Assessment arrangements

SQA can also provide adapted versions of coursework assessment tasks for Administration and IT and Accounting on request. These requests must be submitted to Assessment Arrangements. Please do not request these adaptions through the AAR system.

Exam question papers can be modified if there is colour content. See guidance for this in the following resource: Additional Guidance for Requesting Adapted Question Papers and Artwork through AAR (2.59 MB).

You can find this information in the following resource: Additional Guidance for Requesting Adapted Question Papers and Artwork through AAR (2.59 MB).

If candidates have a problem in Maths such as dyscalculia, sequencing problems, visual problems, short term, and long-term memory problems and if using calculator enables these candidates to bypass their difficulties, then the use of a basic non-scientific calculator in the non-calculator maths paper would be allowed.

Further information on the use of digital question papers can be located on page 14 of the Assessment Arrangement Explained (405 KB) document.

The amount of extra time required may vary according to the candidate’s individual needs. There must be appropriate evidence indicating the impact of the candidate’s disability on their ability to complete tasks in a specified time and that a specific amount of extra time is appropriate.

If a candidate is identified as requiring extra time in an internal assessment, you only need to seek approval from SQA for any assessments where the performance of a task in a specified time is an actual assessment requirement.

As long as your centre has evidence to support the need, a practical helper could be requested for health and safety reasons - the helper would be able to fetch, carry and hold steady equipment at the explicit instructions of the candidate. Further information and guidance can be located in the Assessment Arrangement Explained (405 KB) document.

Yes, a member of staff may act as a prompter to keep the candidate’s attention on task. The member of staff must not communicate with the candidate in relation to the production of any exam work. No advice must be given regarding which questions to answer, in which order the questions should be answered etc. The member of staff must not be the class teacher in the subject concerned or a relative who has a vested interest in the success of the candidate.

The reader cannot be the class teacher in the subject concerned or a relative who has a vested interest in the success of the candidate. Also, there should not be any conversation between the candidate and the reader.

Rest periods and supervised breaks are permitted during a timed assessment. The time taken for the break does not count towards the time allowed for the assessment concerned. It is the centre's responsibility to supervise the candidate if they are out of the room. This is not the invigilator’s responsibility.

Yes, as long as no other assessment arrangements are in place that may cause a distraction, for example, a reader, scribe or prompter. However, having a small number of candidates using ICT or who just need that separate accommodation is acceptable.

Yes, if your candidate has a significant spelling difficulty, the use of ICT with or without spellchecker can be requested through the AAR system.

Yes, speech recognition software can be used in examinations and assessments (including National 3 and 4 Literacy units and National courses in English). However, it is not allowed in the assessment of writing in Modern Languages and Gaelic (Learners).

You can find exam support forms at https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/8421.html.

For internal assessments, you do not need to seek approval from SQA to produce adapted assessment material in your centre, provided the adaptations made do not change the assessment standards or competence standards. If you are concerned that a particular adaptation may have changed the assessment standards, please contact our Assessment Arrangements Team for advice. It is essential to involve subject teachers, as they will know the extra demands that will be made of the candidate.

Any assessment arrangements required for disabled candidates in practical performance components such as Music, Dance, Drama and Modern Language Performance: Talking assessments must be agreed in advance with us. You should refer to the Key Dates section in Delivering National Qualifications: Guide for SQA Co-ordinators (available on SQA Connect) for the deadlines by which you must submit assessment arrangement requests. You must contact the Assessment Arrangements Team with details of the candidate and the assessment arrangement required for consideration as soon as possible.

Exam stress is normal so, for this to be considered as an Assessment Arrangement, there has to be something over and above this. For example, what support does the the learner currently get for their anxiety? Are you aware of ongoing support such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)? Is there anything that can be done to help alleviate their anxiety? Perhaps the learner may benefit from small group accommodation?

If you have a query about a particular assessment arrangement, please contact the Assessment Arrangements Team on 0345 213 6890 or by using our enquiry form.

For assessment arrangements, we use a needs-led model; this means that no formal diagnosis is required.