A memory aid (sometimes called a cue sheet) is an accommodation that may support students who experience significant disability-related barriers with memory retrieval during quizzes and exams.
A memory aid provides prompts that help a student access information they have learned and studied but may have significant difficulty-related challenges during an assessment. It is not intended to provide answers, reduce academic expectations, or replace the learning process. Instead, it helps promote equitable access while maintaining course standards.
Memory aids are individualized and developed through collaboration among the student, instructor, and SAS.
Students interested in this accommodation must be connected with SAS and meet with a SAS counselor to explore their request related to this accommodation.
To determine whether a memory aid is appropriate, SAS counselors review available documentation and engage in an interactive process with the student regarding disability-related barriers and accommodation needs. The student may be required to provide SAS with additional documentation related to memory impacts prior to authorizing this accommodation.
If authorized, the memory aid accommodation will be listed on the student's accommodation form.
Students authorized for this accommodation are responsible for:
- Learning and studying course content.
- Developing their memory aid.
- Communicating with instructors regarding use of the accommodation.
- Following established timelines and procedures.
Memory aids are individualized and may vary based on the course, assessment, and student needs.
Memory aids may include:
- Acronyms
- Key words or phrases
- Diagrams
- Pictures
- Formulas
- Definitions
- Symbols
- Other approved cues
Memory aids may be handwritten or typed and organized by chapter, module, topic, or chronology. Common formats include:
- 3x5 note cards
- 5x7 note cards
- 5 x 11 sheets
- Larger formats when needed to support disability-related access
A memory aid should function as a prompt rather than a source of answers.
Students are encouraged to discuss use of the memory aid with their instructor as early as possible and establish expectations regarding review and submission.
Students are not required to disclose disability information to instructors in order to use this accommodation.
Submission Timeline
Students must submit their memory aid to the instructor at least five business daysbefore a quiz or exam, unless:
- A different timeline is agreed upon, or
- The instructor provides less than five days' notice of the assessment.
- When assessments are announced with limited notice, students should be provided reasonable opportunity to develop and submit their memory aid before the assessment or complete the assessment at a later time if necessary.
- If a student does not submit the memory aid by the established deadline, the instructor may deny use of the memory aid for that assessment.
Submitting the memory aid in advance allows time for review, feedback, revision, and approval.
Faculty review memory aids to determine whether the content is appropriate.
Instructors may exclude information when there is a valid academic reason related to the learning outcomes being assessed.
Examples:
- If an assessment measures a student's ability to apply a formula, the formula itself may be permitted while worked examples may not.
- If an assessment measures recall of a formula, the formula itself may not be permitted because it would provide the answer being assessed.
- If edits are needed, instructors should identify what information needs to be changed and provide the student an opportunity to revise and resubmit the memory aid.
Students using SAS proctoring services should schedule testing appointments according to the procedures outlined on the Proctoring webpage.
Students authorized for a memory aid who select this accommodation when scheduling a proctored exam will receive reminders related to the submission process.
For proctored exams:
- The student develops the memory aid.
- The student submits the memory aid to the instructor.
- The instructor reviews and approves the memory aid.
- The instructor sends the approved memory aid to SAS.
- SAS includes the approved memory aid with the exam materials.
Students may find the following resources helpful when creating a memory aid:
- How to Create a Memory Aid (Queen's University)
- Sample Memory Aid Content (University of Washington)
- Memory Aid Example 1 (Queen's University)
- Memory Aid Example 2 (Queen's University)
A memory aid accommodation provides disability-related access to information that a student has learned but may experience difficulty retrieving during an assessment. The accommodation provides cues or prompts and is not intended to provide answers, reduce academic standards, or fundamentally alter course outcomes.
Faculty can support implementation by:
- Discussing use of the memory aid with the student before quizzes and exams.
- Reviewing submitted memory aids and providing feedback when revisions are needed.
- Identifying content that may be inconsistent with the learning outcomes being assessed.
- Communicating questions or concerns to the student and SAS as early as possible.
Students are expected to submit memory aids to you at least five business days before an assessment, unless another timeline has been established.
Faculty partnership matters. Your collaboration helps ensure disability-related access while preserving the integrity of course learning outcomes and assessment objectives.
Faculty who have questions or concerns about implementing this accommodation, or who believe it may fundamentally alter an essential course, assessment, or program are encouraged to review the Faculty Resources page and contact the SAS counselor listed on the student's accommodation form or SAS at (760) 795-6658 or sas@miracosta.edu for consultation and support.
