# Exam adjustments: apply at your university

Need extra time, breaks or aids for an exam? Learn how to apply, document your needs and check local deadlines and decisions.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/tilrettelegging-eksamen-universitet
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-10-04T15:37:15.939+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-05T00:09:04.796096+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- An individual right with academic requirements Suitable adjustments help you demonstrate knowledge without reducing the programme’s requirements.
- Local application deadlines Find both the application deadline and any later documentation deadline at your own institution.
- Document the effects on taking the exam Describe your needs specifically and check that the decision covers your exams and the correct period.

Exam adjustments can help you demonstrate your knowledge when illness, disability or special needs make taking the exam difficult. Apply to your university or college and document your needs. The measures must not reduce academic requirements.

## Who has a right to exam adjustments?

Students with disabilities or special needs have a right to suitable individual adjustments. This covers exams, teaching and practical placements, among other things, but the measure must be assessed for your situation.

The rules in this guide were checked as of 3 October 2026. [Universitets- og høyskoleloven § 10-5](https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2024-03-08-9), in Norway's Universities and Colleges Act, describes the right. Adjustments must not place a disproportionate burden on the institution either.

This is a right to a suitable solution, rather than an automatic right to the exact measure you request. You must still achieve the programme's required learning outcomes. An extra break or an aid should make taking the exam possible without lowering academic standards.

The article concerns universities and colleges. SamfunnPrep also provides [the overview of higher education in Norway](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/hoyere-utdanning-lanekassen). Adjustments for the social studies test have a different application process from university exams.

## Which measures can you apply for?

You can apply for measures matching the challenge you face during the exam. The possibilities depend on your needs, the exam type and what can be implemented.

**NTNU**, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, mentions extra time, smaller rooms, rest rooms and adapted desks, among other measures. A computer in a paper exam or writing-support software for dyslexia may also be relevant. Dyslexia means persistent reading and writing difficulties.

Do not choose from the list as though it were a menu of guaranteed rights. First explain what makes the exam difficult. Your institution assesses which measure can reduce the disadvantage without changing academic requirements.

An illustrative example is a student who needs breaks to manage a documented condition. The student describes how often the need arises and which exam type is involved. The institution then assesses possible measures; the example does not promise a specific number of extra minutes.

## What should the documentation explain?

Documentation must show how your needs affect taking the exam. A diagnosis alone is not necessarily enough to identify the right adjustments.

[Nord universitet's guidance](https://www.nord.no/student/eksamen/tilrettelegging-ved-eksamen) explains that documentation from a doctor, psychologist or another qualified expert must describe the consequences for the exam. A **qualified expert** is a professional who can assess and document the relevant need.

Ask the professional to connect the information to the exam situation. Is the problem reading time, a need for breaks, physical space or necessary equipment? Explain too whether the need is permanent or applies for a limited period.

For dyslexia, both NTNU and Nord require an assessment report on reading and writing difficulties, rather than only a medical certificate. Use your institution's documentation requirements. A certificate sufficient at a previous school does not necessarily cover everything the new institution needs.

## When is the application deadline?

Application deadlines are set locally and differ between universities. Find the correct page for your institution and record both the application deadline and any deadline for submitting documentation afterwards.

As of 3 October 2026, the universities state these ordinary deadlines:

| Institution | Autumn semester | Spring semester |
|---|---|---|
| NTNU | 15 September | 15 February |
| Nord universitet | 1 September | 1 February |

The table gives examples, rather than a nationwide deadline. NTNU's spring deadline also applies to deferred exams in August. NTNU gives documentation deadlines of 10 October and 10 March when documents are submitted afterwards.

The autumn deadlines in the table had passed on the date this article was checked. If your need arose later, contact your institution immediately and investigate how to apply now. Do not assume a later need must wait until next semester.

