Testing Accommodations

Candidates who answer yes to these questions may get a test variance, known as a test accommodation.

• Do you need a different test date because of a conflict with military orders?
• Do you need extra time to take a written test due to English being your second language?
• Do you have a disability and need to change how the test is given?

When do I ask for a test accommodation?

Complete and submit the correct form as soon as:

1. You are approved to take a City of Columbus Civil Service Commission (CSC) Exam, and 
2. You learn that you need a test accommodation.

What form do I complete?

There are two types of forms we use for test accommodations.

Disability--Test  accommodations may be given for qualifying disabilities through the American's with Disability Act (ADA). Two forms are needed, the ADA Accommodation Form - Step 1  and ADA Accommodation Form Step - 2.

All Others--Test accommodations may be given for other reasons; not for a qualifying disability. Use the Non-ADA Accommodation Form.

Below we provide reasons and examples of when each form should be used, starting with the Non-ADA Accommodation Form. 

Non-ADA Accommodation Form

1. If you can't take the test on your scheduled test dates and no alternative dates are available. You will need to provide documentation showing that you can't test on the scheduled test date(s). Some examples of requests that could be approved include:
   • Military orders conflict with all test dates
   • Pre-planned vacation
   • Death in family
   • Emergency situation
2. If you have a short-term medical condition and you need an adjustment during testing, such as:
   • Your hand is in a sling and you need more time or a computer to type your responses
   • You had a recent eye surgery and you need a test with larger print or you need to test later when your eye is healed
   • You have back pain due to a recent injury and you need to stand during your exam
   • You are a nursing mother and need additional time to step away from the exam for lactation.
3. If English is your second language and you would like additional time. 
4. If you need a test accommodation and it is not related to a disability.

ADA Accommodation Form - Step 1 (fillable form) or ADA Accommodation Form - Step 1 (printable form)(PDF, 289KB)

If you have permanent disability that qualifies under the American's with Disabilities Act and your disability impacts your ability to test the ADA Accommodation Forms are needed. 

Completing the ADA Accommodation Form - Step 1 provides us documentation of your qualifying disability.

• A licensed medical provider will need to complete part of this form, or
• You will need to attach documentation completed by a licensed provider that confirms your qualifying disability.
• The provider provides their diagnosis and the impact relevant to your ability to perform various functions. Often, Individual Education Plans (IEPs) serve as acceptable documentation. 

The fillable form link above allows you to complete the Step 1 form and attach your provider documentation. If you need your provider to complete the form, then you should use the printable form so that you can bring the form to your provider.

After submitting an ADA Accommodation Form - Step 1 and we confirmed you have a qualifying disability, then we keep a record of your approval and you do not need to resubmit the Step 1 Form for future CSC exams.

ADA Accommodation Form - Step 2

The ADA Accommodation Form - Step 2 lets you tell us what type of accommodation you are requesting. Since each test is different, your request and what may be approved may change. 

• Submit ADA Accommodation Form - Step 2 each time you are approved to take a CSC test and want to request an accommodation.
• If this is your first request for an ADA accommodation, complete this Step 2 with your Step 1 form.

Examples of ADA accommodations given:

• An alternate test date in a smaller room due to ADHD
• Extended time on a written exam due to dyslexia
• A reader is provided due to a visual impairment that cannot be corrected. 
• Written instructions instead of verbal instructions due to a permanent hearing impairment.

If I complete the accommodation form(s), am I approved?

Test accommodations are given on a case-by-case basis determined by staff's ability to accommodate while maintaining test integrity. We provide a response to each request. 

Many times the test date, test time, or test location will need to change. You may get a different test notice that provides additional or changed details regarding your test.

Not all accommodation requests are granted. Examples of when accommodations are NOT given: 

• A reader is requested, but the exam is assessing written comprehension.
• More time is requested, but the exam is assessing how quickly something can be performed.
• Written test materials are requested for a verbal exam, however, the exam is assessing listening skills.
• An alternative test date is requested, however, the exam's test answers will be provided during an appeal or clerical review period.
• An alternative test date is requested because you can't get off work from your current job. 

Sometimes the approved accommodation is different than the requested accommodation. Examples of changes to the requested accommodation:

• A person with military orders on test day requests to be tested on a different test day. Instead, we grant the accommodation for the test to be given on the same day but at the military base.  
• A person with a qualifying disability requests additional time for all parts of a test. Instead, we grant the extended time for only portions of the test in which speed is not a factor being assessed. 
• A person with a qualifying disability requests a reader for all parts of the test. Instead, we grant recorded verbal instructions for the portions of the exam that are not assessing reading comprehension. 
• A person with a qualifying disability requests a room alone with no distractions. Instead, we grant a windowless, quiet room with a test administrator and two other test-takers. 

Additional questions? Contact us.