Hearing difficulties may range from a minor condition (where you may need to take the test in a separate room, or use headphones, for example) to total deafness (where you may need a lip-reading version of a hearing test).

What Special Arrangements you can request

1 For the Listening test:

If you suffer from partial hearing loss and can hear with the help of headphones or special amplification equipment, you may ask for permission to use this type of equipment. Please note that you will not be allowed to use a Walkman®, MP3 Player or similar personal stereo. If you want more help than this, you can ask for a lip-reading version of the Listening test. Please note that this may not be available for some exams. Your supervisor will read the listening texts to you. You will hear each text three times and the supervisor will make sure you have enough time to read the questions and to write your answers.

• the first time, the supervisor will read the text straight through without stopping
• the second time the supervisor will pause while reading the text. This is to give you time to think about the text and questions, and/or write one or more answers
• the third time the supervisor will read the text straight through again so you can check your answers

2. For the Speaking test

• For KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, ILEC, ICFE or BEC, you must normally take the Speaking test with a partner. If you have hearing difficulties, you can apply to:
• have extra time if it takes you longer than usual to say things or to understand what people say to you
• take the test with a partner who is not doing the examination (this may help you to lip-read what he or she is saying more easily)
• take the test without a partner (i.e. in the parts of the test which usually ask both candidates to talk to each other, you talk to the examiner instead) – please note that this option is not available for BEC

Visual difficulties may range from a minor condition to total blindness, and Cambridge ESOL can supply enlarged and modified question papers for less serious difficulties, or brailed and modified question papers where these are required.

What Special Arrangements you can request

1 Extra time

If you have visual difficulties, you will almost certainly need extra time to complete a paper. You may ask for an extra 25%, 50%, or 100% of the normal time allowed for a paper. Remember, however, that too much extra time may make you very tired. You will also be allowed to have breaks whilst taking a paper, in addition to any extra time you need.

2 Reading the question papers in a different way

If you are partially sighted you may use the following equipment: magnifying glass, hand-held scanning apparatus, etc.

3 You may ask for a 'reader'

To read and re-read questions to you.

4 Braille question papers

Braille versions of KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC can normally be made available. Please tell us whether you need your papers in contracted or uncontracted Braille.

5 Writing your answers in a different way

If you wish, you may record your answers in the following ways:

• you may use your Braille machine
• you may use your Braille machine, linked to a printer
• you may use a typewriter or PC
• you may dictate your answers to an amanuensis

6. Enlarged question papers

You can ask for two different kinds of enlarged question paper:

Type 1: We enlarge the standard question paper making no changes to the layout or material. You will receive A3 size question papers. (Usually 15.5 point)

Type 2: We change the question papers, removing 'visual' material which is not essential for answering the question. We then make large-print versions of the papers in A4 size.

(Usually 18 point bold)

7 Listening tests

Many of the questions in the Listening tests ask candidates to make notes while they listen to a recording. If you are blind or have visual difficulties you may not be able to do this. We produce a special version of the Listening test. You will hear the same material and answer the same questions as other candidates. However, the supervisor will:

• stop the tape before each part of the test to allow you enough time to read the questions
• stop the tape at certain points during each part to allow you enough time to write one or more answers
• stop the tape after each part to allow you enough time to check your answers

8 Speaking tests

For KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE, ILEC, ICFE or BEC, you must normally take the Speaking test with a partner. If you have visual difficulties, you can apply to:

• have extra time if it takes you longer than usual to read any exam material or decide what you want to say
• take the test with a partner who is not taking the examination
• take the test without a partner (i.e. in the parts of the test which usually ask both candidates to talk to each other, you talk to the examiner instead) – please note that this option is not available for BEC
• use adapted visual material (see below)

Parts of the Speaking test for some exams are visual – they use pictures taken from newspapers or magazines, for example. If you are partially sighted we can supply enlarged copies of these pictures. If you find it difficult to use enlarged pictures we can supply enlarged print versions of written descriptions of the photographs. Tell us which would be best for you.

We can also supply material in Braille for blind candidates. For example, in the Braille version of the FCE Speaking test:

• the examiner will spend a few minutes asking you to talk about yourself
• you will then be given short written descriptions of two photographs in Braille
• the examiner will ask you to compare and contrast the situations in the descriptions and give your opinion about them. You will have about a minute to do this
• finally you will be asked to take part in various conversational activities using brailed notes or information

9 Having a 'reader' or an amanuensis

A reader is a person who will read the questions out to you. Note that the reader will not explain the questions to you or offer any advice. A reader is not usually allowed to read out the texts in a Reading test.

An amanuensis is a person who will write down your answers. If you would like an amanuensis to write down your answers, you should note that:

• you will be asked to spell certain words
• you must also indicate punctuation

The amanuensis will also read your answers back to you if you wish.

Please contact us if you would like to know more about having a reader or an amanuensis.

We recommend that you practice with a reader/amanuensis before the examination. For example, you should make sure that you can spell out the letters of the alphabet.

Please contact us at least 6 months before the exam in case you need question papers in Braille version.

Please note that it may not always be possible for a Braille version of a particular examination to be prepared.

What Special Arrangements you can request

1 Extra time

If you have dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty, you may need extra time to complete a paper. You may normally apply for an extra 25 %, 50 %, or 100 % of the time allowed for a paper. Remember, however, that too much extra time may make you very tired.

2 Answer sheets

In most Cambridge ESOL papers, candidates are asked to transfer their answers to a computer-marked answer sheet. If this is going to cause you particular problems (for example if you find it difficult to follow the numbers/order of questions on a page), you may be allowed to write your answers on a separate piece of paper, or, if appropriate, directly on the question paper.

If the Special Arrangements described above are not sufficient, for example if you are unable to lip-read, then you can apply for exemption from either the Listening test or the Speaking test in certain exams.

If you pass the examination, you will then get a certificate which is endorsed (i.e. it has the following statement printed on it):

• 'The candidate was exempt from satisfying the full range of assessment objectives in the examination.'

Please contact us at least 3 months before the exam in case you want to apply for this exemption.

• please note that no application can be considered without a certificate from a medical specialist
• the medical certificate should be an original document on headed paper, and bearing the name, relevant qualification and signature of a recognized practitioner and should give a clear statement of the candidate’s disability
• this certificate can not be older than two years
• if you want to apply for Special Arrangements Service, please contact us during the standard registration period or sooner (not during the late or very late registration period)
• please contact us at least 6 months before the exam in case you need question papers in Braille version
• please contact us at least 3 months before the exam in case you want to apply for any exemption
• once you have received permission for the above Special Arrangements, your answers will be marked on the same basis as all other candidates

Cambridge ESOL reserves the right not to approve applications for Special Arrangements.