Specific learner needs

You can find instructions on how to submit a request on the SQA secure site, under NQ then Assessment Arrangements. On this page you will find the EAL spreadsheet. You should complete it for all learners and submit it via email to eal.requests@sqa.org.uk.

You can find further information regarding EAL learners in Use of a bilingual dictionary for English as an Additional Language (EAL) (130 KB).

The dictionaries that are permitted are English-first language (word-for-word) dictionaries that do not contain explanations or definitions of words or phrases. It is your responsibility, before the exam, to check that the dictionaries to be used by learners are clean copies. You must check to ensure that no unauthorised information, such as notes or revision data, have been enclosed within or written on the pages of the dictionary.

A learner can use an electronic dictionary or dictionary app, provided it functions only as an English-first language dictionary - it must be word-for-word and must not contain explanations or definitions of words and phrases. Any functions that are not allowed in an external exam (including personal word lists, and thesaurus and connectivity) must be disabled. The ICT security checklist must be adhered to where a learner is using a dictionary app on a device. A learner can use a copy of the dictionary downloaded from the internet if a hard copy cannot be sourced, provided it functions only as an English-first language dictionary.

Under our Language of Assessment policy, we do not allow the translation of exams into another language. Neither would a learner be able to write in their first language and have this translated into English. Questions in SQA exam question papers are carefully set and worded. SQA could not be sure that the translation of any question was conveyed to the candidate in exactly the same way as it had been written.

Please note that answer books are not available in adapted format. They are only provided in the standard A4 booklet format in white, or in the colour that has been approved for the corresponding question paper.

SQA can provide proportionately enlarged data booklets on A3, but we cannot provide any other adaptations to data booklets. A request from a learner to use a data booklet that has been adapted by the centre may be accepted. The Assessment Arrangements team would need to review and approve the request before it can be used.

We are limited to the adaptations we can make to Ordnance Survey maps due to copyright. They can be enlarged by a further 50%, and can be produced in black and white (greyscale) rather than colour, which may be helpful for learners who are colour-blind. Colour indicating arrows cannot be provided for Ordnance Survey maps for Geography.

Digital question papers (DQPs) are digitised versions of mainstream question papers that can be completed electronically using a PC, laptop, or tablet. These are only for disabled learners or learners with additional support needs who may have reading or writing difficulties. Digital question papers are only produced as PDFs - this is an open standard file format compatible with many software applications, operating systems, and hardware platforms.

Like physical question papers, digital question papers are either in the combined question and answer format or the question-only format. The combined question and answer papers have answer spaces within the file for completion. The question-only papers have an associated digital answer booklet. Digital answer booklets are produced in PDF format and Microsoft Word format. Both formats have answer spaces for completion.

You can find further information on our website.

Digital question papers can only be used by disabled learners and those with additional support needs who have an approved assessment arrangement. Digital question papers may be suitable for learners who have difficulty with reading the physical question paper or with writing their responses on the physical question paper or answer booklet.

No, but a learner can adjust the colour of the paper and text, or use the magnifying tool to enlarge content on their device. They can also use a range of assistive technologies to read and respond to questions.

Please note, we do not offer advice on assistive technologies. Please refer to CALL Scotland who work with us and offer advice on their website.

Yes. You can find these on the Digital Question Paper page of our website.  

Yes. A digital answer booklet (DAB) is produced to accompany a digital question paper when the question paper is a question-only paper. 

Digital answer booklets (DABs) can be downloaded in Word and PDF format. The PDF DABs are available in spellcheck-off and spellcheck-on versions. The spellcheck for Word DABs is set locally. Please refer to ‘Digital Question Papers: Exam Guide for Centres (217 KB)’ for more details on DABs and spellcheck.  

You can find further information on the Digital Question Paper page of our website

Learners using digital question papers may require assistive technology to access their assessments. Those with reading, writing, or spelling difficulties, visual impairments, or physical challenges might prefer using software over a human reader or scribe. Commonly used software includes screen readers, text-to-speech, and speech recognition tools. It’s essential that the software is checked to ensure they function correctly before the external assessment.  

Please note, SQA does not offer advice on assistive technologies, for more information and examples of digital software, visit the CALL Scotland website. 

Structured digital question papers, with question and answer boxes, are only available as PDFs. However, your learner may use a generic Word-format answer booklet which can be downloaded from the Digital Answer Booklets page of our website. If you scroll down on this page, you will see a heading ‘Generic Answer Booklet’ with a downloadable document. This should be compatible with assistive technology such as speech to text software.   

Unstructured digital question papers, with questions only, will be supplied with a PDF and Word answer booklets. Your learner may use the Word format answer booklet, which should be compatible with assistive technology. 

Please note, SQA does not offer advice on assistive technologies, for more information and examples of digital software, visit the CALL Scotland website. 

Yes. Requests for learners who do not have an identified additional support need but need to use ICT in external assessments must be submitted to SQA using the ICT and Transcription spreadsheet. Where a learner has illegible handwriting but does not have appropriate ICT skills, we can allow transcription without correction. You can find instructions on how to submit a request on the SQA secure site, under NQ then Assessment Arrangements 

Please ensure both these requests are submitted through the spreadsheet located in SQA Secure - not the AAR system. 

All software used by learners must comply with our ICT Security Checklist, which outlines the necessary security measures for using ICT in assessments. For more details, please refer to the ICT Security Checklist on our Secure website under NQ > then Assessment Arrangements. 

Digital question papers offer many learners a practical, independent method to access SQA assessments, but writing expressions in maths and science can be a challenge.  

We cannot endorse or recommend a particular company which produces apps and software, advice is available on the CALL Scotland Numeracy webpage.

A learner may find the paper easier to read if presented in another background, or text, colour. You can find detailed steps on the Adapted Digital Exams website.