The Exam Program offered by Access and Equity Services (AES) is located at the Williams Building (WILL) on Cumberland Avenue. In addition to housing our exam spaces, WILL has a quiet, dedicated study space for AES students outside Room 344. This space includes several tables and chairs, networked computers, a printer, vending machines, and limited kitchen supplies (microwaves, a kettle, and a sink).

If you are coming over from the main campus, Google Maps estimates walking time at 10-20 minutes, depending on the building you are coming from, e.g.:

• 11 minutes from the PAC or Place Riel
• 13 minutes from Health Sciences or Physics
• 17 minutes from Engineering or Edwards
• 19 minutes from Education

Of course, Google Maps assumes moderate mobility and average walking speed. Not everyone can walk over from campus or will be on campus prior to arriving at WILL.

If you need to park near WILL, there are several options available. We also encourage students to use transit where possible, since all students are issued a transit pass.

*Unfortunately, to ensure academic integrity, students writing exams with AES cannot use their phones to top up parking via PayByPhone while their exams are in progress. Please consider your arrival options with this in mind.

Accessible Parking

There is one accessible parking stall at the southeast corner of WILL, near the accessible building entrance.

Use of this stall requires a valid USask accessible parking permit and permission from Parking Services.

• If you’ve been approved by Parking Services to use this stall, please contact that office to coordinate parking times for each of your exams, as needed.

Pay Lot Behind WILL

The pay lot directly behind WILL has a 4-hour time limit, enforced by USask Parking Services from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday.

Payment may be made via the PayByPhone app or the stand-alone machines, which accept coins and debit/credit cards.

Cost varies, as follows (there is no daily maximum exit cost):

• $3/hour → M-F,  7:30am to 6:00pm
• $1.50/hour → M-F, 6:00pm to 10:00pm 
• $1.50/hour → Saturday, 7:30am to 10:00pm

• All surfaces are paved
• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 1 minute to an entrance with stairs or 2 minutes to the accessible entrance

Small Pay Lots Near WILL

There are two small pay lots near WILL. They both have the same rules regarding usage and cost, detailed below. A description of their locations follows separately.

COST/ENFORCEMENT DETAILS

Each of the small pay lots near WILL has a 4-hour time limit, enforced by USask Parking Services from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Payment may be made via the PayByPhone app or the stand-alone machines, which accept coins and debit/credit cards.

Cost varies, as follows (there is no daily maximum exit cost):

• $3/hour → M-F,  7:30am to 6:00pm
• $1.50/hour → M-F, 6:00pm to 10:00pm 
• No charge on Saturdays

LOCATION DETAILS

Street Parking by Aspen Hall and Spruce Hall

• Searchable on Google Maps as “Aspen Hall” and “Spruce Hall”
• 10 angle-in parking stalls
• Paved stalls and paths to WILL
• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 2-3 minutes

Gravel Parking Lot Next to Pine Hall and Birch Hall

• Searchable on Google Maps as “Birch Hall”
• If you wish to pay by machine, please use the one located at the small lot directly behind WILL
• Getting to WILL requires passage on gravel and paved surfaces
• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 2-3 minutes

Stadium Parkade

Stadium Parkade is one of the best options for students writing exams that are longer than 4 hours, since there is no time limit for parking at the parkade.

Cost varies, as follows:

• $3/hour → M-F,  7:30am to 6:00pm ($15 daily maximum fee)
• $1.50/hour → M-F, 6:00pm to 10:00pm ($6 night maximum fee)
• $1.50/hour → Saturdays ($6 maximum exit fee)

• Getting to WILL requires passage on gravel and paved surfaces
• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 4 minutes

Merlis Belcher Place

Parking at Merlis Belcher Place is one of the best options for students with moderate (or better) mobility who are writing exams that are longer than 4 hours and/or seeking an economical parking alternative.

There is no time limit for parking at Merlis Belcher Place.

Cost without a valid USask parking permit: $2/hour or $6 daily maximum
Cost with a valid USask parking permit: FREE

• NOTE: Free parking is not available when there is a scheduled event with sponsored parking.
• USask Parking Services enforces paid parking from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Getting to WILL requires passage on gavel and paved surfaces
• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL:  10-12 minutes

Parking on Nearby Residential Streets

Please respect posted signage. The residential area immediately adjacent to WILL has posted time limits of either 1 hour or 2 hours. In some cases, the limit is 1 hour on one side of the street and 2 hours directly across the street.

• Parking on city streets is enforced by the City of Saskatoon
• Hours of enforcement: Variable; please check signage near your vehicle
• Cost: Free for posted duration
• Getting  to WILL requires passage on paved surfaces
• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: Dependent on vehicle location

Transit Options

Route 10 stops on Cumberland Avenue, in front of WILL (stops 4192 and 4193)

• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 1 minute

Some routes stop on College Drive, about 2-3 blocks from WILL

• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 5 minutes, depending on stop location

Place Riel Transit Hub

• Estimated time for persons with moderate mobility to reach WILL: 10-12 minutes

If you believe any information is missing or incorrect, please email us at aesexams@usask.ca

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.

