When registering online for the tests, you need to state whether or not you require any special arrangements when prompted. You should also inform your training provider of your particular need at the beginning of the academic year. This will help to ensure that you receive the correct provisions.
Non-standard versions of the skills tests
Different versions of the tests cater for different needs. The available non-standard versions for each special requirement are listed below.
Please be aware that all tests listed below can be booked through the online booking system without the need to submit an application form or evidence, although the TDA reserves the right to request proof that candidates require special arrangements. An application form and evidence, in the form of a medical report or educational psychologist’s report, should only be submitted if your need is not listed, or if you require arrangements beyond those mentioned. For information on possible further provisions, please contact the special arrangements team on tdasa@pearson.com.
Candidates with hearing impairments
Candidates with visual impairments
Candidates with physical disabilities
Candidates assessed as dyslexic
Candidates for whom English is not their first language
Candidates requiring any other special arrangements
Candidates with hearing impairments
Tests to select: NUM2, LIT2, ICT1.
If you are a trainee with a hearing impairment, you are entitled to special arrangements for the numeracy and literacy skills tests, but not for the ICT skills test as the standard version does not contain audio elements.
For the numeracy test, you are entitled to on-screen questions in addition to the audio questions for the mental arithmetic section.
For the literacy test, multiple-choice spelling options will be provided on screen instead of the audio spelling questions.
Candidates with visual impairments
Tests to select: NUM3, LIT3, ICT2.
Depending on the level of your visual impairment, you will be offered 25 per cent additional time in which to complete each test and/or an enlarged paper version of the test (for numeracy and literacy only). Although extra time can be booked online, paper based tests, however, cannot be booked online and require the submission of an application form and optician’s report, or similar.
You can also request to use one of the 21” monitors available in the test centres listed below (reasonable travel expenses will be paid to those trainees who need to travel further than normal to gain access to the large screens):
London Victoria
University of Exeter
University of Loughborough
University of Reading
University of Southampton
University of Sunderland
If you wish to use a large screen monitor, please book your test as normal at one of these test centres and contact the special arrangements team at least one week in advance of your test booking on tdasa@pearson.com so that we can ensure that your requirements are met.
If you are blind, you will need to notify your training provider and ask them to submit an application form and evidence on your behalf. The TDA will then contact your training provider and liaise with them to arrange an alternative assessment of your skills. Please note that you should not book any tests yourself during this time, and your assessment may take longer to arrange due to the need for the TDA to liaise with your training provider to arrange your test.
Candidates with physical disabilities
Tests to select: NUM3, LIT3, ICT2.
You may receive up to 25 per cent extra time on all tests through the online booking system. Further provisions may be made in exceptional circumstances.
In such situations your provider must make an application demonstrating that your needs and must support this application with a medical report. Please download the application form on the right-hand side and contact your training provider.
If you normally use special equipment for tests and would like to know if you can use the equipment for the skills tests, please e-mail tdasa@pearson.com before booking the test to find out whether your equipment is compatible with the test system and to ensure that the test centre administrator receives sufficient notice of your requirements.
Candidates assessed as dyslexic
Tests to select: NUM3, LIT3, ICT2.
You may receive up to 25 per cent extra time on all tests.
You may receive up to 25 per cent extra time on all tests through the online booking system. Further provisions may be made in exceptional circumstances.
In such situations your provider must make an application demonstrating that you have a severe form of dyslexia and must support the application with an educational psychologist’s report. Please download the application form on the right-hand side and contact the SENCO at your training provider.
Candidates for whom English is not their first language
Tests to select: NUM4, LIT3, ICT2.
If English is not your first language, you may opt for 25 per cent additional time in which to complete the tests. In the numeracy test, you will also be able to view the mental arithmetic questions on screen whilst listening to the audio questions through headphones.
Candidates requiring any other special arrangements
If you require any special arrangements other than or in addition to those listed above, you will need to ask your training provider to submit an application form for special arrangements along with evidence in the form of an educational psychologist's report or medical report. The application form can be downloaded from the 'downloads' section of this page. You should download this form and contact your training provider.
Completed application forms and evidence should be sent to:
TDA Special Arrangements Team
Pearson Vue
The Lighthouse
14 the Quays
Salford, M50 3BF
E-mail: tdasa@pearson.com
Please note that we will not accept applications which are incomplete or not accompanied by either an up-to-date medical report or educational psychologist's report.
We reserve the right to request proof that candidates require special arrangements. If such evidence cannot be produced, we reserve the right to disregard any pass obtained with the benefit of special arrangements.
If you have any further enquiries then you can contact our helpdesk on 0845 450 8867 (open Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm)
