The British Council aims to ensure that every candidate is treated fairly and objectively and that they are given optimum conditions to take their exams. We can make arrangements to accommodate special circumstances or requirements to enable test takers to attend a test centre, to understand questions and to give their exam answers.
If you require special arrangements to undertake your exam, please follow the instructions for each exam below. The special arrangements available depend on the examination board and in some cases you may be exempt from a part of an examination because of a disability or difficulty. Please note, no documents regarding special arrangements will be accepted after registration has closed.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the registration deadline for special needs candidates is sooner than the regular registration deadline, therefore it is necessary to register these candidates well in advance. Unfortunately we are not able to provide special arrangements service if you contact us after the registration deadline. Please note that no application can be considered unless there is a supporting medical certificate.
If you need special needs arrangement please always contact us via email address hana.nohynkova@britishcouncil.cz.
There is no extra charge for the Special Arrangements service.
Special arrangements can be provided for:
IELTS
The IELTS test has been designed to be a fair test. Your English language ability will be assessed objectively, regardless of any disability or special needs that you may have. We make every effort to cater for all our candidates.
If you have a disability or special need, please contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Candidates with special needs requiring the adaptation of test papers (e.g. hearing/sight impairment), should submit their application for special arrangements complete with medical evidence to the British Council no later than 3 months before the test date.
Candidates with special needs requiring administrative changes (e.g. the use of headphones, computer, etc.) should submit their application for special arrangements complete with medical evidence to the British Council no later than 6 weeks before the test date.
Evidence of disability
- The evidence needs to be provided in Czech or English. In case of a Czech medical report, a summary in English is required. There's no need for a certified translation.
- The evidence should be an original document on headed paper, and bearing the name, relevant qualification/s and signature of a recognised, qualified professional.
- The evidence should give a clear statement of the candidate’s disability.
- The evidence should make it clear how the disability justifies Special Arrangements.
Additional criteria apply in the case of applications for Special Arrangements for candidates with specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia):
- The evidence must be in the form of a letter or report prepared when the candidate was aged 13 or older.
- The evidence must include details of the degree of disability.
- The letter or report must include an assurance that the evidence of specific difficulties was obtained through the results of appropriate and recognised tests and the tests used must be stated.
- The evidence must be provided by a fully qualified educational, clinical or chartered psychologist, or other appropriately-qualified specialist assessor.
The organisers of the test may not be able to provide the service requested. Requests submitted after the end of the regular registration period will not be accepted. If you have a disability or special need, contact us
Computer-delivered IELTS candidates, who require special arrangements such as extra time, or modified question paper material, must be entered for the paper-based exam and not computer-delivered IELTS.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH EXAMS
If you want to apply for Special Arrangements Service, please contact us as soon as possible, a week before the end of the standard registration period at the latest (not during the late registration period). For some special arrangements it can take 6 months before the modified materials are sent. Unfortunately we are not able to provide special arrangements service if you contact us after the deadline.
IMPORTANT: Please note that no application can be considered without a certificate from a medical specialist. The medical certificate should be an original document on headed paper, and bearing the name, relevant qualification and signature of a recognized practitioner and should give a clear statement of the candidate’s disability. This certificate cannot be older than two years.
- If you need question papers in Braille please contact us at least 6 months before the exam
- If you want to apply for an exemption please contact us at least 3 months before the exam
Once you have received permission for the above Special Arrangements, your answers will be marked on the same basis as for all other candidates.
If you have a disability or special need, please contact us.
You can apply for special arrangements for Cambridge English paper-based exams only.
PROFESSIONAL AND UNIVERSITY EXAMS
In most cases you will need to contact your examining board or university directly for a special need request. The examining board will contact the British Council about the arrangements and will inform you about the approval of your request.
You can contact us for a special need request if you have registered with us for your exam. You will need to provide a medical certificate issued within the last two years at the time of registration.
Please check carefully all the possibilities for special arrangements.