Learning difficulties Newzealand

Special arrangements

You can reach out to your test centre to find out how they can make special arrangements for your IELTS test.

Learning difficulties

How should I apply for the IELTS test if I have special requirements?

If you have special requirements, you must book your IELTS test as soon as possible through your nearest IELTS test centre. It may take up to 6 weeks for the test centre to make special arrangements for you.

How will the test centre help me?

Your test centre will:

Confirm the application deadline

Get full information on your disability including a medical certificate

Make necessary arrangements for you to take the test. If your test centre is unable to facilitate your request, they will help you find the nearest test centre that can.

What medical evidence must I provide for my learning difficulties?

You must provide the test centre with a report about your learning difficulty that is:

Written when you were aged 12 or older

With full details of your learning difficulty and tests which have been carried out

Written by a fully qualified psychologist (educational, clinical or chartered).

If you do not have or cannot get a report like this, talk to your IELTS test centre.

Can I request for extra time?

Yes. If you have special requirements, you can ask for an extra 25% of the normal time to complete the test. You can also request for more time or request for breaks depending on your medical condition. Your test centre will help you with this request.

Writing your answers using a computer

You can ask your test centre for permission to use a computer or word processor to write your answers. However, you cannot use the spellcheck, grammar check, thesaurus or other similar functions when using a computer or word processor.
You must also note that:

Your centre may not have equipment, such as a computer, that you can use. However, you may be able to use your own equipment. You must notify your test centre at least 6 weeks prior to the test.

You will have to sit alone in a separate room.

You must write your own answers and cannot read out your answers to someone who writes them down for you.

You cannot use voice recognition software (programs which turn speech into text).

If your test centre is unable to facilitate your request, they will help you find the nearest test centre that can.

Will I get help to read the question papers?

You must read the question papers yourself. You will not be allowed to:

Have someone read them to you (a reader)

Use a computer with screen-reading software.

Can I ask for a copier or transcriber for my IELTS test?

If your handwriting is very difficult to read, you may ask your centre to copy (make a transcript of) your work. This means that, at the end of the test, you will read out your answers to the copier, including all the punctuation. The copier will write down an exact copy of your answers, including any mistakes in grammar, spelling or punctuation.

Filling in answer sheets

In the IELTS Listening and Reading tests, you have to copy (transfer) your answers to an answer sheet which is then scanned by a computer. If you find it difficult to follow the numbers or order of questions on a page, you may be allowed to write your answers on a separate piece of paper or, sometimes, directly on to the question paper. Ask your test centre for advice prior to the test date.

Can I use transparent coloured overlays?

You may have to ask your test centre permission to use transparent overlays. You must notify your test centre at least 6 weeks prior to the test.

Enlarged print question papers

You can ask your test centre for enlarged print question papers for your IELTS test. This will be available in an enlarged font (usually 18 point bold) and we will remove any visual material that is not needed for answering the question.