Examination arrangements available for disabled students

• Extra time
• Separate room
• Amanuensis/scribe
• Questions produced on audio tape
• Use of a PC
• Voice recognition software
• Marking strategies
• Vivas

Extra time

Students to whom it might apply:

Any student who cannot compose essays under timed restrictions (dyslexic students). Students who need to take rests (students who experience severe pain, students with ME). Students who take longer than usual to complete a written test (students with manual impairments).

Circumstance:

Exams, any timed assessment (essays, reports).

Comments:

Some writers have argued that this is not a fair way of assessing all students. See Zuriff (2000). Must ensure that exams don't run into one another when concurrent.

Further reading:

Case study : Extra time

Unspeeded Examinations.

[Back to Current approaches.]

Separate room

Students to whom it might apply:

Students who can't attend the exam hall (acute hay fever sufferers, people who experience panic attacks). Students who need to use a computer where a computer isn't the usual mode of communication for the examination (e.g. students with visual impairments).

Circumstance:

Exams, timed tests.

Comments:

Requires extra resources, extra invigilators.

[Back to Current approaches.]

Amanuensis/scribe

Students to whom it might apply:

Students unable to write or unable to express themselves in writing e.g. students with manual dexterity problems or physical disabilities, students with severe dyslexia.

Circumstance:

Examinations, any timed assessment.

Comments:

Requires additional resources. Also need separate room so that dictation doesn't disturb other students. And near to exam room as student may need to question examiner about a point on the paper. Needs practice by both parties (student and scribe).

Questions produced on audio tape

Students to whom it might apply:

Students who are blind. Students who have difficulty understanding written word (dyslexia).

Circumstance:

Examinations.

Comments:

Needs forward planning to ensure availability of resource.

Use of a PC

Students to whom it might apply:

Various groups of disabled students may require the use of a PC in examinations and as a tool for completion of assignments. Generally the PC will be used in conjunction with specialist software or input devices.

Circumstance:

Coursework and sometimes in examination situations.

Comments:

Security of file system. May need to ensure the PC is not networked etc. The invigilator may need some specialist knowledge so that student doesn't cheat.

Further reading:

Guidelines for Using Technology in Examinations

[Back to Current approaches.]

Voice recognition software

Students to whom it might apply:

Dyslexic students, students with physical diasabilities who can't input into a PC using standard methods.

Circumstance:

Usually used for completion of assignments. Sometimes used in examinations.

Comments:

Security of file system. May need to ensure the PC is not networked etc. Ensuring that the students' voice profile is recognised on the PC being used in the examination.

Further reading:

Using Voice Recognition Software for Examinations.

Marking strategies

Students to whom it might apply:

Dyslexic student and some deaf students.

Circumstance:

Any written assessment

Further reading:

Guidance when marking the written work of Dyslexic students.

Marking the work of Deaf Students.

Vivas

Students to whom it might apply:

Students who are unable to write at a reasonable speed or ability to complete a timed examination.

Circumstance:

Written examinations.

Comments:

Question over whether course at HE require demonstration of literacy skills that can't be demonstrated in a viva.

Further reading:

Managing Oral Examinations.

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Last updated: 5 February 2003
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