What are the benefits of assessing for exam arrangements?
The following difficulties are examples of when a young person may qualifiy* for exam dispensations:
• Slow handwriting/poor fine motor skills
• A difficulty getting ideas down on to paper
• Slow processing speed (cognitive or verbal)
• Slow reading speed
• Poor reading accuracy
• Poor comprehension skills
• Poor working memory
• Attentional problems
• High levels of anxiety
Assessing for exam arrangement ensures that a young person is put on a level playing field with other students who do not experience such difficulties. Advice is given as to what arrangement would be appropriate with the identified need.
Arrangements may include:
• Additional time
• Access to a word processor
• Access to a scribe
• Access to a reader
• Access to a prompt
• Rest breaks
• Separate exam invigilation
*Pupils must be assessed as having at least one below average score (equal to or below standard score 84) or have two scores falling in the low average range (85-89). Under the JCQ guidelines the pupil’s school/college must support the access arrangement by demonstrating evidence of need. Please see the link below for more detail.
www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration
A post 16 report can be used to apply for Disability Student’s Allowance for Higher Education.
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