3. Timed Tests

If Pearson Guideline 2 would invalidate a timed activity:

• Allow instructors or administrators to adjust time limits for particular students
• OR Allow students to adjust the time or just complete the activity after the time limit is reached. And, record the time spent with the results.

Rationale

Some students with disabilities need additional time to complete activities. The school’s specialists determine the amount of additional time students should receive on timed activities. This provides just enough additional time to account for performing the mechanics of the activity (e.g. reading, writing, operating a computer) with a disability. So, schools often assign accommodations such as “time and a half” or “double time”.

By following this guideline, we meet the schools’ need for products that allow extended time.

Testing

This covers Pearson Guidelines 2 & 3.

Testing technique	Description
Review	Identify any time limits. If there are time limits, see if there is some way for the user to adjust or extend that time limit to at least 20 times the default. If the user cannot adjust the time limit, see if it is possible for instructors to adjust that time limit individually per student.
Analysis	If a user who requires more time than the rest of the users cannot get additional time, then this is an error.

Related Guidelines

This guideline is specific to educational publishing. It does not have direct equivalents in general accessibility guidelines.