What this provision does
This provision allows students to use a person or an electronic reader (such as a C-pen) to read out exam questions and student responses during an HSC exam.
Who this provision is for
This provision is usually for students with:
- a reading disability
- Irlen syndrome or scotopic sensitivity.
How it works on the day
It is the school’s job to find a suitable reader. If we have approved both a writer and a reader, we expect the same person would do both things.
The following people can act as a reader:
- a Year 11 student familiar with the subjects being examined
- a former student of the school
- a retired teacher
- a non-teaching employee at the student's school such as a teacher's aide, clerical or office staff or a lab technician.
The following people can’t act as a reader:
- a relative or friend of the student
- a currently employed teacher or private tutor
- a person who recently taught the student
- a person who has a close relative sitting the same exam
- a NESA-appointed exam supervisor or presiding officer.
A reader should:
- understand the subject(s) being examined
- be able to communicate clearly in English at a typical literacy level for an HSC student
- be willing to practise with the student multiple times
- be patient and sensitive
- agree to keep everything related to the HSC confidential.
We think of readers as volunteers and they are not paid.
A reader can:
- read the exam questions and any incorporated stimulus or resource material as many times as the student asks them to
- read the student’s answers back to them
- read only in English, including in a language exam.
A reader can’t:
- interpret the questions for the student
- advise the student in any way
- read in the language being examined in a Language exam
- leave the exam room in the first hour.
A student can practise using a reader multiple times before the actual exam.
A student can’t:
- ask the reader to interpret the question
- ask a reader in a language exam to read in the language being examined.
What supporting information is needed
Examples of supporting information for this provision include:
- Reading test results from a YARC (Level 2), WIAT-III or WIAT-IV test
- NESA Teacher Comments form
- Student declaration.
YARC reading tests are available in some schools.
Where to find more information
Schools can find forms and templates for most types of supporting information through the Schools Online platform. They will print out the relevant forms and give them to students, parents or caregivers as needed.
If the types of supporting information that we listed above don’t seem relevant, please contact the Student Support team to discuss your circumstances. You can contact us on: