Live Speech and Drama exams

Including: face to face, communication skills delivered online, and written diploma exams

Applications for reasonable adjustments and supporting evidence where applicable (see below), should be submitted to drama-csn@trinitycollege.co.uk 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.

Special needs provision form — Speech & Drama

Supporting evidence

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 drama-csn@trinitycollege.com

*Supporting evidence will be kept on file for 3 years.

Examples of reasonable adjustments for live Speech & Drama exams

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 drama-csn@trinity.com to discuss your needs.

PRACTICAL EXAMS

Extra time for practical exams (general extra time)

Candidates with additional needs may require more time for their exam. This is general extra time, which is added to the total exam time, and will only be used if it is needed on the day.

Some examples of circumstances where general extra time may be needed are:

• Candidates who are likely to need questions to be repeated
• Candidates who need a little longer to process information
• Candidates who may need to take short pauses between items
• Extra time allowances for each grade are as follows:

Extra time for unseen text preparation (LTCL only)

LTCL candidates who require more time to prepare for the impromptu talk task may apply for an extended preparation time. This will usually be up to 4 minutes total preparation time, but may be extended further in exceptional circumstances.

Examiner briefed

Sometimes it is useful for the examiner to be briefed about a candidate’s condition so that they can deliver the exam with awareness of this, even if no specific adjustments are needed.  

When completing the special needs provision form, please include any relevant details to be passed onto the examiner.

Assessment standards and criteria remain the same for all candidates in accordance with Ofqual’s regulated qualifications framework. Please note that additional marks cannot be awarded based on a candidate’s disability or health condition. Please consider whether it is necessary to disclose this information- for example, whether the disability is likely to have an impact on the exam in question. 

Typed up report form

After the exam, candidates with dyslexia, or who use screen reader software, may request a typed-up copy of their report form. To request this, please email drama-csn@trinitycollege.com with a scan of the report form.

WRITTEN EXAMS

Extra time

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 exceptional circumstances.

Evidence of need must be provided to support all requests for extra time. Additional evidence may be requested to demonstrate need if an application is made for more than 25% extra time.

Use of word processor

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.

Please note 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.

Supervised rest breaks

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.

Enlarged/modified written exam paper

Written exam papers can be provided in the following alternative formats:

• Enlarged (printed on A3 paper)
• Coloured paper (also available on A3)
• Braille - British Grade 1, British Grade 2 or UEB (Unified English Braille)

Please note that for modified papers we require at least 6 weeks’ notice. If you have specific requirements, please contact drama-csn@trinitycollege.co.uk.

Scribe/Reader

In certain circumstances, a scribe may be approved for candidates who are not able to write their own answers (by hand or on word processor). A scribe is a responsible adult who writes or types a candidate’s dictated answers to the questions. Candidates must dictate punctuation to be used and spell out any technical terms and names. The person acting as a scribe may also read the questions if required. The use of a scribe must reflect the candidate’s normal way of working.

A Reader may be approved for candidates who are unable to read the question paper themselves (in standard or modified format) due to, eg, a visual impairment or learning difficulty.

The same person may act as a scribe and a reader if required, but both functions must be applied for and approved. The use of a scribe/reader must reflect the candidate’s normal way of working.