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Sets clear rules for permitted items: small, silent, handheld, neutral and non-informational, used to regulate attention, anxiety, and sensory needs without providing an advantage. Requires explicit VCAA approval and listing in a student’s approved exam arrangements, with supervisor oversight. Notes that misuse can lead to removal during the exam and provides best-practice steps and sample application wording.",{"@graph":69,"@context":123},[70,84,106],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":20,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/vcaa-approved-use-of-fidget-tools-in-vce-external-exams-for-schools-2026-update/316028/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/vcaa-approved-use-of-fidget-tools-in-vce-external-exams-for-schools-2026-update/316028.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Fahsai","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-04","2026-09-20",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":105},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",21,{"@type":107,"mainEntity":108},"FAQPage",[109,115,119],{"name":110,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":112},"What kinds of fidget tools are permitted in VCE external exams?","Question",{"text":113,"@type":114},"Permitted tools are small, silent, handheld fidgets such as a stress ball or smooth stone. They must be non-distracting, neutral, and not resemble prohibited materials.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What approval is required to use a fidget tool in an exam?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"The fidget must be explicitly approved by VCAA and listed in the student’s approved exam arrangements. Approval does not mean unlimited use; conditions must still be followed.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"Why can a student’s fidget be removed during the exam?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"If the item is misused or any conditions are breached, the exam supervisor may remove it. 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Use of this tool improves task engagement withoutimpacting assessment integrity.","cbCaidHjKOxHWatZ","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaidHjKOxHWatZ","pdf",106135,"English","# Permitted fidget tools\n# Not permitted items and behaviours\n# Key VCAA principles\n# Best practice for schools\n# Example wording for a VCAA application","[{\"question\":\"What kinds of fidget tools are permitted in VCE external exams?\",\"answer\":\"Permitted tools are small, silent, handheld fidgets such as a stress ball or smooth stone. They must be non-distracting, neutral, and not resemble prohibited materials.\"},{\"question\":\"What approval is required to use a fidget tool in an exam?\",\"answer\":\"The fidget must be explicitly approved by VCAA and listed in the student’s approved exam arrangements. Approval does not mean unlimited use; conditions must still be followed.\"},{\"question\":\"Why can a student’s fidget be removed during the exam?\",\"answer\":\"If the item is misused or any conditions are breached, the exam supervisor may remove it. The guidance warns that misuse can result in removal even with approval.\"}]","VCAA Approved Use of Fidget Tools in VCE external exams for Schools - 2026 update | PDF",1789909173]