Extra time

Reasonable adjustments, such as providing extra time during assessments, are essential for ensuring fairness and accessibility across educational and testing environments. These adjustments are particularly crucial for candidates with specific needs, including conditions like dyslexia and ADHD, which may affect their pace and concentration during exams. For instance, students with dyslexia may require extra time to process written information, thereby leveling the playing field and allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge without being at a disadvantage due to their condition. Similarly, individuals with ADHD may benefit from additional time to maintain focus and complete tasks effectively. By implementing reasonable adjustments like extra time, we adhere to the principles of equality and inclusivity, ensuring every candidate can succeed based on their actual abilities and knowledge.

In Cirrus, there are three methods to grant 'extra time' to candidates:

• Assign a 'fixed' extra time in user profile: Add a specific duration, such as 15 minutes, for candidates marked for extra time in their profiles, ensuring they receive this additional time before the exam starts.

• Assign Extra Time based on 'percentage' in user profile: To accommodate varying levels of need, assign a percentage of extra time in the user profile, allowing for different amounts of extra time based on the exam's total duration.

• The invigilator adds extra time during the exam: Invigilators can grant extra time to candidates as needed during the exam.

How to Set Up Extra Time in User Profiles

• Navigate to User Management: Go to Admin > Users.
• Select a User: Choose the user you wish to assign extra time to.
• Assign Extra Time: In the user's profile, you have two options:
  • Fixed Time: Enable extra time and leave the percentage at 0 to use the fixed extra time specified in the assessment settings.
  • Percentage-Based: Enable extra time and enter the desired percentage (e.g., 15%, 25%, 50%).

Configuring Extra Time in Assessments

• Open Assessment Settings: Go to Assessment > Options.
• Choose Extra Time Method: Opt for percentage-based extra time over a fixed duration if you would like the percentage
• Save Settings: Confirm these settings before proceeding.

Understanding Extra Time Calculation

• Automatic Calculation: The system calculates extra time based on the assessment duration and the user’s assigned percentage.
• Example: For a 2-hour assessment with 25% extra time, an additional 30 minutes will be allocated. In total 150 min (2,5 hours)

The additional time will be rounded UP in case it's a decimal.

• example: For 1-hour + 37% = 82,2 min, which will be rounded up to 83 min

Timed sections

In Cirrus you are able to make use of sections, additionaly you are able to add a timer on to the sections.
Only the percentage option will be applicable on adding extra time on the sections. For example if you have a timer setup on a section with 10 minutes and the candidate has 20% extra time, the candidate will have 12 minutes.

During the Assessment: Invigilator Adjustments

Granting Extra Time: Invigilators can provide extra time as necessary, see our article about 'Invigilator action: give extra time'