Hello Emma,
If you have exhausted the helpful possibilities and solutions that other
contributors have suggested, then its sounds as though the process itself of
doing an exam might be the problem. If the phobia is so severe and if there
are no reasonable adjustments that you could make to the exam process then
the best/only solution would be an alternative to an exam. Whether or not
her phobia is disabling under the DDA, the QAA CoP suggests that
universities should consider 'demonstration of achievement in alternative
ways' in order for disabled students to have 'the same opportunity as their
peers to demonstate the achievement of learning outcvomes' [precpt 13].
After all, if a student had complex physical and sensory disabilities so
that they could not sit an exam whatever arrangements were devised, then an
alternative would have to be found. This is something that could be backed
up by medical evidence.
When I was at the University of North London the Academic Board passed a
regulation which said that, in very exceptional circumsatnces, and on the
recommendation of the various key people involved, a student could have
alternatives to examination. One of the student cases that prompted me to
take this forward was a student with profound depression who tried to commit
suicide on several occassions before exams.
If your student is simply unable to demonstrate her skills and abilities
through an exam, then another type of assessment should be devised that is
equally rigorous and which tests the same learning outcomes.
Hope this is helpful,
best wishes,
Caroline
*******************************************
Dr Caroline Davies
consultant in disability provision in HE
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Emma Fleet" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 11:37 AM
Subject: phobia query
Hello disforum members.
Wonder if anyone has any views on/experience of this situation?
A student at the School has what I think could be termed severe exam phobia,
and has failed any exam she has ever taken. She is already suffering from
severe anxiety (sleeplessness, vomiting), though the exams are not until
June.
She is academically very able and has always done well in essays and
take-home papers, but says she simply "cannot do exams".
I feel that DDA is relevant here, even if only as a guideline (if a phobia
is not deemed to be a disability), and what would be a "reasonable
adjustment".
I'm canvassing for views before I take this forward within the institution
and would be really grateful for any feedback.
Thanks,
Emma
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Emma Fleet
Welfare Officer
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT
+44 (0)20 7927 2163
I am in the office on Monday/Wednesday all day, and Thursday morning.
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