Specific Exam or Test Accommodations and Concessions

• Additional Time – Additional five, ten or fifteen minutes per hour can be granted to learners.
• A Scribe – A scribe writes verbatim what the learner dictates.  A separate venue is required for this accommodation.  The entire examination session must be recorded and a copy of the recording submitted with the answer booklet.
• A Reader – A reader reads all text in an examination paper to a learner.  The learner may request sections of text to be re-read.  A separate venue is required for this accommodation.  The entire examination session must be recorded and a copy of the recording submitted with the answer booklet. The IEB also allows for electronic readers where the learner can be in the same venue as the rest of the grade with a device that has a recording of the exam and earphones.
•  Prompter – The function of a prompter is to refocus a learner who is easily distracted.  This may be done using a verbal or physical cue. A separate venue could be used for this accommodation.  The prompter may not interfere with the learner’s answers to the examination.
• Spelling – A spelling accommodation is awarded when there is a significant discrepancy between the chronological age and spelling age of the learner and the learner’s ability to express thoughts adequately and legibly.  A spelling sticker is placed on each of a learner’s answer booklets.  The marker must ignore the spelling as long as what is written is phonetically correct. Please note that in the languages papers where textual editing is examined and spelling is part of the content knowledge, spelling will still count.
• Handwriting – A handwriting accommodation means that a sticker is placed on each of a learner’s answer booklets.  This indicates to the marker that untidy writing must be accommodated.
• Braille – When the learner has been educated using Braille, examination papers can be offered in Braille.
• Enlarged Print – Enlarged print can be requested to make an examination paper more accessible to a learner who has a vision problem.
• A Computer – A learner may use a computer to present his/her answers in a typed format.  Access to a printer is essential.  A separate venue could be required for this accommodation.
• Medication/Food Intake – Learners may require an opportunity to take medication during an examination and/or have access to food and beverages used to maintain sugar levels and treat low blood sugars.  Rest breaks should also be applied for in conjunction with this accommodation.  A separate venue is usually required when this accommodation is granted.
• Practical Assistant – A practical assistant accommodates a learner’s specific needs to ensure he/she is able to complete an examination.  For example, a learner in a wheelchair may require a practical assistant during a practical examination and a colour blind candidate may require a practical assistant in Geography Paper II.  The appropriate assistance must be provided without the practical assistant engaging in conversation with the candidate.  A separate venue is required for this accommodation.
• Rest Breaks – A rest break is a period of time when the learner is not required to be at his/her desk but must remain in the examination venue.  Rest break time does not count as extra writing time.  The rest break time used will be added to the examination session.  A separate venue could be required for this accommodation.
• Separate Venue – A separate venue is a quiet environment away from the main examination center.  The use of a separate venue is either to assist an individual learner or to prevent possible disturbance to others.
• Special Equipment – The GDE/ IEB must be notified of any specific equipment required. In circumstances where the use of specific equipment may distract others a separate venue may be requested.