If you have specific learning difficulties, like dyslexia, we may be able to help you take your IELTS.
What do I need to do?
It may take six weeks for some special arrangements to be made for you, so you should make your application as soon as possible through your IELTS test center.
What will the IELTS test center do?
Your center will:
If your center does not have the equipment or space you need (e.g. a separate room), they will try to help you to find another center that does.
Your center may also ask you to provide a medical certificate.
What medical evidence must I have?
You must give the center a report about your learning difficulty:
If you do not have (or cannot get) a report like this, talk to your IELTS test center.
What special arrangements can I ask for?
There are lots of different options – choose what you need from the list below. You can then ask your center to make the arrangements you need.
Once you have received permission for any special arrangements mentioned below, your answers will be marked in the same way as all other test takers. For example, if you make a spelling or grammar mistake, you may lose marks.
1. Extra time
2. Supervised breaks
As well as (or instead of) extra time, you can ask for supervised breaks. This means you can stop writing and take a break alone in another room. This might help if you have difficulty concentrating for long periods. You will be supervised while you take your break.
3. Writing your answers using a computer
5. Having a copier (or transcriber)
If your handwriting is very difficult to read, you may ask your center to copy (make a transcript of) your work. This means that, at the end of the test, you will read out your answers to the copier, including all the punctuation. The copier will write down an exact copy of your answers, including any mistakes in grammar, spelling or punctuation.
6. Help filling in your answer sheets
In the IELTS listening and reading tests, you have to copy (transfer) your answers to an answer sheet which is then scanned by a computer. If you find it difficult to follow the numbers or order of questions on a page, you may be allowed to write your answers on a separate piece of paper or, sometimes, directly on to the question paper. Ask your center for advice prior to the test date.
7. Transparent colored overlays
You may ask for permission to use transparent colored overlays if you normally use them. You must notify your test center at least six weeks prior to the test.
8. You may apply for enlarged print copies of an exam paper
Enlarged print papers are also called ‘Modified Large Print’ papers. The question paper is modified, and anything which is not needed for answering the question – for example, frames around texts – is removed. All the words in these papers are in the same print size. They look like this:
Each page in these papers is A4 size.
9. Other equipment
Ask your IELTS test center if you want to use any other type of equipment, for example, a screen magnifier.