Stop the clock breaks are generally approved for students who have conditions that may be unpredictable on a day-to-day basis. Students with these conditions may need to take breaks during an exam and when they do the exam clock should be stopped. For example, if the exam is scheduled for an hour and the student takes a 10-minute break, their overall exam time should be 1:10. Importantly, overall time provided should not exceed time and a half (1.5 time) unless specifically noted within the accommodation.
Key Things to Know
- Students and instructors should discuss what is appropriate prior to the exam. This should include a discussion about the breaks and how to ensure academic integrity.
- The total amount of exam time provided should not exceed time and a half (1.5 time) unless specifically noted within the accommodation.
- There are some exam formats where breaks may not be reasonable. SAS can help assist in determining what is reasonable.
- If there are already breaks built into the exam time, students with this accommodation may be eligible for additional breaks.
Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for…
- Meeting all student accommodation responsibilities.
- Before the exam, talking with instructors about how breaks will work during the exam.
- Communicating the need for a break with faculty. Students should not take a break during an exam without notifying faculty in advance.
- Tracking how much time they have been on break and communicating this to the instructor/proctor upon returning.
- Upholding academic integrity during their break.
- If using the Testing Center, following all Testing Center policies and procedures as outlined in the UNH Testing Center Handbook.
This should be determined by the student and the instructor before the exam begins. Some students may need to leave the exam area to assist in condition management, and it is important to have a clear plan for when that is appropriate and what the students are allowed to do when they leave.
Yes. The instructor may limit access to technology on a break during an exam. These limits should be directly related to ensuring exam integrity. Please note, however, that some students may require technology to monitor their condition. If the student requires technology to monitor their condition, then they should be allowed access to their device.