Student
Using an Amanuensis (scribe) and/or Reader in
Exams
Your need for an amanuensis and/or reader for written exams should be established
with Disability Services as far in advance of the examination period as possible (and no
later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the examination period). If approved by
Registry, the Examinations Officer will inform you in writing of the individual
arrangements for your exams. The exam will take place in a separate room, and
wherever possible it will be held at the same time as the main exam.
We advise that students and their amanuensis/reader meet outside the
examination room twenty minutes before the start of the exam to discuss some of
the finer details (see page 2 below). If you are used to working with an
amanuensis/reader then this discussion will probably not take long. If you have not
worked with an amanuensis/reader before or if you are in any way uncertain of what it
will be like to take an exam in this way, you can discuss this with Disability Services,
who may be able to arrange a practice session, should you wish.
There are certain rules that govern the roles of an amanuensis and reader in exams. It is
important that you read these carefully.
An amanuensis and reader:
X Must neither give factual help to the candidate nor offer any suggestions
X Must not advise the candidate regarding which questions to do, when to move on to
the next question, or the order in which the questions should be done
√ May at the candidate’s request give factual information about the time
An amanuensis:
√ Must write down answers exactly as they are dictated
√ Must draw maps, diagrams and graphs strictly in accordance with the candidate’s
instructions
√ Must amend answers at the candidates request
√ May at the candidate’s request read back what has been written
X May not write during rest breaks (if applicable)
A reader:
X Must only read the question as written, DO NOT rephrase
X Must not write anything down for the student
X Must not help with spellings
√ May at the candidate’s request read back what has been written
Student
Before the exam – Checklist of Points to Discuss
You will probably want to discuss with your amanuensis/reader some of the point below
(depending on the support you are receiving):
1. Do you want the amanuensis to act as reader as well as scribe? Do you want them
to read back what they have written or will you do this yourself?
If you are going to do this yourself - can you read the exam script and their
handwriting?
2. How are notes on the questions and essay plans to be made? Will you do these
yourself or do you want your amanuensis to scribe this? For example some students
may wish to plan essays with a mind map before they start.
3. What about punctuation? Do you want to dictate every punctuation mark or give
only the main breaks and leave the rest to your amanuensis?
Remember that you can ask your amanuensis to correct, cross out or add
punctuation at any stage.
4. Spelling - is your amanuensis familiar with the spelling of the specialist vocabulary,
names of authors and so on that you’ll need to use? If not, then you will have to
dictate correct spellings to your amanuensis in the exam.
5. Is the reader familiar with how to pronounce specialist vocabulary?
6. What should your amanuensis do if they’re not sure of a word while you’re in
mid flow? Do you want them to stop you and ask you to repeat it or wait until later?
7. If you are blind or partially sighted do you wish to be reminded of the time?
Remember that your amanuensis cannot suggest that it’s time you moved onto
another question, but they can tell you at prearranged intervals. Of course you can
ask them the time at any point.
8. If you have to draw diagrams check with your amanuensis that you can
communicate what you want to do clearly. If you are blind or partially sighted and
diagrams are an important part of the exam this issue should be discussed with
Disability Services and your Programme Convener well in advance of the exam.
9. If you have to make mathematical calculations and need to show your working out
you should check with your amanuensis whether you wish to:
o Write down the calculations, numbers and working out yourself. The amanuensis
is to then continue scribing for the non-Mathematical parts of the examination
paper.
o Or establish that you can communicate this mathematical information clearly to
your amanuensis.