Other areas
Part 4: Specified measures Back
4.51 We recognise that there may be other reasonable adjustments that stakeholders and the public believe should not be made in relation to general qualifications. If you would like to suggest other specifications under section 96, please tell us.
< Oral language modifiers – Proposals Transitional arrangements >
The current format of Modern Foreign Language GCSE listening exams puts candidates who have a print disability – and thus rely upon a scribe – at a very unfair disadvantage to their non-disabled peers: such a candidate must verbally interact with the scribe whilst the recording is playing i.e. they cannot give their full attention to the recording. The time delay caused through communicating with the scribe and the subsequent need to check a correct answer has been marked down is problematical in terms of the impact on listening, concentration and time. When more than one piece of information must be noted during a single excerpt/dialogue or when it is necessary to write a phrase, sentence or more extended response it is almost impossible for the candidate to properly demonstrate their true listening skills and they are unable to listen whilst dictating. In the very least the pause between recorded excerpts should reflect the amount of extra time the candidate has been awarded. Also, an ‘interactive’ on-screen paper would be far more accessible for those candidates reliant upon ICT where tick box, lettered or numbered answers are concerned. In terms of the access issues for responses requiring a phrase, sentence or more extended answer to be noted during the course of a lengthy dialogue – ideally there should be pauses during the recording that will enable the candidate to communicate each response to the scribe before the recording recommences.Finally, non-disabled candidates are far more likely to have time to read questions through before the relevant recording starts; consequently they have opportunity to consider and anticipate vocabulary, grammar and other linguistic concepts that can help them prepare or even pre-empt the answer – few candidates with a print disability will have that opportunity.
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I am a visually impaired student. i have found that in my German Listening GCSE Exam the paper was not modified to a suitable standard for me to access the paper with my visual difficulties. there is only a choice of two papers. i had the original paper enlarged, but this paper was printed on purple paper which made the print unclear and therefore i struggled to read it. the only other option that you offer is the N18 Modified enlarged. However, this paper is also not suitable for all candidates as it is too big and the contrast is not suitablee for lengthy exams as it is a too strong contrast which is tirering.
also, the A3 enlarged should be on A4 paper as it is difficult to manage A3 on the school exam surface even when you have two tables.
the exams papers are bound in an unsuitable fashoin. often, they are stapled or bound with treasury tags which make it difficult to turn the pages. it would be better if the exam papers were spiral bound like the SATS Exam papers.
i believe that each exam paper should be individually tailered to meet the needs of the individual. at least there should be a greater choice of formats for the candidate to access.
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