Writing
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) AARA specifies that a measure of writing speed can be used as evidence for a scribe. Does the handwriting test in Exact meet this JCQ requirement?
Yes, if a student has a slow (i.e. below standard score 85) writing to dictation score on Exact, this indicates that they have writing difficulties and the score can be used as core assessment evidence for a scribe alongside centre evidence of the normal way of working.
It is worth noting that if their writing to dictation on Exact is within the average range, the student might still experience problems in producing free writing where they are using their own ideas. If so, they may be entitled to access arrangements on this basis. For this reason, a free handwriting test (i.e. where the student has to choose which words to use as well as write them down) may need to be administered in addition to the test results obtained from Exact.
For further information consult the book ‘Assessing the need for Access Arrangements during Examinations. A Practical Guide’ (6th edition, Patoss, 2021).
Can the Exact handwriting to dictation be used in assessments for extra time for handwriting?
Yes, Form 8 currently requires a test of writing speed and the AARA specifies Speed of Writing [2022-23, Section 5.2.2] as evidence for extra time. A score in the below average range (84 or less) or low average range (85-89) on the Exact Writing to Dictation could be used as one of the two measures providing core assessment evidence, alongside centre evidence of the normal way of working, in an application for 25% extra time.