Use of a Memory Aid for Exams

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:

Memory Aids generally should NOT:

Memory Aid Procedures for Exams

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