Answer exam access arrangements for work based exams

Ask your employer to confirm what evidence they require

Ask your employer or training provider what they will accept as evidence of dyslexia for exam access arrangements. Most will require you to have a diagnostic assessment with a qualified assessor. This is the only way that dyslexia can be formally identified. However, some work-based training may accept an online dyslexia screening test which identifies dyslexic traits, so you should ask whether or not this would be accepted and if they have a preferred screener you should use.

Ask your employer if they can help with the cost of an assessment

A diagnostic assessment will typically cost £700+. You may want to ask your employer if they can fund or part-fund the cost of the assessment. There is no obligation for them to pay, but many organisations do offer this.

Apply early

Make sure you apply early. There is a high demand for assessments, and you may have to wait around 3 months for the assessment. Following the assessment, you should allow up to a month for the report and additional time to make the application for the exam access arrangements. Some training providers may have a deadline for accepting evidence.

Find out about the format of the exam so you can think about the support you might need

When you book the assessment, tell the assessor that you are applying for exam access arrangements and make sure that these are included in the recommendations in the report. It will be helpful if you can think in advance about the exam itself and what extra support would help you so that you can discuss this with the assessor. You might need extra time, or to have the questions read to you, or your might need someone to re-word questions so that you understand what is being asked. You might need more than one arrangement. Not all dyslexic individuals are eligible for extra time, so the assessor will need to be able to evidence your specific needs in the report.