Contact details
Access Coordinator
ABRSM
4 London Wall Place
London
EC2Y 5AU
T +44 (0)20 7467 7342
E [email protected]
Support for candidates with specific needs taking ABRSM exams
Our policy
ABRSM is committed to providing fair access to our exams for candidates with specific needs. In this section, you can find out about the access arrangements and reasonable adjustments we can provide in our Fair Access Guidelines. Please take the time to review our Access Policy.
The policy is available in alternative formats upon request.
Important Updates
- From January 2019, all Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments must be selected at the time of entry and before the entry closing date.
- Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments must be selected each time the candidate is entered for an exam.
- We will be unable to accept any late requests for Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments so please check your candidate’s specific needs before you make their entry.
- If changes are made to an entry after the entry closing date, we will not be able to transfer any Access Arrangement or Reasonable Adjustment to the updated entry
Selecting access arrangements and reasonable adjustments
Please select the most appropriate access code on the entry form, based on your candidate’s specific needs. If the required access arrangement or reasonable adjustment is not listed, please contact the representative for your country.
Fair Access Guidelines
- Fair access information for candidates with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), including dyslexia and dyspraxia
- Fair access information for candidates with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
- Fair access information for blind and partially sighted candidates
- Fair access information for deaf and hearing-impaired candidates
- Fair access information for candidates with other health conditions or disabilities
- Fair access information for candidates using an amanuensis
- Fair access guidelines for candidates requesting a Spoken Language Interpreter
- Fair access guidelines for candidates requesting a chaperone (new for 2020)
- Fair access guidelines for candidates with physical restrictions or disabilities (new for 2020)
Specific needs codes (non-UK)
|
Code |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A |
for an amanuensis (Theory) |
|
B |
for Braille memory test in place of sight-reading or Braille Theory paper (if an amanuensis is also required, please attach a separate note) |
|
C |
for candidates with Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
|
D |
for candidates with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia or other learning difficulties |
|
I |
for candidates who will be bringing an interpreter (Practical). A candidate who is not comfortable using English is allowed to bring an independent person as interpreter – Regulation 13 (b) |
|
L |
for large notation Practical sight-reading test or large print Theory paper |
|
M |
for large notation memory test (Practical) |
|
P |
for modified staff notation sight-reading test (Practical) |
|
Q |
for modified staff notation memory test (Practical) |
|
R |
for the aural repetition test in place of the sight-reading test (Practical) |
|
S |
for special aural tests for hearing impaired candidates (Practical) |
|
T |
for a translation of the Theory paper (Local language only – specify language required) |
|
X |
for Theory candidates who are unable to sit an exam on the published date for religious reasons |
Support for candidates with specific needs taking ABRSM exams
Our policy
ABRSM is committed to providing fair access to our exams for candidates with specific needs. In this section, you can find out about the access arrangements and reasonable adjustments we can provide in our Fair Access Guidelines.
We have made some important updates to the process for requesting Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments. Please take the time to review our updated Access Policy on this page, or download the policy as a PDF.
The policy is available in alternative formats upon request.
Important Updates from April 2020
- All applications for Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments must be selected at the time of entry and before the entry closing date.
- Applications for access arrangements and reasonable adjustments must be made each time the candidate is entered for an exam.
- We will be unable to accept any late requests for Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments so please check your candidate’s specific needs before you make their entry.
- If changes are made to an entry after the entry closing date, we will not be able to transfer any Access Arrangement or Reasonable Adjustment to the updated entry.
Selecting access arrangements and reasonable adjustments
From April 2020, you will be able to choose from a wider range of access arrangements and reasonable adjustments when making exam entries. We are not making any changes to the provisions we offer candidates with specific needs.
Fair Access Guidelines
- Fair access information for candidates with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), including dyslexia and dyspraxia
- Fair access information for candidates with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
- Fair access information for blind and partially sighted candidates
- Fair access information for deaf and hearing-impaired candidates
- Fair access information for candidates with other health conditions or disabilities
- Fair access information for candidates using an amanuensis
- Fair access guidelines for candidates requesting a Spoken Language Interpreter
- Fair access guidelines for candidates requesting a chaperone (new for 2020)
- Fair access guidelines for candidates with physical restrictions or disabilities (new for 2020)
Accessibility Statement
Please click here to read our accessibility statement relating to Online Music Theory Exams.