At Nord, submit the application by the deadline even if documentation is not ready; it can be submitted afterwards. At NTNU, you can also apply before documentation is available. Nevertheless, follow the specific later-submission deadlines and requirements.

## How do you apply securely?

Use your institution's application form and channel, and check that attachments are included. Send health information through the secure system specified by your institution.

NTNU uses a digital application form. Nord describes an application form and submission through eDialog, a secure system for digital letters. Both have separate document instructions.

NTNU states that applications containing sensitive documents cannot be processed through ordinary email. Do not send your medical certificate to a random teacher to be quick. Ask the exam office to show you the correct channel if you are unsure.

Use this checklist:

1. Find your institution's adjustments page.
2. Check deadlines, forms and documentation requirements.
3. Describe your needs and which exams are involved.
4. Upload documents or clarify permitted later submission.
5. Save the receipt and follow messages from the institution.
6. Read the decision and check that the measure covers the relevant exam.

## What happens if the need arises after the deadline?

Apply as soon as a new, acute need arises. Late adjustments depend, among other things, on documentation and what your institution can practically arrange.

[NTNU's guidance](https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Tilrettelegging%2Bp%C3%A5%20eksamen) describes an urgent application through the same form. Documentation must show that the need arose after the deadline and must accompany the application. Adjustments may be granted if they are practically feasible.

If the exam cannot be adjusted and you cannot take it, valid absence may become relevant. This is a separate assessment with its own requirements. Contact the exam office; an adjustments application is not automatically a notification of valid absence.

Nord states that applications after the deadline are handled as far as possible. This does not mean that every measure can be arranged on exam day. State the exam date clearly and send what your institution needs as early as possible.

## How long does a decision apply?

Read the decision to see which exams, measures and periods it covers. A permanent need does not always mean that an old decision follows you through every future programme.

At Nord, students with permanent needs may receive adjustments for the programme's standard duration. If you take longer than that period, you must apply again. Other students apply each semester.

NTNU requests a new application when you change programme, start a master's degree or need measures beyond the decision's period. NTNU also shows approved measures in Studentweb, the digital student service. Check the information before the exam.

If the decision does not cover what you need, contact the adjustments service. Ask for an explanation of the decision and read the appeal information in the letter. You can also seek advice from the student ombud, a service helping with student rights.

## What should you check before exam day?

Check the room, time, aids and that the approved arrangement is actually registered. Practise with the equipment you will use so technical matters do not take time during the exam.

For example, clarify the licence and login for writing-support software. Permission to use that aid does not mean every other program or website is allowed. Follow both the decision and exam rules.

If information is missing, contact the institution before the exam. Keep the decision and the contact information you need. On [SamfunnPrep's tools page](https://samfunnprep.no/en/verktoy), you can find practical planning resources; add your local exam deadlines and documents to the same plan.

## FAQ

### Does a diagnosis automatically give extra time?

No. Your needs and their consequences for the exam must be documented. Your institution assesses a suitable measure without lowering academic requirements.

### Is the application deadline the same throughout Norway?

No. NTNU and Nord have different semester deadlines. Use the information from your own institution.

### Can I apply before documentation is ready?

NTNU and Nord allow application and later document submission, but you must follow local documentation deadlines and requirements.

### What if an injury occurs after the deadline?

Contact your institution and apply immediately. NTNU has an urgent application requiring documentation that the need arose after the deadline; measures must be practically feasible.

## Sources

- [Lov om universiteter og høyskoler (universitets- og høyskoleloven) - Lovdata](https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2024-03-08-9)
- [Tilrettelegging på eksamen - Kunnskapsbasen - NTNU](https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Tilrettelegging%2Bp%C3%A5%20eksamen)
- [Tilrettelegging ved eksamen](https://www.nord.no/student/eksamen/tilrettelegging-ved-eksamen)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Exam adjustments: apply at your university", SamfunnPrep, 2026-10-04T15:37:15.939+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/tilrettelegging-eksamen-universitet