Disability adjustments for the test

Parents can request reasonable adjustments for the test when applying. Reasonable adjustments are practical arrangements designed to support students to make a fair attempt to show their ability under test conditions, in accordance with the National Disability Standards for Education 2005.

Information about disability

On the application form, parents should disclose information about a child’s disability, including a medical or behavioural condition that could affect his or her safety or performance during the test, or that might require a life-saving response such as medication. Parents can also request reasonable adjustments for the test.

Requesting reasonable adjustments

If you believe your child requires adjustments for the test you should explain your child’s needs in detail in the application (such as exact font size if requesting large print) and upload supporting medical evidence and other relevant documents.

The Selective Education Unit may contact you and/or the school to confirm the adjustments the student has at school. In many cases, if the requested adjustments are already provided at school, the Unit can arrange for these in the test without supporting documentation.

The Unit will try to assist in unforeseeable emergency situations such as where a student may suffer a broken arm just before the test. However, some adjustments for existing conditions, such as large print, cannot be modified or added to after 16 November 2022. Adjustments requested after the applications close cannot be guaranteed.

Examples of reasonable adjustments

Examples of reasonable adjustments could include, but are not limited to, large print or coloured test papers, wheelchair access, medical equipment, specific seating and taking medication/s into the test room.

You do not need to make arrangements for your child to bring glasses or asthma medication. These are automatically allowed.

A person trained in anaphylaxis response will be present at each test centre. Parents of students with anaphylaxis must take an anaphylaxis kit to the test administrator before the test starts. Parents will be sent information about the anaphylaxis kit well before the test day.

Please advise us if your child has a disability that could possibly result in disturbance to other students during the test. Separate supervision for testing may be arranged if necessary.

Font and paper sizes

The question papers and answer booklets for the test are printed in Arial font in size N12 (size 12 font). For students requiring large print and/or enlarged papers, the following options are available in Arial font:

  • Size 18 (A4 paper),
  • Size 24 (A4 paper),
  • Size 24 (A3 paper),
  • Size 36 (A3 paper)

How is the information about disability used?

Information that parents and schools provide about disability is used for approving and arranging reasonable adjustments for the test. The Unit sends advice to test centres to ensure the adjustments are implemented.

Information about disability is also considered for equity placement. Learn more about the Equity Placement Model.

Information parents provide about disability cannot be used to restrict access to selective high school placement in any way.

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