Applications for reasonable adjustments and supporting evidence where applicable (see below) should be submitted to language.csn@trinitycollege.com or to your local Trinity representative at least 28 days before the exam date. Requests for modified exam materials such as Braille require at least six weeks’ notice. Requests handed to the examiner on the day of the exam will not be accepted.
A new special needs provision form must be submitted for every exam, even if reasonable adjustments have been applied previously.
Download the special needs provision form (English language)
We require evidence of need for any adjustments which could potentially give an unfair advantage to candidates, or which alter content of the exam. Please refer to the table below to see whether supporting evidence is required for each adjustment.
Evidence should be from a qualified medical or educational professional and should demonstrate how the candidate’s condition may affect access to the exam in question. Trinity reserves the right to reject requests for adjustments if insufficient information is provided.
If you are not sure whether your evidence is suitable, please contact language.csn@trinitycollege.com
Adjustment
Supporting evidence required? *
Extra time
Yes
Enlarged/modified exam paper
No
Braille exam paper
No
Use of word processor (spelling and grammar functions disabled)
Yes
Supervised rest breaks
Yes
Examiner briefed (Speaking & Listening only)
No
Other
Please contact language.csn@trinitycollege.com
See below for details of some of the adjustments available for candidates with special needs and disabilities. This information is not exhaustive, and we aim to respond to candidates’ individual needs where possible. For requirements not listed please contact language.csn@trinitycollege.com to discuss your needs.
READING AND WRITING EXAMS
Candidates with special needs, disabilities and health conditions may request extra time to complete their exam; the amount of extra time available to candidates who qualify is usually up to 25%, although up to 100% may be requested in certain circumstances.
Evidence of need must be provided to support all requests for extra time. Additional evidence may be requested if an application is made for more than 25% extra time.
Candidates who are unable to write by hand due to a physical disability, or a learning difficulty affecting (for example) the ability to structure work or hand-write legibly, may apply to use a word processor for their exams (where exams would usually be paper based).
Please note that for exams testing English language, all spelling and grammar functions must be disabled, and access to networks and files restricted. Centres are responsible for supplying and setting up the computer and may be asked submit equipment for inspection. The use of a word processor must reflect the candidate’s normal way of working.
Rest breaks may be used where a candidate does not require any extra time to complete the exam itself but may need a ‘time out’. If a rest break is required, the timing of the examination is paused and re-started when the candidate is ready to continue. During the supervised rest break the candidate must not have access to the question paper/answer booklet and must be accompanied by an examiner if they need to leave the exam room (exam conditions are maintained). Please indicate an estimated quantity and duration of breaks needed on the application form.
Written exam papers can be provided in the following alternative formats:
Please note that for modified papers we require at least 6 weeks’ notice. If you have specific requirements, please contact language.csn@trinitycollege.com.
SPEAKING AND LISTENING EXAMS
Candidates may request extra time to complete their exam; the amount of extra time available to candidates who qualify is usually up to 25%, although up to 100% may be requested in certain circumstances. Evidence of need must be provided to support all requests for extra time. Additional evidence may be requested if an application is made for more than 25% extra time.
NB Extra time applies to the 1:1 section of the exam only.
Sometimes it is useful for the examiner to be briefed about a candidate’s condition so that they can be sensitive in the way they deliver the exam, even if no specific adjustments are needed.
When completing the special needs provision form, please include all relevant details to be passed onto the examiner. Please note that assessment standards and criteria remain the same for all candidates, and that additional marks cannot be awarded based on a candidate’s disability or health condition.
At entry levels 1- 3, and at Level 1, exams include visual prompts. The exam can be adapted to remove visual elements for candidates with visual impairments.
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