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 Accommodation Letters. The system will not allow you to request exam accommodations unless you’ve requested these letters.
  • Remember that your AES advisor needs to approve your letter requests, which can take a few days. Please request your Accommodation letters 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.

• 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) before any non-final
• November 19 for 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) before any non-final
• 2 full weeks (14 days) before 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.

We hope all your upcoming exams go well. If you requested to write at least one of those exams with AES at the Saskatoon campus, please skim through this email and save it for reference.

AES does follow U of S examination policy, which may be viewed here: https://policies.usask.ca/policies/academic-affairs/academic-courses.php#examinations

Determining your exam location

Your on-campus exam locations are always posted in Accommodate. Please check Accommodate about 24 hours before each exam to confirm the location. Navigate to the “Exam Accommodation Request” link in the menu, and from there go to the ”Approved Exam Accommodation Request” section to view your room information.

If your exam is in 24 hours or less, and you do not see a room assigned, please email aesexams@usask.ca immediately.

Finding your exam location 

Please consult the campus map at this link: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/73558aac156f41858fe4f4be232bbe49

We encourage students to either arrive early or scout out exam locations in advance when unsure where to go.

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

Leave all outside materials with your invigilator

AES invigilators are trained to disallow all outside material/items, except for writing instruments and anything your instructor specifically notes on the instructions they send us. Be prepared to stow your phone, bag, jacket, keys, earphones/buds, and any other extraneous materials. Also be prepared to turn out your pockets and headwear, as appropriate.

Food and drinks are allowed but may be inspected.

Photo ID required

U of S policy requires that photo ID be displayed on your desk while you write exams. That policy stipulates that if ID is not available at the time of writing, a form needs to be filled out and the photo ID still needs to be produced to verify the identity of the exam writer. AES is obligated to follow the same policy. We cannot  return a completed exam for marking until suitable ID is produced.

Acceptable ID includes physical U of S student cards and government photo ID; U of S policy does not permit photos of ID.

Please arrive with your device(s) charged

If you are writing an online exam or any exam where your instructor allows the class to access  personal electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones, please ensure your device(s) is fully charged. All AES exam spaces have a limited number of outlets. Charging is possible when necessary but to ensure that everyone has access to the outlets as needed, please come with your device(s) charged.

Scented products and allergies

Please be considerate of the other students and staff sharing your space and do not wear heavily scented personal care products or any perfume/cologne.

If you experience a reaction to any allergen or trigger in your exam space, please alert your invigilator immediately so that we can assist you.

Evening exams  

When a 7:00 pm exam is regularly scheduled to last three hours, we start students at 5:00 pm at AES. If we know in advance that an evening final is NOT three hours long, we will likely reschedule the start time to 6:30 pm.

If you are writing a timed evening exam remotely, please confirm the start time with your instructor. AES is not involved in setting the timers for timed remote exams.

The University’s 30-minute rule  

The U of S exam policy says that:

• No student may enter an exam room more than 30 minutes after an exam has started;

• No student may hand in their exam and leave until at least 30 minutes have passed.

For morning and afternoon exams, this is straightforward. For example, if your exam is scheduled to begin at 9:00:

• You may start up to 9:30. However, if you come after 9:00, no additional time will be added at the end to make up for your late start.

• You may not leave the exam room before 9:30. Please ensure you use the washroom before reporting for your exam.

The University’s 30-minute rule and evening exams 

The University’s 30-minute rule gets complicated with evening exams. If we schedule you to start at 5:00pm, technically, you can still begin the exam at any time up to 7:29pm. But, if you arrive after your scheduled start time, your end time will still remain the same (usually 9:30pm).

The flip side of this rule is that you can’t leave the exam room until 7:31. If you finish before 7:31, you cannot leave the room or access electronic devices until 7:31. If you anticipate a short evening exam, please bring something quiet to do that isn’t an electronic device or email us at aesexams@usask.ca and ask that your start time be adjusted. Our alternate sitting for evening exams is 6:30-9:30.

Don’t want to or can’t write your on-campus exam with AES as scheduled?  

Please cancel your accommodation request in Accommodate if the exam is at least 24 hours away. If time is shorter than 24 hours, email us at aesexams@usask.ca to let us know that you aren’t coming.

Questions?  

Please email us at aesexams@usask.ca

If you require accommodations for any exams in APRIL 2025, please request those now.

11:59pm on March 19 is the deadline to request accommodations for any exams on April 2 or later, including all midterms and finals.

