Students with Special Needs

You can request special arrangements and/or modified materials for the IELTS test if: 

  • you have certified specific learning difficulties

  • you have certified permanent or temporary disabilities (motor and/or sensory impairment)

  • other certified physical or psychological conditions that may affect the performance of your IELTS test

If you have Specific Learning Disorders (SpLD) or other disabilities you may request special arrangements to take the IELTS Academic test. The special arrangements are proposed and approved directly by the examination board (International House Milano) based on the medical report that you will provide together with the request forms (see the next section "How to make a request” https://www.polito.it/en/education/services-and-life-at-politecnico/polito-language-centre-cla/english/students-with-special-needs).

If you have been approved some special arrangements for a specific test date and you decide to cancel your registration, you must inform the examination board by e-mail: ih.ielts@ihmilano.it.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WHAT YOU WILL GET
EXTRA TIME

You will get a percentage of extra time to complete the test, depending on the evaluation of your medical report. 

Extra time for the Listening Part will give you more time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

READERA person who will read the questions to you out loud 
SCRIBEA person who will writes down the answers for you
SUPERVISED BREAKSYou may agree with the examiner one or more breaks for you to rest during the test
USE OF A PC

You may use a PC to write your answer (Writing Part) or transfer your answers to the answer sheet (Listening and Reading Parts).

The PC provided to you will not have spell-checker nor word count

MODIFIED MATERIALSWHAT YOU WILL GET
ENLARGED PRINT QUESTION PAPERSYou will get a test paper with enlarged prints (A4 or A3 size), depending on the evaluation of your medical report
BRAILLE QUESTION PAPERSYou will get a Braille test paper (hard copy)
DICTATION SOFTWARE

The PC will have a software that will allow you to dictate your answers

It is approved only in very specific cases

BRAILLE SOFTWAREThe PC will have a Braille keyboard
SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR the LISTENING PartYou will be able to use earphones or other support tools agreed upon with the examination board
LIP-READ VERSION OF THE LISTENING Part

A member of the staff will sit in front of you and read the Listening questions (modified version) to you out loud

It is approved only in very specific cases

MODIFIED LISTENING CD

You will be able to listen to each section of the Listening Part TWICE, with additional pauses during the second repetition for you to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. 

The Modified Listening CD is granted to test takers depending on the evaluation of the medical report

In specific cases, test takers can request to be EXEMPTED from one or more Parts of the IELTS Academic test (see Exemption Request Form).

PLEASE NOTE: Exemption requests are examined and processed by Cambridge and not by the examination board ( International House Milano).

 

 

  1. Carefully read the previous section and choose which special requirements you need
  2. choose the IELTS test date considering the notice periods required to make the request
  3. fill in the forms here, related to your case (If you have any doubts, please contact us by writing to: ielts.specialneeds@polito.it)
  4. send the forms and relevant medical documentation to ih.ielts@ihmilano.it within the timeframe of the chosen IELTS session

Forward a copy of your request, without attachments, to ielts.specialneeds@polito.it so we can follow up your request.

The Application Forms and the documents are:

 

IMPORTANT:

  • you must make a request for every IELTS session you wish to register for
  • you are personally responsible for registering for the IELTS session for which you have made the request. Please check the terms of registration on the IELTS test registration page. 
  • write to ielts.specialneeds@polito.it if you don't receive a reply within a week.

If you need further clarification, please contact us by sending a ticket to the Teaching and Language Centre (CLA).

  • Verify your English language level: connect to the Virtual LAIB following our quick guide. You will find your score on your personal page of the Teaching Portal - "Languages/Lingue" TAB - in the following days
  • follow the proposed activities according to your level ("Languages/Lingue TAB" - section English -> IELTS preparation)
  • contact us at ielts.specialneeds@polito.it if you need specific advice on your preparation.

 

IELTS SUPPORT TUTORIALS - Course specific for students with Special Needs

  • 2 editions per year 
  • 8 meetings in 4 weeks, face-to-face
  • course objectives: understand the IELTS test, practise the various parts and work in groups to overcome any difficulties in the exam.

You will receive information tickets and emails close to the start of each course edition (approximately March and November).