One of the major components of my visual impairment is monocular double vision, which means that I see two of everything, even with glasses. This can make taking math tests and statistics tests challenging as individual symbols or characters can be hard to identify if they are printed close together, or questions or answers may appear to overlap with each other. After many years of getting lower scores on tests because I had trouble seeing them, I’ve developed a list of several strategies for how I take math tests with double vision that help me access information independently and accurately. Useful for students and instructors alike, here is how I take statistics tests and math tests with double vision, along with tips and strategies for configuring page layouts for visual access.
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One of the major components of my visual impairment is monocular double vision, which means that I see two of everything, even with glasses. This can make taking math tests and statistics tests challenging as individual symbols or characters can be hard to identify if they are printed close together, or questions or answers may appear to overlap with each other. After many years of getting lower scores on tests because I had trouble seeing them, I’ve developed a list of several strategies for how I take math tests with double vision that help me access information independently and accurately. Useful for students and instructors alike, here is how I take statistics tests and math tests with double vision, along with tips and strategies for configuring page layouts for visual access.
Background: How I receive math and statistics tests
In all of the math and statistics classes I have ever taken in college (from undergrad to grad school), I have not been able to use LockDown browser or similar software because I can’t zoom in on the page with browser zoom without the screen becoming distorted, and I also can’t use other assistive technologies like a screen magnifier or screen reader. Instead of using the browser proctoring, I typically would take proctored exams either with the instructor supervising me or I would contact the Disability Services Testing Center. Some of my instructors have also given me an alternative exam that I would take without proctoring that was password-protected and different from everyone else’s exam– one of my instructors actually chose to make my exam harder by not giving me multiple choice questions and having me write answers myself, but most of my other instructors would just change the numbers in each question.
I have also run into a few issues over the years with enlarging math content (especially exponents and Greek letters) when taking quizzes using Blackboard or Canvas, typically when using screen magnification or browser zoom. However, many of my math/statistics instructors in recent years have stopped using Blackboard or Canvas for tests with all students. Instead, students receive a copy of the test as a separate file, where students are expected to complete the test in another application (e.g. Word) and then upload the finished document to the course website. This strategy has been used for in-person math and statistics classes, as well as synchronous and asynchronous online classes.
Related links
- Math Test Accommodations For Low Vision
- How I Receive Accessible Quizzes and Tests in the Classroom
- Testing Accommodations For Low Vision Students
Increase spacing between questions
I describe my typical experiences with double vision as being something closer to “1.75 vision” than true double vision, as the duplicate image often overlaps or crashes into the first image, similar to a shadow effect– if I have a lot of eye fatigue or pain, the double image will be further away and more closely resemble two separate images. This makes reading single-spaced lines more challenging, as the double image will overlap and can make it more challenging to figure out where one line ends and another begins, or which numbers/symbols appear in a given line. Increasing spacing between questions helps tremendously with line tracking as it reduces the illusion of overlapping lines. Double-spacing (line-height: 2.0) or even triple spacing (line-height: 3.0) lines can be a helpful strategy for reading with double vision.
When using Microsoft Word, a quick way to apply double spacing or triple spacing to an entire document is to select all text with **Ctrl + A **and then use the keyboard shortcut **Ctrl + 2 **for double spacing or **Ctrl + 3 **for triple spacing. The **+ **symbol is to show that the two keys should be pressed simultaneously; there is no need to press the plus key.
Related links
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Two of Everything: Living With Double Vision
- Using PicsArt To Simulate Low Vision
- Disability and Classroom Accommodations For Chiari Malformation
- Disability Accommodations For Fluctuating Eyesight
Increase scaling for equations in Word
Increasing spacing between characters or adjusting kerning for math fonts is challenging to do, but one strategy that has helped me a lot when accessing content inserted with the Word equation editor is to increase the scaling of equations. This “stretches out” the equation and provides some more spacing between characters and symbols while ensuring it is still easy to identify components of equations.
There is no keyboard shortcut for scaling equations in Word. To increase the scaling of equations in Word:
- Select all of the text in an equation (or multiple equations)
- Right-click on the selected text
- Select Font
- Select Advanced
- Under character spacing, select **Scale **and choose a value from the drop-down menu. Options for larger scaling include 150% and 200%
- Select **OK **to save changes
Shown below is a comparison of how the sample variance formula looks when scaled to 100%, 150%, and 200%.
Related links
- Adapting Accessible Charts: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Adapting Math Symbols: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
List answer choices in a single column
Another strategy that has helped me when taking multiple-choice tests with low vision is to have all answer choices in a single column with their own line, instead of having two or more answers stacked next to each other. This is especially helpful when answer choices include fractions, subscripts, or superscripts since these often appear in a smaller font size.
