust the timer for you.

Please always keep AES deadlines in mind:

Fall/Winter Terms

• 2 full weeks (14 days) prior to any non-final
• November 19 any exam written on or after December 3
• March 19 for any exam written on or after April 2

Spring/Summer Terms

• 1 full week (7 days) prior to any non-final
• 2 full weeks (14 days) prior to any final

*Tip! Locate the date of your exam on any calendar. Look straight up by one or two weeks to locate your deadline date.

Fidget/Stress Tools

Beginning Q1 (Spring Term 2025), ANY student is now permitted to bring in a fidget or calming tool such as a stress ball into the exam space.

You are NOT required to provide new documentation for this accommodation.

Please review the guidelines of these items so you are prepared prior to your exam:

1. Limited noise to avoid distracting other students and staff in the same space
2. Must not contain an open seam or zipper
3. Small enough to fit in a hand
4. Limited number of fidgets (invigilator will decide how many are reasonable given the space)
5. May not be battery operated, have technology connectivity, or require charging

These guidelines are subject to change as situations arise that may affect testing integrity. If this occurs, we will update you.

Noise cancelling devices

Students will be permitted to use the following noise reduction devices in an exam: loop style earplugs, foam earplugs, over the ear noise cancelling headphones. These items will not be capable of connectivity or music/media playback. Students will NOT be permitted to use any headphones or earbud devices that connect to Bluetooth or can send/receive media/audio.

*Note that ALL items must be presented to the invigilator prior to the exam start for inspection. Should there be any concerns, an AES staff member will assist.