Applications for reasonable adjustment, and supporting evidence where applicable (see below), should be submitted to seltsupport@trinitycollege.com or language.csn@trinitycollege.com when you enrol for the exam. Requests handed to the examiner on the day of the exam will not be accepted. Please note that it can take up to 5 working days (or more in exceptional circumstances for adjustments to be put in place, so please make sure you leave enough time when booking your exam.
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 (ISE only)
No
Use of word processor (ISE only-spelling and grammar functions disabled)
Yes
Supervised rest breaks
Yes
Headphones/speakers
Yes
'ISE Listening Task' - to be read aloud by examiner
Yes
Examiner briefed
No
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.
Candidates do not need to submit an application to wear hearing aids in their exam if no other adjustments are needed. However, they should contact seltsupport@trinitycollege.com with the make and model, and a photograph of the hearing aid in advance of the exam. The hearing aid will also be inspected as part of the security check on arrival at the exam centre.
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.
Some candidates with hearing loss may require headphones or other listening devices to improve the quality of sound, cut out background noise or to be compatible with hearing aids when listening to sounds digitally. Candidates are expected to provide their own equipment and must submit it for inspection if requested. Please note that headphones should be wired, with a standard headphone connection (no Bluetooth).
GESE grades 2 and 3 include some visual prompts. Candidates with visual impairment may ask for the visual element to be removed.
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.
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.
For exams testing English language, all spelling and grammar functions, and access to the internet, will be disabled. Please note that this adjustment may not be available at all centres. Applications for the use of a word processor should be submitted at least 2 weeks before the exam date.
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.
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.
Some candidates with hearing loss may require headphones to improve the quality of sound, cut out background noise or to be compatible with hearing aids when listening to sounds digitally. Candidates or centres are expected to provide their own equipment and must submit it for inspection if requested. Please note that headphones should be wired, with a standard headphone connection (no Bluetooth).
This adjustment is specifically for candidates with hearing loss who need to lipread. The examiner will read out a transcript of the listening task rather than playing a recording, so that the candidate can see their lip patterns.
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.
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