The University announced on March 18 that all T2 final exams will be handled remotely. To view that announcement in full, visit this URL: https://updates.usask.ca/all.php

As a result, AES will not be providing any in-person accommodations on campus. You need to arrange most accommodations on your own. 

Final exams have been changed to:

1. Cancelled all together.
   • If your exam has been cancelled completely, there is nothing you need to do. You do not need to cancel your request with AES. We will not charge the $35 fee for missed exams.
2. Take-home assignments or open-book exams.
   • Extra time accommodations typically do NOT apply to these types of exams. Students are usually given a larger timeframe in which to complete a shorter exam. (e.g., You may be given 24 hours to complete an exam that is designed to take three hours. In which case, you can certainly take extra time if you require.)
   • Reader/scribe accommodations typically do NOT apply to these types of exams either. This is essentially an assignment or paper and should be tackled as such. However, if you feel you do need a reader and/or scribe, email us at aesexams@usask.ca.
   • All other accommodations should be manageable in your own home, such as lighting, access to a sofa, etc.
3. Online exams.
   • If you need extra time for an online exam, you MUST contact your instructor.
     • Your instructor will need to contact their college’s ICT team and ask for the timer to be “broken” on the exam, so that you can get your extra time. This is a simple phone call or email on their part and should not be difficult for them to do.
   • We strongly encourage you to use Read&Write software in place of a human reader and/or scribe. More information about Read&Write is available at this link: https://students.usask.ca/health/aes/assistive-technology.php#ReadWriteSoftware
     • If you strongly feel that you need a live person to work with you, email us at aesexams@usask.ca.
   • All other accommodations should be manageable in your own home, such as lighting, access to a sofa, etc.

For tips on how to create an optimal exam space at home, visit our blog at this URL: https://words.usask.ca/dss/2020/03/16/creating-a-optimal-space-at-home-for-online-exams/

Keep abreast of the latest COVID-19 updates by visiting the University’s dedicated webpage at this URL: https://updates.usask.ca/ as well as the AES Blog at this URL: https://words.usask.ca/dss/

We know that you have a lot of questions about how your exams will be handled in light of the COVID-19 protocols. We have many of the same questions. The situation is changing very rapidly and we are waiting for more information from the University too. We will keep you updated as we learn more. For the time being, these FAQs may answer some of your questions.

Do I need to cancel the exams that I have scheduled with AES on March 16, 17, and 18?

No. Because classes have been suspended for those dates, no exams are being written. We have cancelled all exams scheduled at AES and no fees will be charged for missing exams on these dates.

I have an exam after March 18 but it is now online (or it is now a different type of assessment). I no longer need AES to provide accommodations. Do I need to cancel my request?

No. At this time, we are still awaiting more information from the University but we will handle cancellations internally and no fees will be charged for missed exams.

How will my FINAL exams be handled?

At this time, we don’t know. To be on the safe side, please submit your requests for final exam accommodations, just in case we are to provide any here. If you need accommodations, and if you haven’t already requested them, do so by the deadline: March 19, 2020 at 11:59pm. If you need assistance figuring out how to request accommodations, visit our blog post at: https://words.usask.ca/dss/2020/03/06/request-your-april-2020-exam-accommodations-now/

My instructor let us know that we have an online exam coming up. How will my accommodations be handled?

Many students registered with AES have accommodations that can be adapted very easily to an online setting. It’s important to email your instructor ASAP about the accommodations you need for online exams. Attach a copy of your Letter to Professor to your email and ask to discuss your accommodation needs. In general:

• Extra time: Assuming the exam is timed, the instructor will need to contact ICT to get the timer adjusted for you.
• Quiet Space: You can optimize your space at home to keep it functional and distraction-free. Visit our blog post at this address for tips: https://words.usask.ca/dss/2020/03/16/creating-a-optimal-space-at-home-for-online-exams/
• Reader/Scribe: Read&Write software is an excellent alternative to a real-life person. It is available for free to all U of S students, and can be downloaded to your personal computer. If you don’t already use it, please download Read&Write and give it a trial run BEFORE your first exam date. More information can be found at this link: https://students.usask.ca/health/aes/assistive-technology.php#ReadWriteSoftware
• Other accommodations: Many other accommodations, such as specialized lighting or access to a nearby washroom or to a sofa are also easy to manage at home. If, however, you have an accommodation that you can NOT access at home and that your instructor is NOT able to assist with, please email aesexams@usask.ca ASAP after speaking with your instructor.

My instructor let us know that our exam will be changed to a take-home assignment. How do I get accommodations for that?

In most cases, take home assignments are designed to be completed within a set number of hours (for example, 3-4 hours) but students are given a larger window to complete the exam in (for example, 24 hours). For this reason, the extra time accommodation is not applicable to take-home exams.

You should be able to manage all other accommodations on your own, as per the information under the “online exam” FAQ above.

What will happen with my special deferred final?

If you’ve been approved to write a special deferred final in March 2020, please contact your college about a further deferral. AES will not be able to accommodate deferrals while the COVID-19 protocols are in place.

Can I book an external exam with AES now?

At this time, we don’t know. We will provide updates as more information becomes available to us. However, we urge you to contact the institution that the exam is with, as many are suspending their external exam programs for the duration.

Why haven’t you replied to my email yet?

Either we are having difficulty managing the email load or we waiting for additional information from the University in order to provide an answer. Please be patient. It is extremely rare that an email gets overlooked. We want to get back to you ASAP but we also want to provide relevant and useful information.

I don’t want to get your mass emails anymore.

The only way we can remove you from our mailing list is to archive your record, essentially “unregistering” you from AES. This would mean that you could no longer access your AES PAWS tab or any in-person AES services. If you are sure you want your record archived, shoot us an email at aesexams@usask.ca Otherwise, just delete them. We do try not to spam you, but we are getting a lot of emailed questions and the fastest way to get info out to all of you is via email.

I have a question that you haven’t answered here.

Email us at aesexams@usask.ca

Keep abreast of the latest COVID-19 updates by visiting the University’s dedicated website at this URL: https://updates.usask.ca/ as well as the AES Blog at this URL: https://words.usask.ca/dss/

Stay safe. Wash your hands. Bump elbows. Reach out for help of any kind if you need it, including from us here at AES.

aesexams@usask.ca