It is the intent of Agriculture Education Services and Technology, Inc. (AEST) to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to accommodate examinees with language limitations. AEST provides common accommodations for industry certification exams as necessary. Accommodations may alter the testing environment or the administration of the exam, but will not alter the content of the exam. All accommodation requests must be submitted online at least 72 hours PRIOR to testing. This allows for review and implementation of approved requests. AEST accommodations may include:
- Paper and pencil exams. Based on the student/candidate’s needs, paper exams can be provided as a substitute for online exams. This option allows candidates to mark directly on the test form. Candidates will require a proctor and the exam may or may not include additional accommodations such as extended time, verbal assistance, and use of a translation dictionary based on the student/candidate's needs. Paper exams are mailed to the assigned proctor via the U.S. Postal Service and require the proctor to return them via the U.S. Postal Service within 24 hours of the exam completion.
- After the accommodations request is approved, paper exams must be scheduled using the following link at least 7 days PRIOR to testing: Schedule a Paper Exam Session.
- Extended testing time. Based on the student/candidate's needs, the allotted time for the exam can be extended; however, the exam must be completed in a single session. Breaks can be given; however, break time will be deducted from the overall exam time.
- Verbal exams. Based on the student/candidate’s needs, proctors may read the exam to the examinee from the computer. The examinee can select their own choices, or the proctor may allow the examinee to answer orally and he/she will mark the indicated selection on their behalf. This type of accommodation requires a testing ratio of one proctor to one examinee. Verbal exams may or may not include extended time based on the student/candidate’s needs.
- Language Translation Dictionary use. Based on the student/candidate’s English Language Learner (ELL) needs, proctors can provide access to an English-to-heritage language translation and/or heritage language-to-English translation dictionary for use on AEST certification exams provided they meet the following requirements:
- Dictionary provides word-to-word translations only. They may NOT contain definitions, examples, images, or other contextual details.
- Electronic translation dictionary that provides word-to-word translations only, without accessing the Internet.
- NOT approved: Dictionary written exclusively in the heritage language or in English.
- Prior to testing, it is the proctor’s responsibility to preview dictionaries accessible to ELL students/candidates during AEST exams to ensure policy compliance. All dictionaries provided to students/candidates for use on certification exams MUST comply with AEST Language Translation Dictionary policies.