If I have access to a digital copy of the test that I can edit, I will convert multi-column layouts to a single column layout in Word by using the following keyboard shortcut, pressing each key one at a time in the order listed: Alt, P, J, 1, Enter.
Related links
- Adapting Page Layouts: Math Problems and Low Vision
- My Favorite Free Math Websites For Low Vision
- How To Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows
Select an accessible calculator with fewer on-screen buttons
While this isn’t specific to just tests, having access to a calculator that supports keyboard shortcuts or alternative input makes it a lot easier to access essential calculations during an exam because I don’t have to strain my eyes to look at the buttons. A lot of my math tests and statistics tests have only allowed the use of basic calculators, so I will often use the myScript Calculator app on my iPad because it accepts handwritten input and can display text in large print. I also have used the built-in Windows calculator and iPad calculator applications since they support large print and keyboard shortcuts, meaning I don’t have to press on-screen buttons to perform calculations.
Related links
- Five Accessible Calculator Apps For Low Vision
- Adapting Coordinate Planes: Math Problems and Low Vision
Use an index card or line tracker to block other questions
To make it easier to focus on a single question or answer choice, I find it helpful to use an index card, line tracker, typoscope, or other similar tool to mask/cover other areas of a page. Some examples of tools I have used when working with digital formats include:
- Digital ruler in Notability or Markup on iPad
- Line focus in Immersive Reader for Microsoft Word
- Line reader extensions within a web browser— this works less well when editing documents
Another option is to zoom in on specific areas of a page to block out other questions or answer choices, which helps to minimize double vision distorting the appearance of multiple questions. Alternatively, consider structuring the document with headings that can be hidden/collapsed when not in use; one of my instructors would assign Heading 2 tags to question names (e.g. Question 1) and write the equation or question underneath. The instructor was already using Heading 1 tags to divide different sections of the document.
Related links
- Digital Rulers For Dysgraphia and Low Vision
- How I Use Microsoft Immersive Reader With Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- Customize Microsoft Edge Accessibility For Low Vision
Choose responsive file formats like Word over PDF
Fixed formats (fixed layouts) are designed to mimic traditional page layouts as much as possible, with preset font styles, line spacing, text alignment, and font sizes determined based on the size of the user’s screen. The appearance of the page cannot be changed, and users will have to use pinch-to-zoom or screen magnification and horizontal scrolling to enlarge text. This is different from responsive formats, which allow for display customizations that can be configured by the user such as adjustable font sizes, options to choose different font styles or text alignments, adjustable line spacing, or changing the page color.
As a student with low vision that accesses large print, I prefer responsive layouts because I can adjust the font size more easily, which is especially useful when reading exponents or other small symbols that might be challenging to enlarge with screen magnification alone. It is also easier for me to read responsive layouts on both my computer and tablet— I find fixed formats more challenging to read on my computer due to the horizontal scrolling involved when reading text in large print.
Related links
- Implementing Shared Folders For Accessible Materials
- ALEKS Accessibility For Visual Impairment
- MyLab Math Accessibility and Low Vision
- How I Use WebAssign With Low Vision
- Ten Questions To Ask When Buying Digital Textbooks
Highlight answers instead of circling them
Instead of circling the answer to multiple-choice questions or drawing a circle around the final answer in scratch work, students with double vision may prefer to highlight answers as this can provide more precision and assist with line tracking. This can also be useful when providing feedback or corrections as markers and highlighters have increased thickness compared to pens or pencils.
Related links
- Highlighting Information With Low Vision
- Writing Aids For Low Vision: My Personal Superlatives
- Strategies For Using Lined Paper With Low Vision
- How I Show Work For Math With Low Vision and Dysgraphia
More resources for how I take math tests with double vision
- Many of my math tests and statistics tests include corresponding formula sheets or equations sheets so that students don’t have to memorize a ton of formulas. I share more about how I format these in How To Create An Accessible Formula Sheet
- When it comes to reading tables with double vision, I prefer to use digital formats so I can use Ctrl+F or find in page to search for text. It also makes it easier for me to reduce visual clutter. I mention this strategy in Adapting Accessible Z-Tables: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Interested in learning more about math test accommodations for low vision? Read Math Test Accommodations For Low Vision
- I have double vision as the result of an eye condition (strabismus/accommodative esotropia) and a brain condition (Chiari Malformation), both of which contribute to my diagnosis of Category 2 low vision in both eyes— I am not sure which condition specifically contributes to monocular double vision, but both are associated with double vision. Learn more about explaining residual vision in Learning To Explain Usable Vision
Published November 5, 2025. Updated November 2025