Distraction Reduced Environment

There are a number of different reasons why students might require a distraction reduced environment. This ranges from the need to minimize noise and movement to the need to have an environment where materials can be read out loud.

Generally, appropriate reduced distraction spaces:

  • Are available for the entire exam time, including any additional time.
  • Have a proctor familiar with the requirements of the specific exam.
  • Are free of distractions (visual, auditory, etc.) to the greatest extent possible.
  • Have a limited number of students testing within the space (exact number depends on the size of the space, but it should be as few students as possible to minimize distractions).
  • Have all appropriate testing materials available to the student.
  • Includes access, physical or digital, to the professor or a TA for clarifying questions or concerns.

Key Things to Know

  • Students are not guaranteed a 100% distraction free environment, but all efforts should be made to ensure there are as few distractions as possible.
  • A distraction reduced environment does not need to be an individual space for testing.
  • A distraction reduced environment is arranged by the course instructor, and when necessary, with the assistance of SAS. SAS assists faculty in their search for spaces by offering the UNH Testing Center as a resource. Students who wish to utilize this space, should discuss this option with their faculty.
  • Instructors are not obligated to provide the same space for each exam, but should notify students of the designated testing space as soon as possible.
  • Any testing space should be appropriate for testing and include all necessary testing materials.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

  • Meeting all student accommodation responsibilities. 
  • Talking with faculty about what type of testing environment works best for them.
  • Sharing their accommodation letter and need for a distraction reduced space with the instructor as soon as possible. It may take time to find a distraction reduced space, so advanced notification is critical.
  • Arriving to the space at the time determined by instructor.
  • Following all exam rules as detailed by the proctor.
  • If using the Testing Center, following all Testing Center policies and procedures as outlined in the UNH Testing Center Handbook.

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Instructors who need assistance finding a space should reach out to their department or college or they can reach out to SAS. SAS can also assist through the UNH Testing Center. The Testing Center has 13 available seats. These spaces were designed to be both accessible and reduced distraction.

As long as it meets the student’s accommodation needs and it is an appropriate space, then an office space or conference room would be acceptable. It is important to ensure that it is appropriate for a testing space. For instance, the phone should be silenced, signage should be placed on the door indicating that testing is occurring, the testing space should be cleared, a proctor is available, and all necessary testing materials are available.

Common areas are generally not appropriate spaces for reduced distraction testing spaces. These spaces tend to be frequently used, and unless the space can be closed and remained closed for the exam period, it would not be an appropriate space.

No. These are different accommodations, and the accommodation will indicate the type of space necessary for the specific student.