
SQA Assessment Arrangements for National Literacy Units
If you’re sitting SQA exams and you have dyslexia, you can request Assessment Arrangements to help you manage your National Literacy Units.
What you can’t request
Readers and scribes cannot be used in the National Literacy Units in English and Gàidhlig at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels 3, 4 and 5 where reading and writing skills are being explicitly assessed.
You can’t request exemption from demonstrating any of the four assessed skills of reading, writing, listening or talking. The Literary Units focus on reading and writing with technical accuracy as well as listening and talking, so you need to demonstrate these skills as independently as possible. A human reader and scribe can be used in all other assessments, though.
What other supports are available?
This table show what support is acceptable in the Literacy units. Using any of these support measures must be because you have an identified additional support need and because it is your normal way of working.
Reading | Writing |
Extra time | Extra time |
Dictionaries | Dictionaries |
Adapted text, including Braille, large print, colour, font size, font style | Adapted text, including Braille, large print, colour, font size, font style |
Screen reader | Word processor with spellcheck |
Word processor | Transcription without correction |
Practical Assistant | Practical assistant |
Prompter | Prompter |
Scribe | Scribe |
Talking | Listening |
Extra time | Extra time |
Prompter | Prompter |
Use of British Sign Language | Use of British Sign Language |
Assistive Technology | Assistive technology |
Practical Assistant | Practical assistant |
Reader | Lip reader |
Scribe | Reader |
Scribe |
Can you use a Reader and Scribe in English and/or Gàidhlig?
Yes, however this has to be your normal way of working and your centre has to have evidence of your need for this arrangement. You are not allowed to use a reader and scribe for the literacy component of the qualification.
Read more about the specifications on reasonable adjustments in National Qualifications in Scotland on the SQA website.