Special arrangements

The British Council aims to ensure that every candidate is treated fairly and objectively and that they are given optimum conditions to take their exams. We can make arrangements to accommodate special circumstances or requirements to enable test takers to attend a test centre, to understand questions and to give their exam answers.

If you require special arrangements to undertake your exam, please follow the instructions for each exam below. The special arrangements available depend on the examination board and in some cases you may be exempt from a part of an examination because of a disability or difficulty. Please note, no documents regarding special arrangements will be accepted after registration has closed.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE PROVIDED FOR IELTS

Test centres require three months’ notice to put special arrangements in place. They need to confirm arrangements with Cambridge English Language Assessment, and modified versions of the test may need to be prepared (for example, in Braille). In Germany candidates with special needs can choose to take the test only in Berlin or Cologne. 

Your application must be supported by medical evidence, which should meet the following criteria:

  • be legible and either in English or German
  • be an original document on headed paper and bearing the name, relevant qualification(s) and signature of a recognised practitioner
  • give a clear statement of the candidate’s disability
  • make it clear how the disability justifies special arrangements.

A further criterion applies for candidates with specific learning difficulties (for example dyslexia):

  • the medical evidence must be in the form of a report written by a fully qualified psychologist (educational, clinical or chartered) when the candidate was aged 13 or older.

What type of support can I get?If you have hearing or visual impairments, you may be eligible for modified exam materials, including:

  • Braille papers (Grade 1/un-contracted or Grade 2/contracted)
  • large print: either A4 size (18pt bold font) or A3 size (15.5pt font)
  • listening materials: special needs CD or lip-reading test
  • speaking materials: Braille or large print written prompt or large print visual prompt.

If you have dyslexia or physical difficulty you may be able to request special administrative arrangements, including: 

  • extra time: 25-100 per cent extra time depending on your need
  • supervised breaks during the examination
  • use of a computer
  • an amanuensis (a person who will write down your answers)
  • a reader
  • a scribe/copier (verbatim transcript)
  • separate invigilation
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