For students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, traditional exams often seem to test reading speed and decoding skills more than actual knowledge.

The pressure students face during an exam is substantial, and the mental energy it takes just to read the questions can sometimes leave them little time to process, analyse, or answer them.

Examination reading pens are a helpful type of assistive technology that makes exams fairer for students everywhere.

But when can students use these devices, and how do they help those who learn differently? Here’s what you need to know.

What is an examination reading pen?

An examination reading pen, also called an exam pen or scanning pen, is a small handheld device that uses optical character recognition and text-to-speech technology.

When a student moves the pen’s tip over printed text, the pen quickly reads the words out loud through headphones. Approved exam pens do not include dictionaries, thesauruses, or internet access, so they follow exam rules.

When can an examination reading pen be used?

Many people think assistive technology is only for regular classroom use, not for important exams. In fact, major exam boards such as the JCQ in the UK and several in the US and Australia allow the use of examination reading pens, provided certain rules are followed.

1. In official standardised examinations

Exam pens can be used during major exams such as GCSEs, A-Levels, SATs, and ACTs to read questions, instructions, and source texts. However, they are usually not allowed in exams that test reading comprehension, since those are meant to measure a student’s own reading skills.

2. When it reflects a student’s "normal way of working.

Students cannot just use a reading pen for the first time on exam day. To use one in an official test, the school must show that the student uses the pen regularly in lessons, homework, and practice tests during the year.

3. Subject to access arrangements approval

A formal medical diagnosis of dyslexia is not always needed for access arrangements. However, a qualified assessor, coordinator, or school psychologist must confirm that the student has a learning difficulty or reading problem that slows their processing speed.

The core benefits for dyslexia and learning difficulties

For students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, an exam pen can change the whole exam experience. Here’s how it helps:

1. Eliminates decoding fatigue

Dyslexia makes reading printed text tiring and slow. Exam pens read the text out loud, so students do not have to decode it themselves. This lets them save their energy for thinking, solving problems, and answering questions instead of just trying to read.

2. Bypasses the need for a human reader

In the past, students who needed reading help were given a human reader in a separate room. While this could help, it often made students feel anxious or different from others.

Exam pens let students work on their own. With a pen and headphones, they can sit with their classmates in the main exam room, which helps them feel more independent and confident.

3. Improves reading comprehension and speed

Many students with learning difficulties have trouble with working memory. After reading a long exam question, they might forget how it began.

Hearing the text read aloud at a comfortable speed helps them understand better, reduces the need to reread, and helps them keep up with exam time limits.

4. Reduces exam anxiety

Worrying about misreading a question and failing an exam can be very stressful. Having a reliable tool to check their reading gives students confidence. With less anxiety, they can focus and stay calm during exams.

Choosing the right exam pen

When choosing a scanning pen for school exams, consider models such as the C-Pen Exam Reader 2, which offers a mode that disables features like data storage, Wi-Fi, and translation tools, ensuring the pen complies with all exam board rules.

If educators and parents help students use examination reading pens regularly from an early age, students can demonstrate their true abilities and effort on exam day without being held back by dyslexia.

Chris Hewitt, from Wyvern Business Systems, said: “The Exam Reader is a great product to support students who struggle to understand questions in exam conditions, which can often lead to them incorrectly answering a question, of which they may often know the answer!”

If you need support choosing a reading pen, then why not get in touch with one of our team today! Alternatively, if you want to see how reading pens impact your reading scores before committing your budget? Try them risk-free in your own classrooms first. Sign up for your free trial today.