Examination Documentation

Applicants with SEND

Where appropriate, and in agreement with senior schools, applicants with SEND can be given additional time of 25% to complete each test element. Applicants requiring extra time should have extra time requested for them by the parents/guardians as part of their registration in the ISEB Guardian Portal.

Evidence of SEND status

Parents/guardians should check with the senior school what documentation is needed as evidence for this request before registering. It is usually an Educational Psychologist’s report (or other suitably-qualified professional). Some schools require proof that the applicant’s reading speed or cognitive processing is less than average  a standardised score below 89). As different senior schools have different SEND policies, ISEB recommends speaking with the SEND departments of the relevant senior schools. The parent/guardian will need to upload this evidence as part of the registration process in order to request extra time. A senior school will be able to view the applicant’s record and evidence. If the information does not meet their requirements for extra time, they will appeal the request for extra time. This process will be detailed in the ISEB Guidance for Applicants with SEND. Senior schools should take into account the potential impact of any specific needs in their overall assessment of an applicant’s application.

Parents/guardians can still register without this information as they will create an account meaning their child’s record can be amended.

During registration on the Guardian Portal, parents/guardians can include any other adjustments for access arrangements. The Common Pre-Tests have been designed to be accessible to applicants with a range of special educational needs or disabilities. Reasonable adjustments may be applied, the nature of which will depend on the applicant’s specific needs. In individual cases, schools may decide that not all test elements are a suitable form of assessment for a particular applicant.

Test features

There are three features built into the online testing platform, specifically to support applicants with SEND.

1. Applicants will be able to select a coloured overlay to help improve the visibility of the questions, particularly for applicants who face visual discomfort and disturbance when reading.  
2. The font size can be adjusted to suit visually-impaired applicants.  
3. The timer for the test will be visible to all applicants (even those with 25% extra time) and it can be hidden from view if the countdown makes a applicants anxious.

Further information

To support applicants with SEND, the ISEB SEND Guidance has been created for parents/guardians, senior schools and invigilation centres. This document explains in detail how the tests are constructed and how the questions have been designed to reduce the load on working memory to be more inclusive for applicants with SEND. It also contains further guidance on the registration process and where to go for support.

Applicants with English as Additional Language (EAL)

The Common Pre-Tests are accessible to applicants for whom English is an additional language. Reasonable adjustments may be applied, the nature of which will depend on the applicant’s specific needs. For applicants with EAL, this may include the use of a standard bilingual paper dictionary. In individual cases, schools may decide that not all test elements are a suitable form of assessment for an applicant whose first language is not English.

Parents/guardians should include what reasonable adjustments are required for their child when they register for the tests. There is no extra time element for applicants with EAL. A senior school will be able to view the applicants record and evidence. If they have any issues with the reasonable adjustments they will contact the parents/guardians and/or the current school directly.

ISEB Common Pre-Tests SEND Guidance