Examination access arrangements
Do you need access arrangements for your exams?
You need to contact the Health and Wellbeing team to ensure this support is in place.
There is a 6 week deadline for arrangements before the main exam periods.
Do you already receive support from the Health and Wellbeing team?
If you already receive support for a disability, your arrangements will be included in your Learning and Teaching Support Agreement (LTSA) so you don’t have to contact us for each set of exams. This arrangement stays in place for the duration of your study unless your needs change.
Who organises the exam access arrangements?
- The Exams team organise the access arrangements for formal exams based on the information provided by the Health & Wellbeing Team. Your unit tutors put in place arrangements for in-class tests. They will use the information on your LTSA to implement your arrangements.
Please contact the Health and Wellbeing Team if you need advice at [email protected]
Below are some examples of reasonable adjustments that may be applied during examinations.
Please note that these are dependent on an individual student’s assessed needs, and such adjustments cannot be guaranteed for every learner.
| Reasonable adjustment | The importance of the adjustment |
| Additional time in all examinations | Additional time may be required if a student needs longer to read, write, or process information. The Learning and Teaching Support Agreement (LTSA) will specify the amount of extra time permitted (for example, 25% additional time). |
| Stop clock rest break | Certain students may require additional concentration and effort during examinations, and as such may benefit from scheduled rest breaks. The invigilator must pause the timing of the examination and permit the break duration specified in the LTSA (for example, up to five or ten minutes). Please note that these rest breaks should be provided in addition to any extra time allowances. |
| Use of PC | Some students may experience difficulties with fine motor skills or with the speed at which they can handwrite. In such cases, access to a computer will be required. |
| Invigilator prompts | Invigilator prompts are provided for students who may require reminders to remain focused, progress to the next question, or follow instructions. These prompts may be verbal or non-verbal (for example, a light tap) and are agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment for certain candidates. If a student’s LTSA includes such prompts, it is essential that they discuss them well ahead of the examination to ensure they are tailored to the student’s needs. |
| Alternative assessment | If a student has an alternative assessment specified on their LTSA, it is important that they communicate their preferred method of assessment to the tutor. For example, a student who is unable to deliver a presentation to the class may request to submit a pre‑recorded presentation instead. |
| Access to fluids and medication | Some students may have medical conditions that require them to remain hydrated or to take medication at specific times. It is important that these arrangements are discussed prior to the examination. |
| Individual/ smaller room | A student may be unable to sit an examination in a larger venue with many other candidates for a variety of reasons. |
| Reader | A reader provides support by reading an examination paper or a candidate’s answers aloud upon request, serving as a communication aid for students who require assistance with reading. The reader is a supervised, impartial individual who must read all text verbatim, including the candidate’s responses, without interpretation or additional assistance. Readers are not permitted to explain questions, offer guidance on content, or advise on time management. |
| Scribe | A scribe in an examination is an individual who transcribes a student’s dictated responses, serving as a writer for candidates who are unable to write independently. |
If you have any questions about one of your adjustments or if you would like to discuss a new adjustment please contact your Health and Wellbeing advisor or [email protected]
address
Luton campus & other campuses
Level 2, Campus Centre
Luton campus
LU1 3JU
telephone
Student Information Desk (SiD)
0300 300 0042
Our phone lines are open:
- Monday - Friday
9:00 – 17:00