If you think you require any of the exam adjustments below, please go to the 'Reasonable exam adjustments' intranet page to find out how to apply.
Computer and/or extra time and/or rest breaks
If you have been assessed as needing a computer and/or extra time and/or rest breaks, but have no other requirements, you will sit alongside other students who have similar arrangements, in an exam venue that is separate to the main body of students. Your alternative exam venue will be shown on your personal exam timetable.
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Reader
A reader will read the rubric and questions on your exam paper. Your reader will have a basic understanding of the subject you are studying and will usually be a Postgraduate student from your School/Department. Your reader cannot be your lecturer, tutor, friend or relative.
Your reader will:
- Arrange a meeting with you before your exam to find out how they can best support you.
- Arrive at your exam venue a minimum of 15 minutes before the start of your exam.
- Only read the rubric, questions, permitted texts and the answers you have already written.
- Read the spelling of a word on the question paper.
- Read as often as you ask them too.
- Not give any advice on how to answer the exam questions.
- Not give any indication that your answer is right or wrong.
If your assessment for alternative exam arrangements shows that you need a reader, your exam venue will be within your School/Department. Your School or Department is responsible for arranging Departmental exams, so please contact them for more information. Your alternative exam venue will be shown on your personal exam timetable.
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Scribe (or amanuensis)
A scribe will write down or type your spoken answers during an exam. Your scribe will have a basic understanding of the subject you are studying and will usually be a Postgraduate student from your School/Department. Your scribe cannot be your lecturer, tutor, friend or relative.
Your scribe will:
- Arrange a meeting with you before your exam to find out how they can best support you.
- Arrive at your exam venue a minimum of 15 minutes before the start of your exam.
- Write precisely what you tell them to, including punctuation.
- Ask you to spell any specialist or technical terms.
- Not alter the content of your answer.
- Not give any indication that your answer is right or wrong.
- Read your answers back to you as often as you need them to.
- Allow you to review your answers and ask for corrections.
- Ensure that your exam paper is submitted at the end of the exam.
If your assessment for alternative exam arrangements shows that you need a scribe, your exam venue will be within your School/Department. Your School or Department is responsible for arranging Departmental exams, so please contact them for more information. Your alternative exam venue will be shown on your personal exam timetable.
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Separate room
Your assessment for alternative exam arrangements may show that you need to be in a room on your own or with only one or two other students. If this is the case, you will sit your exam within your School/Department.
Your School or Department is responsible for arranging Departmental exams, so please contact them for more information. Your alternative exam venue will be shown on your personal exam timetable.
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Sitting an exam in the University Medical Practice
If you have a medical condition which means you may require medical assistance during an exam, you can request to sit your exam in the University Medical Practice. A new medical assessment is required at the start of each academic year unless otherwise stated.
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Transcriber
If you need to submit your exam answers in a form that is not immediately readable, such as a Dictaphone recording, unclear handwriting or braille, a transcriber will write it out.
If the transcript is required because of your handwriting, you will be present when the transcript is produced, but you will not be able to make any corrections. Your transcriber will have a basic understanding of the subject you are studying and will usually be a member of support staff or a Postgraduate student from your School/Department. The transcriber will produce a transcript of your exam answers the next working day after your exam. Your original answers and the transcript will be submitted to the examiner along with the transcription.
If your answers need to be submitted in braille, a transcription company will transcribe your answers. Your transcriber cannot be your lecturer, tutor, friend or relative.
If your answers are being submitted in a non-written format, your School/Department will arrange a meeting between you and the transcriber where they will see how they can best support you.
During a transcription session the transcriber will:
- Ask you for clarification about words they are unsure about.
- Not allow you to change any of your answers.
- Not correct your grammar or choice of words.
- Allow you to read the transcription.
- Ask you to sign a form to confirm that the transcription is correct.
- Ensure that the transcription is submitted correctly.
If your assessment for alternative exam arrangements shows that you need a transcriber, your exam venue will be within your School/Department. Your School or Department is responsible for arranging Departmental exams, so please contact them for more information. Your alternative exam venue will be shown on your personal exam timetable.
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