Use of a Memory Aid for Exams

What is a Memory Aid?

A memory aid is a testing accommodation used to support students who have challenges with memory. It is a tool used to trigger information that a student has studied but may have difficulty recalling due to cognitive processing deficits associated with memory and recall. The memory aid allows the student to demonstrate knowledge of course material by helping prompt the student’s memory, not by providing the answer. Memory aids should only provide memory clues for the student to recall the concepts they have studied, and would not be useful if the student hasn’t learned the material.

Students may be limited in their ability to use a memory aid if the memorization of certain elements are deemed necessary to meet the core-learning outcomes of the course subject. In these instances, DRS and Instructor consultation will be required.

 

What does a Memory Aid look like? 

Styles of memory aids may vary. Memory aids are typically small, and not meant to be exhaustive such as an open book exam. Exact size of the memory aid should be at the discretion of the instructor, but DRS recommends anything between the size of a 3”x 5”in index card or a 8.5”x11” sheet of paper. The content should serve as memory triggers for the student rather than explicit course content: the ideal memory aid would most likely make little sense to anyone but that specific student. 

At the discretion of the instructor, the memory aids may or may not include:

• Acronyms
• Short phrases
• Pictures
• Schematic diagrams
• Formulas
• Names
• Definitions
• Tables
• sample questions
• Key terms/work charts

 

Memory Aids generally should NOT:

• Directly answer exam or quiz questions
• Have steps listed for how to work problems
• Include specific examples how formulas are used
• Include copied pages from textbooks
• Include student’s extensive class notes, lectures notes, or slides
• Include access to homework in the testing environment
• Include the use of open textbooks
• Serve as a substitute for studying

 

Examples of Memory Aids linked here

Memory Aid Procedures for Exams

For each exam that the student uses a memory aid, the following must occur: 

• The student provides the memory aid to the instructor for editing and final approval, at least 3 business days prior to the test/exam.
  • Note- if the 3 business days timeline does not align with the students’ needs, instructors and students should work together to find a new timeline for a memory aid approval. (i.e: course content is taught in class that will be included in the exam within the 3 business days window.) 
• Instructor then:
  1. Approves the memory aid as is, 
  2. Removes information that the Instructor has deemed inappropriate, or 
  3. Disallows the memory aid altogether because the memory triggers are deemed to be essential to the learning objectives/outcomes for the course

If this timeline is not followed, the student may not be allowed to use their memory aid in their exam.