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Introduction
In the dynamic landscape of delivering online exams, the pursuit of accessibility and inclusivity stands as a cornerstone for creating a fair and equal opportunity for every candidate to showcase their understanding. The key to achieving this lies in embracing accessibility, and ensuring a user-friendly experience that caters to the diverse needs of all participants.
In this blog post, we delve into the essential provisions and accommodations that are key to designing an online assessment environment that not only supports, but champions the varied abilities and circumstances of each test-taker.
1. Granting extra time
Extending time allowances for an exam proves to be a valuable accommodation for candidates who may face challenges in completing their assessments within the standard timeframe.
With an average of 31% of candidates in some exams requiring 25% extra time or more 1, this is often the most commonly requested access arrangement for examinations.
Implementing an exam time extension for eligible candidates ensures that they are granted the additional time necessary to successfully navigate through their exams, promoting a more inclusive testing environment.
2. Screen reader compatibility
To accommodate candidates with visual or auditory impairments, it is crucial for online exams to be seamlessly compatible with screen readers. This ensures that individuals with these access arrangements can effectively engage with exam content, fostering a more inclusive and accessible examination experience.
3. Font size customisation
Empowering candidates to customise font sizes enhances the user-friendliness of the entire exam experience. Whether individuals require larger or smaller font sizes, providing the flexibility to adjust not only the exam content, but also the entire platform, ensures a more accommodating and accessible environment for all participants.
4. Keyboard navigations
Selecting an online assessment platform that empowers candidates to navigate their exam using only a keyboard, ensures accessibility for users who rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse. Ensure that every interactive element, from moving between questions and selecting answers with letter keys, to submitting responses and accessing tools like calculators or notepads, is fully optimised for keyboard use. This design adheres to WCAG accessibility standards, creating a more inclusive and user-friendly experience.
4. Multiple languages
Choosing an exam platform that offers multiple languages empowers candidates to choose their preferred portal language for a more comfortable experience.
Additionally, uploading exams in various languages facilitates a global reach, and catering to the diverse linguistic preferences of users worldwide. This combined approach ensures a more inclusive and accessible examination environment on a global scale.
5. Multilingual user experience
Choosing an online exam platform that offers multiple languages empowers candidates to choose their preferred portal language. This ensures that candidates can navigate the platform and interact with content in a language they understand best.
Offering multilingual support is especially crucial in diverse, global settings, where candidates may come from various linguistic backgrounds. It eliminates language barriers and reduces stress, enabling candidates to focus entirely on their exam performance.
6. Multi-lingual content support
Institutions can cater to a diverse, global audience by uploading exam content in any language, enabling them to deliver assessments tailored to candidates from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This feature encourages inclusivity by removing language barriers, making exams accessible to non-native speakers and international students alike.
7. Resilience in low internet bandwidth
Candidates often encounter challenges such as low internet bandwidth or connectivity issues during online exams, leading to potential disruptions and increased stress in an already demanding examination situation.
Choosing an assessment platform that considers low bandwidth environments becomes crucial in alleviating these concerns. Such platforms seamlessly saves the candidate's progress, eliminating the need for restarting in the event of internet drop-offs.
This resilience ensures that test-takers can continue with their exams unaffected by intermittent connectivity, allowing them to submit their responses once the internet connection is restored. This approach significantly contributes to a more reliable and stress-free examination experience.
8. Proctoring in low bandwidth environments
Traditional proctoring methods often rely on continuous video monitoring, demanding a strong and stable internet connection.
Opting for a proctoring solution designed for low bandwidth environments ensures that monitoring remains effective even in situations with limited connectivity. This strategic choice not only allows for uninterrupted proctoring but also safeguards exam security and integrity.
9. Mobile-friendly exams
Recognising that some candidates may lack access to desktops or laptops, with only 36.1% of households in developing countries having access to a computer at home 2, it becomes essential for exams to be compatible with mobile devices and tablets, to ensure equal usability.
This approach aims to eliminate potential disadvantages, enabling all participants to engage with their exam seamlessly, regardless of the device they use. By offering mobile-friendly options, the examination process becomes more inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of candidates.
10. Modern browsers
Ensuring user convenience during an exam is paramount, and a key aspect of this is compatibility with all modern browsers. This includes popular options such as Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, and others.
By functioning seamlessly across various browsers, the exam platform offers a versatile and accessible experience, accommodating users regardless of their browser preference and contributing to a smoother examination process.
11. Colour contrast ratio
Colour contrast ratio refers to the difference in luminance between text and its background. This ratio plays a vital role in ensuring that users can clearly and comfortably engage with platform content, whether it’s an exam question, an email, or other interactive items.
Adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is essential for inclusive design. The WCAG AA standard recommends a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1, while the stricter WCAG AAA standard suggests a ratio of 7:1 for enhanced readability.
Meeting these standards ensures a highly accessible user experience, offering clear and readable content for candidates of all abilities, including those with visual impairments or colour vision deficiencies.
12. WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
Opting for an online exam platform that aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA standards guarantees an inclusive and accessible digital environment for users of all abilities. This commitment to accessibility ensures that the platform is designed to accommodate diverse needs, meeting the standards set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and fostering an equitable experience for every user.
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References
- Ofqual. "Access Arrangements for GCSE, AS, and A-Level: 2022 to 2023 Academic Year" GOV.UK, published [2023], https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/access-arrangements-for-gcse-as-and-a-level-2022-to-2023-academic-year/access-arrangements-for-gcse-as-and-a-level-2022-to-2023-academic-year
- Statista. “Developing countries: Share of households with a computer in 2022”, published [2021], www.statista.com/statistics/748564/developing-countries-households-with-computer