We know this post is long! Please skim through and read the sections that are relevant to you.

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SUBMIT A REQUEST WHENEVER YOU NEED ACCOMMODATIONS, INCLUDING REMOTE EXAMS

Always submit a request for accommodations through the Accommodate system, with only three possible exceptions:

• If the exam is for a lab, contact your lab instructor first. Some lab exams require access to materials, specimens, and/or specialized software and must be written in the lab. Your lab instructor will advise you.
• If the class is not based at the Saskatoon campus, contact the student services staff at the class’ home campus to find out how they want you to submit your requests.
• If your program and/or college has advised you to follow different procedures to access accommodations, follow their instructions, not ours.

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USE ACCOMMODATE TO REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR YOUR EXAMS

• Log into Accommodate by visiting your USask PAWS portal.
• Make sure you’ve requested your Letters to Professors (LTPs). The system will not allow you to request exam accommodations unless you’ve requested your LTPs. Your AES advisor needs to approve your LTP request, which can take a few days. Do not wait until March 19 to request your LTPs.
• If you need help with Accommodate, please view the how-to guide at this URL: https://canvas.usask.ca/enroll/AFB4WF

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PLEASE UNCHECK IRRELEVANT ACCOMMODATIONS

Please take a few seconds to review your listed accommodations and UNCHECK any that you DON’T need. Some examples:

• The accommodations of “text-to-voice software” and “reader” provide the same outcome. Please choose the one accommodation you want to use and uncheck the other one.
• It’s unlikely that a 5-function calculator will be needed for an English exam. Please uncheck it.

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REMOTE vs IN-PERSON ONLINE

Remote exams are those that can be written anywhere.

In-person online exams are written on campus, using your own device.

In-person on paper exams are written on campus, with a paper-based exam.

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

Please find out the format before submitting your request. To set up appropriate accommodations, it’s critical that we know how the exam will be delivered.

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CHANGING EXAM TIMES

• If you have an accommodation such as “morning exams only”, “afternoon exams only”, or “no more than one final exam per 24 hour period”, it’s up to you to negotiate a time change with your instructor(s) before the AES deadlines. AES will not arbitrarily change an exam time without knowing that you have discussed the change with your instructor and that the two of you mutually agreed on the indicated date/time.
• AES only supports date and/or time changes for accommodation-related reasons. We will not support a time/date change for personal reasons such as work or travel obligations.
• If you have a remote or online exam that you need to start early, you must negotiate that time directly with your instructor, since your instructor will adjust your timer. AES is not involved in setting the times/timers for remote or online exams. This is especially critical for timed online evening exams.

LAW STUDENTS: Please contact the  Associate Dean Academic (ADA) and Student Services at the College of Law – instead of your instructor – regarding adjustments to your exam schedule.

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WHAT TO TYPE IN THE NOTEBOX

Your notes help us book you into an appropriate space. If there is anything that might impact where you write the exam, please note that here.

We need to know things like: open-book exams, open-note exams where laptops are allowed, and lab exams where specialized equipment/specimens or software is required.

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EVENING EXAMS

We start most in-person evening exams early (usually 5pm for 3-hour finals) so that all students and staff can leave campus at a reasonable hour.

The table below has the most common scenarios for students with time-and-a-half, but if you are having trouble calculating your start time, please email aesexams@usask.ca for help.

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ACCOMMODATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS

If you need to change an exam date or time for religious reasons, please use the appropriate tab in Accommodate to submit your request.

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CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR EXAM LOCATION?

We try to have all exam locations indicated about a week before the exam date but sometimes we can’t meet that expectation. If your exam is less than 24 hours away and you still don’t see a location indicated, email aesexams@usask.ca to ask. If your exam is more than 24 hours away, please just be patient.

Since remote exams can be written anywhere, we expect that you will not write them at AES. If needed, we can provide advice regarding space for remote exams but we do not have bookable space to share. If you have nowhere to write your remote exam, email aesexams@usask.ca for assistance.

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DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Ask us! It’s easiest (and usually faster too!) to reach us by emailing this address: aesexams@usask.ca

The federal Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, announced on March 3 that the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations have been made and will come into force on May 15, 2025. This is the final step in the Government of Canada’s legislative work to make the Canada Disability Benefit a reality.

More information on the Canada Disability Benefit, including a summary of the regulations, is available at the following links:

• Statement from the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities on the Canada Disability Benefit
• Canada Disability Benefit

• Summary of the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations

Please note that the final Canada Disability Benefit Regulations and the related Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement will be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in the coming weeks. We will inform you once the regulations have been published.

Please also note that the application process for the Canada Disability Benefit is not yet open. The Government will provide details on the application process in the coming months, including when, where, and how to apply.  As announced in Budget 2024, the Government is committed to begin payment of the Canada Disability Benefit in July 2025.