Our official IELTS test centres can help if you have visual, hearing, speaking or learning difficulties. If you need a modified version of IELTS, please give the test centre three months’ notice.
If special arrangements (for example, extra time) need to be made then please give the test centre six weeks' notice.
For any special requirements you need to send an original medical certificate to your test centre. Medical certificates must meet the below criteria. The evidence must:
- be accessible to the administrator in terms of language and legibility
- be an original document, on headed paper, by a qualified professional
- make it clear how the disability justifies the special arrangements.
Additionally, for candidates with specific learning difficulties, the following criteria also apply. The evidence must:
- be written when the candidate was aged 13 or older
- include full details of the learning difficulty and tests which have been carried out
- be written by a fully qualified psychologist (educational, clinical or chartered).
Your English language ability will be assessed objectively, regardless of any disability or special needs that you may have.
What do special arrangements include?
- braille papers
- special Listening CD with necessary stops and pauses
- lip-reading version of the Listening test
- enlarged print or Speaking task cards in Braille.
What sort of help can I get?
If you have a visual impairment, we can provide:
- enlarged print
- Braille test papers
- an amanuensis to write the answers for you.
If you have hearing difficulties, we can offer:
- special amplification equipment
- a lip-reading version of the Listening module.
If you have dyslexia, we can arrange:
- extra time for the Reading and Writing tests.
Please contact your local test centre as soon as possible if you have special needs that may require a modified IELTS test version.