About the guideline
The aim of this guideline is to safeguard students' rights in the processing of applications for individual arrangements of examinations for students and external candidates with disabilities and/or special needs.
1. What are individual arrangements
Students with disabilities and students with special needs have the right to suitable individual arrangements of examinations. The arrangement should not lead to a reduction of the academic requirements set for each individual examination. The arrangement should be such that the exam performance can be assessed according to the established academic criteria and ensure that the candidates are tested equally. The arrangement is intended to compensate for the disability and/or the special need the student has in the examination situation.
2. Application deadline
The application deadline for arrangement of examinations is 15th September for exams in the autumn semester and 1st February for exams in the spring semester. For exams that are held before these dates, the application deadline is 1 month before the exam. Applications received after the deadline are processed as far as possible.
For permanent needs, applications are made for the entire course of study. For temporary needs, you can apply for individual exams or semesters. When the university plans on arrangement at the exam, it should clearly state which exams or semesters the decision is related to.
3. Documentation Requirements and Application
Applications for arrangement of exams with documentation are sent through a web form for secure file submission. Documentation from a doctor or expert must describe the need for exam arrangement.
The documentation must show that the student either has a disability or a special need for arrangement in the exam situation and must include the student's name and birth number. The name of the doctor/expert should appear in the documentation, and the documentation must be dated.
The documentation must be of recent date, unless it concerns lasting needs. It must be made clear from the documentation whether it is a permanent or time-limited condition.
The documentation must describe the consequences of the condition for the actual implementation of the exam.
The documentation must be comprehensive enough for the faculty to be able to assess what arrangement might be suitable. If the student knows what will satisfy the need for individual arrangement, the student must provide information about this.
If documentation is insufficient, the faculty must assess whether the case is still adequately informed for processing, or whether additional information must be obtained.
For an application for exam arrangement due to reading and writing difficulties, dyslexia, or dyscalculia, the need must be documented with an assessment report from an expert in the field.
4. Examples of Arrangement
Extended exam time
- Rest time
- Use of aids such as a computer with suitable software, ergonomic equipment
- Adaption of the workplace, such as an adapted table, chair, or other equipment
- Reading of the exam task
- Use of a suitable room during examination with supervision
- Change of exam scheme
The list is not exhaustive.
5. Norms for Extended Time at Examinations
If there is a need for extended time at a supervised examination, up to 25% of the normal examination time can be given, with a maximum of one hour.
Extended time at a supervised examination will normally be
- 15 minutes for exams lasting up to and including 2 hours
- ½ hour for exams lasting from 3 to up and including 4 hours
- 1 hour for exams lasting more than 4 hours
For home exams, a maximum of 48 hours extended time is given. Extended time for home exams will normally be:
- 15 minutes for home exams lasting up to and including 2 hours
- ½ hour for home exams lasting from 3 to up to and including 4 hours
- 1 hour for home exams lasting from 5 to up to and including 8 hours
- 2 hours for home exams lasting from 9 to 24 hours
- 4 hours for home exams lasting from 25 to 48 hours
- 6 hours for home exams lasting from 49 to 120 hours
- Up to 48 hours for home exams with a duration of 6 days or more
Extended time is normally not given for oral exams and exams without a start time, such as bachelor and master's theses, semester assignments, etc.
The determination on extended time normally only applies to the arrangement of individual exams.
Students with a mother tongue other than Norwegian are not given extended time on this basis.
In cases where a special need is documented, extended time can be given beyond the set norms.
6. Framework for Rest Time During Supervised Examinations
Rest time should be used as a break from exam work. The student must leave their seat together with an exam invigilator when taking rest time. The actual time used for rest will be added to the regular exam time.
The framework for rest time during exams will normally be:
- 15 minutes for exams lasting up to and including 2 hours
- ½ hour for exams lasting from 3 to up to and including 4 hours
- 1 hour for exams lasting more than 4 hours
7. Nursing time
Students with children under one year old can be given up to one hour of nursing time at exams upon application. Nursing time is only given at exams lasting up to 12 hours.
8. Change of Examination Format
Changing the examination scheme is considered a comprehensive arrangement.
As a basis for a decision on a changed examination scheme, there must be a statement from the person with course responsibility that the arrangement does not involve a reduction of the academic requirements.
The learning outcome descriptions are the basis for the decision.
In such cases, a conversation with the applicant should always be conducted.
9. Appeal
A written decision with the right to appeal should be made.
There is the right to appeal individual decisions on the arrangement of exams according to the Public Administration Act section 28. The deadline for appeal is three weeks from the point of time the decision has been communicated to the party, cf. Public Administration Act section 29.
Superior documents
- Act relating to universities and university colleges
- Act relating to procedure in cases concerning the public administration
- Act relating to equality and a prohibition against discrimination
- Act on Religious and Life Stance Communities
- Regulations on admission, studies and examinations at University of Inland Norway
Any academic requirements or provisions in the course description or study plan.
Approval of the guideline
This guideline has been approved by Director of Academic Affairs 1st August 2024