Exam adjustments
Birkbeck recognises that exams may present particular challenges for students with disabilities, mental health issues, or other ongoing conditions. To facilitate your success, the following support is available.
NB: All changes for exams must be agreed by specified deadlines. It may not be possible to implement requests made after these dates.
Study aids and Computer Use
All students are permitted to bring in items which help them to be comfortable during exams. These include: wrist rests, footrests, small handheld fans, writing slopes and cushions. You do not need to ask for permission to bring these items, but you should bear in mind that the College cannot provide them so you will need to supply your own.
There are other study aids which you will need to have permission to use. These include:
- Earplugs (n.b. these cannot have any the capacity to be connected to an external device)
- Orthopaedic Chair
- Height adjustable desk
- Reading pen (this must comply with regulations)
- University laptop
- Specific assistive technology e.g. ClaroRead
- Use of a human scribe (sometimes known as an amanuensis) to write answers
You must make sure that these items are listed on your Study Support Plan and you must check that they have been agreed by the relevant deadline for your exam.
Additional Time and Rest Breaks
You can be given additional time, ranging from 15 minutes per hour upwards to accommodate any medical or disability needs.
You can also request additional time to be included for rest breaks or toilet breaks where medically required.
You must make sure that these items are listed on your Study Support Plan and you must check that they have been agreed by the relevant deadline for your exam.
Changes to format of exam papers
Exam papers can be enlarged, made available digitally, or printed on paper other than white.
You must make sure that these items are listed on your Study Support Plan and you must check that they have been agreed by the relevant deadline for your exam.
Medication and Medical Equipment
If you have a medical condition for which you need regular medication, you can bring this into the exam room.
If you need to monitor your health using other equipment e.g. a smartphone to monitor glucose levels if you are diabetic, you will need to have permission for this. The invigilator will ensure that the equipment is placed in an agreed location.
You must make sure that these items are listed on your Study Support Plan and you must check that they have been agreed by the relevant deadline for your exam.
Venue and Location in Exam Room
Some students will benefit from taking exams in a smaller room or being located in a specific place to enhance their concentration.
You must make sure that these items are listed on your Study Support Plan and you must check that they have been agreed by the relevant deadline for your exam.
Alternative Assessment or Remote Assessment
Students may wish to request an alternative assessment to a formal exam, or to take a formal exam online in remote conditions. These requests will be considered by the School and by the Exams Office, but will only be agreed where there is a justifiable reason for them. You should not assume that this will be possible.
Requests for alternative or remote assessment will always be declined where there is a link to external accreditation or to an identified professional or academic competence that mean that an alternative form of assessment is not possible.
You should discuss your request for this in good time, at least one term before your first exam, with your Personal Tutor, who will be able to seek advice on whether this is possible.
If it is agreed, you should make sure that these items are listed on your Study Support Plan.