Nonstandard Test Accommodations – CUPA

Cambridge Assessment English is committed to ensuring that every applicant is able to demonstrate his or her language ability under circumstances that are fair and that do not alter the language skills being measured. To this end, Cambridge Assessment English allows exam applicants with disabilities to request special accommodations. Such nonstandard test accommodations aim to minimize the impact of a disability on a student’s test performance, while also ensuring the most accurate assessment of the language skills being tested. With these various accommodations, the exam results reflect the true language proficiency of each candidate. In other words, the goal of Cambridge Assessment English is to evaluate the candidate's ability to use the English language, rather than assessing their ability to use it through their senses, writing, speech, or perception.

Types of Accommodations or Modifications

• Εxtended testing time
• Αdditional rest breaks
• Reader
• Scribe
• Recorder to mark answers
• Headphones
• Alternate test formats, e.g., Braille, enlarged print
• Alternate response formats, e.g., computer for writing section
• Wheelchair access

Documentation

• Documentation must be issued by a licensed or certified professional, qualified to evaluate the examinee's disability.
• Documentation must be original, in Greek or English, or certified copies.
• Documentation in a language other than Greek must be translated into Greek or English by an authorized professional or authority such as a lawyer or the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs Translation Service. Either the original certified translation or a certified copy of the original certified translation can be submitted.

Submission of Requests

• To request nonstandard test accommodations for the exam, candidates must select and complete the corresponding field during their registration in the Orfeas online registration system.
• All materials should be submitted to the Hellenic American Union Center for Examinations and Certifications. Materials concerning administrative modifications (extended time, reader, scribe) should be submitted at least four weeks in advance of the test date. Materials concerning other modifications (Braille, large font), should be submitted at least twelve weeks in advance of the test date.

Denial/modification of Requests

Requests for accommodation may be denied or modified, or test results may be invalidated if:

• The documentation is submitted at the time of the examination or after the examination.
• The documentation is not from a qualified professional.
• The disability is not clearly described and does not clearly define the extent of the disability (“poor eyesight” or “psychological difficulties” is too vague).
• The documentation does not describe the examinee’s current functioning.
• The disability does not affect the examinee’s test performance.
• There is disagreement between the individual requesting accommodation and Cambridge Assessment English regarding the type of accommodation requested (e.g., amount of time by which test can be extended or mode of presentation).

Any decision made by Cambridge Assessment English regarding special accommodations during the exams is based on its intention to ensure the most accurate evaluation of the candidate’s language skills in English.