Modified Exam Papers - Collaborative paths to accessible, fair and inclusive examinations

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Damian

Modified exam papers use reasonable adjustments to support students with diverse learning needs during high-stakes examinations. The research investigates how UK secondary schools and students access and use modified papers, including large print, interactive electronic question papers, tactile diagrams and 3D models, subtitles, and Unified English Braille. Findings include confidence gaps among exams officers, access issues for vision-impaired learners, and benefits from tactile models and interactive functions, informing service improvements for a more inclusive exam environment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

What are modified exam papers?

What did we aim to find out?

What did we learn from this research?

What have we done so far?

What do these findings mean for Pearson and the wider sector?

What further research is needed?

© Juice Verve / Shutterstock Modified Exam Papers: Collaborative paths to accessible, fair and inclusive examinations Dr Liyuan Liu, Kevin Mason, Hayley Dalton Edited by Lesley Roberts, Joanna Biggers Liu, L, Mason, K, Dalton, H. (2025) Modified exam papers: Collaborative paths to accessible, fair and inclusive examinations. Available at: At Pearson, we’re always looking for ways to improve our qualifications, services, and support for schools and colleges, making our qualifications and assessments accessible to all students. From the first half of 2022 to the end of 2024, we investigated the access and use of modified exam papers since 2016. Read our Modified Exam Papers Project (MPP) findings to discover how you and your students can benefit and make a real difference in the future of modified exam papers. 1. What are modified exam papers? Modified exam papers are papers with reasonable adjustments designed to support students with various learning needs during high-stakes exams. Pearson offers a variety of sizes and formats to suit different candidate needs, including: l Interactive Electronic Question Papers (also named Interactive PDFs): for use with electronic readers, or word processors l 18pt Bold Font on A4 paper l 24pt Bold Font on A4 paper l 24pt Bold Font on A3 paper l 36pt Bold Font on A3 paper l Tactile Diagrams and Physical Mathematics Models (3D models) l Subtitles on video clips l Unified English Braille (Grade 1 – uncontracted) l Unified English Braille (Grade 2 – contracted) All large print papers are supplied in Arial Bold font with 1.5 line spacing. Take a look at our past papers in modified formats. 2. What did we aim to find out? This research aimed to answer two questions: l How are modified papers accessed and used by UK secondary schools and students? l How are students engaging with different types of modified papers, including modified large prints and interactive PDFs? 3. What did we learn from this research? Based on the 2022 Pearson Exams Officers’ Survey, we found at the school level that: l 37% of surveyed Exams Officers reported a lack of confidence in responding to student inquiries about modifications and their optimal use after COVID-19 . l There are differences between modified papers that are created in schools and the final version in the live exam, such as paper size and photo quality. l Exams Officers reported different styles of modified papers used by different exam boards and requested more standardisation. l Exams Officers reported that centres requested more standardisation in the methods for ordering modified exam papers for different qualifications. Based on the Pearson Student Survey (2022-2023), student interviews (2022-2024) and direct observations of mock exams (2024), we found atthe student level that: l 63% of surveyed vision-impaired and blind students reported issues accessing graphics. Students find tactile diagrams and physical mathematical models highly beneficial for accessing graphical questions. Providing practice templates, offering various font choices for label sizes, and providing clear descriptions can enhance this experience. l A lack of practice with past modified exam papers and assistive technologies (e.g., 3D shapes) leads to an inconsistent experience for students from classroom to mock to final exam. l Using colour in diagrams can improve legibility for some students. l 100% of interviewed vision-impaired and blind students indicated that Physical Mathematics Models (3D shapes) can improve their reduced stereopsis. l Interactive PDFs’ listen and type functions have been reported as revolutionary, notably easing student anxiety about time constraints and handwriting legibility. 4. What have we done so far? We adopted a student-centred approach and published a collection of five case studies to explore the experiences of learners with diverse learning needs using modified exam papers

FAQs

What are modified exam papers and what purpose do they serve?

Modified exam papers are papers with reasonable adjustments designed to support students with various learning needs during high-stakes exams. They enable more accessible participation through formats such as interactive PDFs, large print, tactile diagrams, and braille.

How do UK schools and students access and use modified exam papers?

The research examines access and use at the school and student levels. It highlights differences between school-created materials and live exam versions, and reports how students engage with modified large prints and interactive PDFs.

What were the key impacts reported for students with visual impairments?

Students reported issues accessing graphics, while tactile diagrams and physical mathematical models were highly beneficial. The findings also note that interactive PDFs’ listen and type functions help reduce anxiety related to time constraints and handwriting legibility.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Damian