Exam and assessment support

1. Additional time, where recommended, is usually 25%; other percentages individually recommended in a SpLD report that are in this region e.g. 20%, 33% will be adjusted to 25%.
2. For students with certain impairments e.g. a visual impairment, additional time may exceed 25%; this will be discussed and decided on a case by case basis.
3. Recommendations for additional time to present information in oral assessments is only given for students who require longer to respond to questions and read from prompts, for example visually impaired students, students with Autistic Spectrum Conditions.
4. Rest breaks, where recommended, will be 10 minutes per hour, at the student’s request and taken according to the student’s preference; this will be monitored by the invigilator. The 10 minutes also applies to any extra time the student may have as a separate recommendation.

Language modified papers may be recommended for Deaf students when English is considered an additional language. Both a modified and original copy of the examination paper will be provided in order to maximise the student’s understanding. Please note that exam scripts are to be completed in the English language and all students are expected to have a level of English that is at least to the level of GCSE English Grade C, or its equivalent.

1. At Manchester Metropolitan University, students are expected to hand write their answers, in English, for essay-based examinations.
2. Where a word processor is recommended by the Disability Adviser for written examinations, the spell checker will be disabled and the computer will be disconnected from all networks; any USB / storage devices will be checked by IT Services to ensure that they are free from any material that would give the student an unfair advantage in the examination.
3. Where the student’s need necessitates specific equipment, e.g. large screen monitor, this will be clearly identified in the Personal Learning Plan and provided in collaboration with the Disability Service, IT Services and the Examinations Officer.
4. Voice recognition software may be recommended where there is no other way of making a reasonable adjustment.

1. Neither prompters nor proof readers are allowed in examinations as students are required to demonstrate the competency to manage these examinations skills autonomously. Where this is an area of difficulty, students should access the support available to them in order to develop strategies in examination technique and proof reading.
2. Only university-approved personnel will be allowed to provide support to students in examinations. The student’s usual non - medical helpers (funded by Disabled Students’ Allowances), friends or family will not be allowed to provide examination support. The only exception to this is where a student has a significant speech impairment which would result in major communication difficulties. In these cases, the Disability Adviser may approve a support worker known to the student, with additional invigilation support, and clearly indicate this in the PLP.
3. The use of a reader or scribe, or the use of word processor, will only be included for a student with a SpLD if they are explicitly recommended in their Educational Psychologist report.
4. Reader: The invigilator will usually act as a reader for the student. Their role is to read the examination paper aloud to the student and to read work back on request. The reader cannot explain the question, give factual help, give advice regarding which questions to answer or provide prompts. If a reader cannot be supplied the student will be provided with an audio recording of the examination questions.
5. Scribe: The role of a scribe is to write answers verbatim, as dictated by the student; they can read back work on request but can only make amendments as directed by the student. The Scribe cannot be expected to spell technical course-specific words; the extra time allows for the student to spell these. For non-English examinations (i.e. languages), the scribe is likely to be an academic staff member.
6. Personal Assistant/Carer: Due to the nature of the disability some students may require the assistance of a personal assistant/carer, for example to assist with drinks or with bathroom needs arranged via Social Services. Arrangements will be made for them to sit near to the student and invigilators will be informed of their role.
7. Alternatives to standard assessments Alternative assessments may be considered if existing assessment methods do not enable the student to demonstrate understanding and if learning outcomes and core competency standards would not be compromised. This will be decided through liaison between the Disability Adviser and the Departmental Disability Co-ordinator.

1. Students recommended additional time in exams will normally take their exams in a smaller venue based only on their need, as determined by the Disability Adviser.
2. A separate room is only recommended by the Disability Advisers in exceptional cases e.g. where a support worker is also recommended e.g. scribe.