CFA Accommodations

Last Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Welcome! You’re visiting this page likely because you are a student registered with the Centre for Accessibility (CfA), have some exam accommodations, and are wondering if you should register to write your exam with the CfA, or write your exam in the ORCA. The guidance below has been developed in collaboration with the CfA.

You will be writing your exam in the ORCA if you have one or more of the following accommodations:

  • Extended-time
  • Distraction-reduced environment
  • Close proximity to washroom
  • Phone permitted for medical purposes
  • Medical equipment/supplies/food

New accommodations added on January 24, 2026

Note that these accommodations were always available in the ORCA, but now are explicitly supported after discussion with the CfA

  • Computer
  • Calculator
  • Timer
  • Fan
  • Clocks
  • White Noise Machine
  • Exam announcements/instructions in writing
  • Formula sheets for exams

New accommodations added on Feb 6, 2026

  • Computer with Spellchecking

If you have any exam accommodations other than the ones listed above, then you should plan to write with the CfA and must register for your quiz or exam by their deadline. If you have any concerns about your accommodations being met, please reach out to your Accessibility Advisor for discussion.

Note: Please do not book assessments with the Centre for Accessibility if your accommodations are met in the ORCA. The CfA will cancel any exam bookings in this case and ask you to book yourself in with the ORCA.

Are CfA students allowed to wear wireless noise-cancelling headphones/headsets and listen to music?

Yes, all CfA students are permitted to bring their own wireless noise-cancelling headphones/headsets and use them during their exams. Please let the proctor know you will be using this accommodation at the beginning of your session when you check-in. It may also be connected to devices, but the device must be placed in the sleeves at the front of the ORCA.

I have found it distracting when I have an assessment with extended-time that bridges over two ORCA sessions. What can be done about this?

Yes, we are aware of this and understand it can cause distraction during your exam writing experience. There is a 10-minute period after each session where students are checking-in and filling in and out of the ORCA rooms. We are doing our best to do the check-in as quietly as possible, but there do need to be some brief announcements, and the process cannot be completely noiseless. To reduce its impact on you, we suggest you use ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones/headsets. In addition, to account for this, we will add an extra 10 minutes to your reservation (on top of CfA approved extended time). Together, we have confirmed with the CfA that these additional accommodations are sufficient to account for the disruptions during the 10 minutes.

We are actively working to improve the experience for CfA students by trying to secure a dedicated, private ORCA room exclusively for CfA students. However, this is a long term plan, not something that will happen in the short term.

If you have additional feedback, you can let us know by email: orca.support@ubc.ca.

Can I choose to write in the ORCA if I have an accommodation that cannot be met in the ORCA?

Yes you may write with the ORCA if you choose to forgo the accommodations that cannot be met.

Who can I contact if I have questions about my accommodations?

If you have any concerns about your accommodations, please reach out to your Accessibility Advisor for discussion.

Who can I contact if I have questions about your experience in the ORCA?

You can let your instructor or course coordinator know and ask them to pass along the information to the ORCA, or you can contact us directly at orca.support@ubc.ca.