Exam Access Arrangement

Reasons why it may be awarded:

Collecting evidence of ‘Normal Way of Working’. Internal Tests and Examinations

Supervised rest breaks

This is usually awarded for concentration difficulties, extreme stress or medical needs. This is the default for lots of candidates. This can involve movement, as this may help students to regulate.

Students will be given the opportunity to trial this in internal tests and exams. If they need to take a break, they put their hand up. If they need a movement break, they need to advise the invigilator and they will assist.

The student cannot access the exam paper during the break.

All the time taken for rest breaks will be added to the end of the exam.

Up to 25% extra time

This is usually awarded for an aspect of slow working, such as slow reading/slow processing. This arrangement has to be applied for and students need to meet very specific criteria to be awarded this arrangement.

In a test situation in class or internal exams, the student will need to write in a different colour pen or different font, if typing, to indicate the work completed during extra time. The extra time will be added to the end of the examination. If they decide not to use any extra time, they will need to complete a ‘Rejection of Extra Time Form’.

In class they may be given extra time to complete tasks.

Laptop (Word-processor)

 For students who meet the criteria on the school (Word processing Policy.)

The school may provide the student with a laptop for examinations, if not, they will advise the student to bring their own laptop.

Name, subject and other details as required will need to entered so they are printed onto the exam paper.

Question numbers should be entered carefully, particularly if some answers are written on the exam paper and some answers are typed on the laptop.

They should not have access to the internet or any files.

They should not have access to spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as calculator facility, unless these are applied for due to other circumstances.

At the end of the exam, they will need to print out their script, check it and sign to confirm that it is complete.

Prompter

Where a student may lose concentration.

This is to help the candidate maintain their focus on the paper. This role is carried out by an invigilator or if a reader and or scribe is used, they may have this role. The prompter will attract the student’s attention by tapping the table; saying their name or showing a flash card.

The prompter cannot:

• advise on which questions to choose
• tell the student which order to do the questions
• advise the student to move on to the next question

Reader

For students who have difficulty reading by themselves.

The reader might be someone who will just read to one student or be shared with other students.

If an individual reader, they will sit with the candidate. The student needs to tell them what they would like read to them and nothing else. If a shared reader, then, the student should put their hand up to get help. They will be in a room separate to the main hall.

The student can ask the reader to:

• read all or part of the exam paper, as many times as they like
• read back any of their answers

The reader cannot:

• read any of the questions or passages to them in a paper (or sections of a paper) which is testing reading, such as in an English Language paper that is testing reading
• explain or clarify any of the paper. They can only read word for word from the paper, and will only re-read, if asked by them to
• help them to choose which questions to do
• tell them when to move on to the next question, or in what order to do the questions

Exam Reading Pen

For students who may need odd words and sentences read to them.

Students will use in class and headphones are available for them. Similarly, this enables, students to use reading pens in exam halls as well. Reading pens can be used in all exams.

Read aloud

For those students who are able to process their reading more effectively if they hear what they read.

They will be accommodated elsewhere so as not to be overheard in a test condition. They will use in internal tests and exam, as well as in class.

Scribe

For those students who are slow or illegible writers, or those with significant difficulty writing by themselves.

This is where the student dictates their answers to someone who will write or type them. If the student is having help with reading too, the same person will read and write for them. They will be working in a room separate from the main hall. There may be other students in the room with them, so they need to ensure that they do not dictate so loudly that they can be overheard.

The scribe will:

• write down or type answers exactly as they are dictated to them
• read back any of the student’s answers if asked to do so
• change an answer if asked to write down something, if different
• if possible, it is best for the student to draw maps and diagrams and graphs, otherwise they will need to give clear instructions to the scribe to complete these

The scribe cannot:

• explain or clarify any of the paper
• help the student to choose which questions to do
• tell the student when to move on to the next questions, or in what order to do the questions
• read any of the exam paper, unless they are also a reader for the student.

 Please note to get SPAG marks, the student will need to dictate punctuation in English, English Literature, Geography, History and Religious Studies.

If answering in a foreign language, the student will need to dictate spellings.

It may be easier for the student to write for themself in Maths, otherwise they have to describe how to set out the answer.

Coloured Overlay/Glasses

For those who may experience visual stress/ read better with a coloured filter.

An assessment may be completed in school, but this does not constitute a diagnosis.

Students regularly use a coloured overlay to assist with reading in class and in tests/exams.

Bilingual dictionary

For those with English as a second language who benefit with word for word translation. The dictionary can’t give a definition.

Used in class and in tests and internal examinations.

It cannot be used in subjects that award marks for SPAG English, History, Geography and RE for example.

Fidget Devices

For those who may require something to fidget with. This may be due to sensory needs for example

A quiet device such as Blutac to use in tests/exams.

Mobile in Exams

Due to a medical requirement such as diabetes to assist with the monitoring of levels.

The mobile is on the desk in sight of invigilators during internal examinations in the hall.

Ear buds

To assist those who may be distracted by noise.

Using in test/exam conditions.

Noise Cancelling headphones

As above

As above, cannot be bluetooth/connected to wi-fi, so not electronic.

White noise

For those with a hearing difficulty such as tinnitus.

They will be given a device with headphones to listen to white noise for periods of their choosing during the exam. The school will determine the source of ‘white noise.’

Music

For those students who may find that music helps them to concentrate/regulate. This may be used by students with ASD/ADHD.

They will be given a device with headphones to listen to music for periods of their choosing during the exam. The school will provide the music. There will be a small choice.

Enlarged font/paper

For those with a visual impairment, they may require a paper especially printed to access their exam.

Use in exams and tests. They may have handouts with enlarged fonts, in class.

Coloured Paper

For those who may experience visual stress, they may require their exam to be printed on grey/buff paper.

Use in exams and tests. The school uses buff paper for all photocopied materials.

Doodling

For those who may benefit from this arrangement as it may help them to concentrate/regulate.

School will provide papers for doodling in tests and internal mock exams. This needs to be crossed out and submitted with test /exam scripts.

All rough work should be completed on the exam script.