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Special Circumstance Arrangements

Test Centres make every effort to cater to the special needs of any disabled candidate, to enable them to best understand questions and tasks and give their answers. It is our aim for the language level of all candidates, irrespective of disability, to be assessed fairly and objectively.

Candidates with requests concerning special needs should give twelve weeks' notice of their requirement for these arrangements to allow Centres time to check medical evidence where appropriate, and to organize practical matters.

Medical Evidence:

All applications should be supported by medical evidence, which should meet the following criteria:

  • The medical evidence should be accessible to the IELTS Administrator in terms of language and legibility.
  • The medical evidence should be an original document on headed paper, and bearing the name, relevant qualification(s) and signature of a recognized practitioner.
  • The medical evidence should give a clear statement of the candidate's disability.
  • The medical evidence should make it clear how the disability justifies Special Arrangements.

Additional criteria apply in the case of applications for Special Arrangements for candidates with specific learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia):

  1. The medical evidence must be in the form of a report prepared in a period no more than two years prior to the date of the examination.
  2. The report must include details of the degree of disability.
  3. The report must include an assurance that the evidence of specific difficulties was obtained through the results of appropriate and recognized tests.
  4. The report must be provided by a fully qualified educational, clinical or chartered psychologist.

The above documentation must accompany the IELTS Application.