Examination Access Arrangements
Examinations can sometimes be stressful and it is natural to feel anxious, but we believe that when an Examination Access Arrangement (EAA) has been awarded, it will enable you to reach your full potential and feel as relaxed as possible in your exams.
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Following your short assessment you may be awarded one or more of the access arrangments listed below. It is important to be aware that these must reflect your normal way of studying.
Examination Access Arrangements include some of the following:
" We couldn't be more grateful for the additional 50% extra time, it gave my son Jack that extra assistance he needed to help him pass his exams"
- Sarah, Clevedon
25% Extra Time*
(an additional 15 minutes for every hour of your exam)
Reader/Computer Reader
(used in a separate examination room)
Scribe/Voice Input System
(used in a separate examination room)
Laptop/PC
(used in a separate examination room)
Assistive Technology
(used in a separate examination room)
Modified Exam Paper
Separate Room/ Small Group
This gives you additional time to read the questions thoroughly, plan your answers and reflect on them at the end of the exam.
When you arrive for your exam you should let the invigilator know that you have been awarded extra time and they will tell you where to sit in the exam room.
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*In exceptional circumstances this can be increased up to 50% extra time in cases where an educational, health and care plan (EHC) has been granted and the correct supporting evidence provided by an assessment . An EHC is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.
A reader can read the questions on your exam paper, slowly and fluently, and this might help you to recognise words and phrases or give you time to think about what you will write.
A reader can re-read questions or individual words as many times as you like, but they cannot discuss your answers with you or interpret the question.
A reader can also read your written answers back to you. This can give you the opportunity to reflect on what you have done and correct any errors you can see in your script, including spelling or grammar.
A scribe will help you by writing exactly what you say when answering a question.
They are able to add punctuation marks such as commas and full stops when you pause.
Although they will sometimes ask you where you want to put them, you will have the opportunity to discuss this with them, before the examination starts.
The scribe will only ask you to spell words when they are subject specific or technical.
You may be entitled to other kinds of software or equipment to help you reach your
full potential.
This means the exam paper (including diagrams or photographs) can be enlarged (so that it is easier to read). It can also be presented on different coloured paper or in a braille format.
This will allow you to take your exam in a separate room with a small group of students. An invigilator will be present.
If you find certain words or phrases in your exam paper confusing, the Oral Language Modifier can make it easier for you by changing them to another word that means the same.
You will need to tell them which words to adapt.
Like a Reader, an Oral Language Modifier can read your exam paper to you, as many times as you like, to give you time to think about what it means and consider your answer.
They can also read your written answers back to you so that you can reflect on what you have done and correct any errors you can see in your script, including spelling or grammar.
Oral Language Modifier
(used in a separate examination room)
Prompter
Reading pens
Having a prompter, means that someone (usually an invigilator) is able to remind you to keep on task or focus on your exam paper.
Allow students to read the exam questions themselves and can be used in GCSE English exams. www.readerpen.co.uk
Bilingual Dictionary
Supervised Rest Breaks
(used in a separate examination room)
This will mean you will be in a separate room with an invigilator who will allow you supervised rest breaks as and when necessary.
Bilingual dictionaries can be used in exams by students whose first language is not English, although you have to provide your own. It can be used in any exam, unless the examination is testing your knowledge of English.
Read Aloud
(used in a separate examination room)
This will mean you will be in a separate room where you are able to read out aloud to yourself the questions and answers on the exam paper. Speaking out loud helps you to think more clearly and focus on the questions.
This allows you to use a computer in your examination. It means you can type your
answers and edit your work, however the use of a spellchecker is not permitted.
Sometimes the exam paper will be on the computer screen and sometimes it will be paper based – this depends on your examination. The Examination Office will be able to tell you how your paper will be presented.
When you are given a laptop/computer for an exam, you must be able to use it effectively and understand the basic principles of Microsoft Word. The invigilator will not be able to help you with this. You will be provided with a blank memory stick on which to save your work, which will be returned to the exams office when you have finished.
If you need any computer training, you may be able to access this from the Library at your educational establishment.
" Alison's work not only helps you to gain the appropriate equipment for you to further your studies, but it also makes you self aware of your difficulties, enabling you to focus more on these areas, something I have found very beneficial. "
— Emma, Weston Super Mare