Can you explain what my exam support means?
In the main exam periods (January, May/June and the August resit period), your exam support will be arranged by the central Exams team and DASS Exams Administrator.
If you have any exams which are not part of the main exam periods or which are arranged in-house by your School, then your School will be responsible for putting in place the alternative arrangements agreed below. If you are not sure if your School has put your exam support in place for in-house exams, please contact your School Disability Coordinator.
General recommendations:
Alternative Format Paper
Your exam paper will be provided in an alternative format, as agreed with your Disability Adviser. For example, you may need your paper to be printed in 16pt Arial Bold if you have a visual impairment.
Amanuensis
An amanuensis is a scribe. You will dictate your exam to them and they will write it for you. All students who have an amanuensis receive 50% extra time because it takes longer to complete the work. However, if you choose not to use the amanuensis in the exam then you won't receive 50% extra time.
Equipment chair
This means that you have been recommended use of a more comfortable or ergonomic chair because of your disability.
Equipment PC/Possible PC
This means that you can use a computer in your exams to type your answers. If you have said that you want to use a computer but then decide you want to handwrite the exam, you will be able to do this, even if you are in the computer room. If your recommendations state 'possible PC' then you will be contacted before each exam period to confirm whether or not you want to use a computer, and if so, for which exams.
You will be contacted via your student email address, and please make sure you reply promptly. If you do not, it may mean that we don't have enough time to organise your support.
Extra time
This means that you will receive a certain percentage of extra time for all timed, written examinations. This does not apply to oral exams or practical exams unless explicitly stated and agreed with the Disability Advisory and Support Service.
Invigilator Aware - See Note
This means that we will ask the invigilator to be aware of something in the exams. For example, we may ask the invigilator to be aware if you have epilepsy or panic attacks.
Reader
This means that the invigilator will be able to read the exam paper to you, or read your exam answers for you. You will need to ask them to do this.
If you've told us that you may only need an occasional word reading to you, then you won't be able to change your mind during an exam period if you're in a room with other students as this may impact on their exam. Instead, you should contact your Disability Adviser as soon as possible after your exam to explain this, so that we can make arrangements for your next exam period.
Rest breaks
If you are recommended rest breaks, you can ask the invigilator to 'stop the clock' whilst you take a break. This means that you won't lose time from your exam if, for example, you experience anxiety or panic during the exam.
Usually, rest breaks of ten minutes per hour are recommended. If you have a three hour exam and a recommendation for 10 minutes per hour rest break is made, Youwill be able to break for up to 30 minutes during that three hour exam. The elapsed time of the exam could therefore potentially be 3.5 hours.
You accumulate rest breaks in any extra time period i.e. if youhave 50% extra time for a 1 hour examination, the duration of the exam will be 1.5 hours and you can access up to 15 minutes of rest breaks.
Rest breaks are flexible. You may use none or only part of your time allowance. You may also use it flexibly across the time of the exam. For example, where you have rest breaks of 10 minutes per hour in a three hour exam you could take a 15 minute break after the first hour and a 15 minute break after the second hour.
The reasons that make these breaks necessary cannot usually be predicted in an exact manner so it is important that the time can be used flexibly throughout the exam period.
The recommendation for rest break time is absolute, and if you are unable to return to complete your exam after the permitted time, you're advised to submit a mitigating circumstances application and the invigilator should write up an invigilator report.
Please note, that unless specifically stated on your recommendations, you cannot use your rest breaks to visit the toilet.
Toilet Breaks
This means that you can ask the invigilator to 'stop the clock' whilst you visit the toilet, if you need to do so for a disability-related reason.
You will need to let the invigilator know when you wish to take a toilet break - they will not prompt you to take one.
Please note that you can only use these breaks to visit the toilet, and not to take a break for any other reason, unless this is specifically stated in your support plan.
Variable
This means that your exam support may vary - this may be dependent on the type of exam you are taking (e.g. you may need different support in exams with multiple choice answers from the support you need in essay-type exams). Alternatively, it may because your condition varies and you won't know what type of support you need until nearer the time.
If you have variable exam support you will be contacted by the Exams Officer in the DASS before exam main exam period to confirm which exam support you will be receiving for each exam. You will be contacted via your student email address, and please make sure you reply promptly. If you do not, it may mean that we don't have enough time to organise your support.
Stickers:
If you have been recommended stickers, you will need to collect them from the Disability Advisory and Support Service before your exams and put them on your exam answer booklet if you want to use them. Please note that these are only for use in exams and cannot be used on coursework.
Stickers - Asperger's
They state: "Asperger's Student. This label applies to examinations only. Further guidance can be sought from the DASS".
Stickers - HI
They state: "Pre-Lingually Deaf Student - Please make allowances: Errors in written expression may be a direct result of this student's disability".
Stickers - SpLD
They make the marker aware that:"This student has a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia, dyspraxia etc). Please make allowances for spelling, handwriting and written expression when marking this piece of work."
Locations:
Location – Small Group
This means that you will not be in the main exam hall timetabled for exams. You will be in a room with about 5-6 other students.
Location - Do not timetable in main exam room
This means that you will not be in the main exam hall timetabled for exams. Because of the arrangements you have, you will need to be in a different location with other students who also have alternative arrangements.
Location - PC Cluster
This means that you will sit your exams in a computer cluster with other students who are also using computers. There will be answer booklets available should you wish to change to hand writing on the day.
Location - Extra Time Rooms
This means that you will not be in the main exam hall timetabled for exams. You will be in an exam room with other students who receive 25% extra time.
Location - Separate
This means that you will not be in the main exam hall timetabled for exams. You will be in an exam room of your own with only the invigilator accompanying.
