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Accessible Learning

Supervised breaks during exams

Disability-related impacts can fluctuate during a quiz, test or exam. A student may not be able to manage these impacts at their desk and may temporarily require a separate space. To maintain academic integrity, the instructor may require the student to be supervised while away from their desk. For example, a student may use a break to reduce anxiety, recover after an interruption, renew focus, have a snack, take medication or relieve physical discomfort.

Appropriate supervised break spaces should minimize disturbances and distractions for other students. These may include:

  • the empty hallway outside the assessment room
  • a separate classroom or office close by

Inappropriate break spaces cause distractions to other students or do not allow the student to manage their disability-related impacts. These may include:

  • the front, back or side of the assessment room
  • the busy hallway outside the assessment room

The student may or may not leave their desk during an exam, depending on their impacts. However, a space must be available for supervised breaks.

Breaks do not pause writing time. The student manages their breaks within their scheduled exam time.

Student responsibilities

Notify an invigilator when you leave your desk for a break. You may stay seated for your breaks, or move to the designated break space.

Manage your breaks within your scheduled exam time. Your Accessibility Advisor has factored in supervised breaks with the total amount of extended time.

Follow all university exam regulations.

Instructor responsibilities

Provide a designated break space during your exam.

Engage central and departmental supports if you cannot provide an appropriate space for breaks away from the exam environment.

Accommodated assessment supports

The CAL Assessment Program and OREM Accommodated Assessments provide supervised break spaces. Each program operates differently, which is explained on VPAC's accommodated assessments page.

Learning and Teaching Innovation’s is a Zoom invigilation service for online exams.

How to help

Tell students your exam details at the start of term. One option is to include a statement in your syllabus or course outline explaining what supervised break conditions will be and what procedures students should follow when taking a break.