A student support worker may act as a reader in examinations.

As a reader you can read instructions and exam questions as many times as requested. Read slowly and clearly. You can also read back exactly what the student has written as many times as required.

You must not help the student in any way with the content of their answers or with any explainations.

You may also be asked to act as a scribe (also known as an amanuenis).

The scribe should produce a clear, accurate and legible script by writing down exactly what the student dictates. The scribe/amanuensis should not re-word, identify or correct mistakes or re-structure what is being dictated in any way.

 

Guidelines for exam scribing/reading

 

I. General Guidelines

- It is recommended for the student to have a practice session with the scribe/amanuensis prior to the exam.

- It is recommended that the scribe/amanuensis has reasonable knowledge of the subject area.

- The scribe/amanuensis should be provided with pens, paper, PC if relevant and any specialist equipment by the Exam Office, the Department or the student.

- The scribe/amanuensis and student should use an individual room for the exam with an invigilator.

- The student must be able to see the script or computer monitor throughout the duration of the exam.

- In the case of a student with a visual impairment the scribe/amanuensis should verbally describe any diagrams, read the script aloud and notify the student of the remaining time.

- Where possible the same scribe/reader should be provided for all exams.

 

II. Guidelines for students

- The student must speak clearly and slowly for the scribe/amanuensis to be able to write/type at a comfortable pace.

- The pace of dictation and writing should be discussed and agreed in advance.

- It is the student’s responsibility to describe diagrams in detail, dictate responses clearly, ask the scribe to read what has been written down, indicate punctuation, headings and paragraphing, direct the scribe about the format of presentation of the material, clarify spellings, symbol and terminology.

- The student must not ask the scribe/amanuensis for any guidance or comment on the content and format of the material written down.

- It is the student’s responsibility to manage their exam time.

- It is the student’s responsibility to make sure their name and appropriate details are on the exam script.

 

III. Guidelines for reader/scribes

- Your duties may involve being a scribe or reader or both and you will be advised by the University before working with a student.

- The reader/scribe should arrive 15 minutes in advance of the exam start time.

- The reader/scribe can read instructions/exam questions as many times as required.

- Readers can read back exactly what the student has written as many times as required.

- The reader/scribe should read back exactly what the student dictates.

- The scribe should produce a clear, accurate and legible script by writing down exactly what the student dictates.

- The scribe should not re-word, identify or correct mistakes, re-structure what is being dictated in any way.

- The scribe should follow the instructions of the student without any of their own input.

- The scribe should not prompt the student, or give any information that might influence the student's response to the exam question.

- The scribe can ask the student for clarification on spelling, symbols, terminology or technical terms.

- The scribe should agree with the student when clarification will be sought of any spellings or technical terms; if the student finds interruption disruptive, the scribe must wait for a natural pause in the dictation to ask for clarifications.

- When both the student and scribe are uncertain of the spelling of technical terms or other words, the scribe must highlight that and annotate it on the script.

- It is recommended that if the scribe is right handed they should be sitting to the right of the student to ensure the student can see the script/monitor at all times. If the scribe is left-handed they should be sat to the left of the student.

- In most cases, scribes/readers are not expected to be also invigilating the exam. Separate invigilation arrangements will be made by Departments or the Exam Office.

- It is the student’s responsibility to provide stationary, however the scribe should take spare pens, pencils etc.

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