SAC available

List of available Special Assessment Conditions

Here is a list of all special assessment conditions, with more information about each one.

Braille Paper (BP)

For blind candidates.

Computer Only Notification (CO) in separate accommodation

For use of a Computer (word processor) only in exams.

Students share accommodation and printers by default unless isolated accommodation is essential.

As this is a Notification only, and not a SAC entitlement, students do not have access to the Extra Writing Time option.

Computer Use (CU) assistance in separate accommodation

For use of a Computer (word processor) in exams.

Students share accommodation and printers by default unless isolated accommodation is essential.

As this is a SAC entitlement, students have access to the Extra Writing Time option.

Enlarged Papers (EP)

Enlarged to A3 only.

Extra Writing Time (ET)

The usual maximum length is 10 minutes for any hour-long assessment or 30 minutes for a three-hour examination.

Extra Writing Time is available for three-hour exam sessions (only when entries are made for three standards or NZ Scholarship in that session).

Reader (R) assistance in separate accommodation

Application for a Reader automatically includes isolated separate accommodation as the Reader will be talking.

Signing Reader (SR) in separate accommodation

For deaf or hard of hearing candidates.

Rest Breaks (RB)

For candidates with physical and medical conditions, such as chronic fatigue, diabetes, anxiety, chronic pain or physical injury.

The usual maximum length is 10 minutes on top of any hour-long assessment or 30 minutes for a three-hour examination (only when entries are made for three standards or NZ Scholarship in that session).

Any time beyond that must be discussed with NZQA.

Rest Breaks in addition to Extra Writing Time are only provided in exceptional circumstances.

Separate Accommodation (SA)

This is provided whenever a Reader or Writer (Typist) is used, and for a candidate who has a specific reason not to be with other candidates.

This may be Isolated or Small Group Separate Accommodation dependent on need.

Special Paper (SP)

This is a PDF to be loaded onto a digital device for enlargement purposes or for printing on coloured paper.

It is not a digital assessment that can be answered on screen.

Supervisor who is capable of signing (SS)

For deaf or hard of hearing candidates.

Writer/Typist (WR)

Application for a Writer/Typist automatically includes isolated separate accommodation as the candidate will be talking.

It is a Writer’s choice to type if they are confident to do so. This decision is not made by the candidate.

Contact the SAC team

If you have a question or feedback, contact the SAC team at sac@nzqa.govt.nz