Ignite-143 Academic Centre of Excellence
Does Your Child Need Examination Concessions?
What Every Parent Should Know
Understanding learning difficulties, assessment concessions and how the right support can make a difference.
Have you ever wondered why your child takes much longer than other learners to complete a test? Does your child understand the work when you explain it but struggle to read the questions, put answers on paper or finish an examination in the allocated time?
Perhaps your child studies for hours, knows the answers when discussing the work with you, but consistently performs below expectations in formal assessments.
These could be signs that your child is experiencing a barrier to learning.
Many parents are unaware that learners who experience certain learning difficulties may qualify for formal examination accommodations or concessions. Others know that concessions exist but are unsure how to recognise the need, where to start or who to approach.
At Ignite-143 Academic Centre of Excellence, we believe that every learner deserves an opportunity to demonstrate what they know and what they are capable of achieving.
Let's look at what parents need to know.
01 / Understanding support
What Are Examination Accommodations and Concessions?
Examination accommodations and concessions are formal arrangements designed to assist learners who experience barriers to learning. The purpose is to create a fair assessment environment where learners can demonstrate their knowledge and skills without their particular learning difficulty unnecessarily preventing them from doing so.
An accommodation changes the way a learner accesses or completes an assessment, without changing the academic standard being assessed.
Examples of accommodations
- A learner with dyslexia may have examination questions read aloud.
- A learner with a writing difficulty may dictate answers to a scribe.
- A learner who works slowly may receive additional time.
- A learner who struggles with concentration may write in a separate venue.
What is a concession?
A concession allows an alternative arrangement that changes how a learner meets certain assessment requirements. Examples include an approved exemption from a subject or an Endorsed National Senior Certificate pathway.
Both are intended to provide appropriate support, not an unfair academic advantage.
02 / Recognising barriers
What Should Parents Look Out For?
Reading difficulties
Reads much more slowly, struggles to sound out words, skips words, loses place, avoids reading aloud.
Writing difficulties
Knows answer but can't write it, frequent spelling errors, extremely slow writing, very short answers, frustration with written tasks.
Mathematical difficulties
Struggles with number concepts, calculation errors, difficulty with word problems.
Attention and concentration
Needs repeated instructions, easily distracted, leaves questions unanswered despite knowing work.
Slow processing and working speed
Homework takes considerably longer, struggles to finish tests despite knowing content, anxiety when working against the clock. Verbal ability much stronger than written work.
Emotional signs
Anxiety before tests, avoidance of homework, statements like “I am stupid”, headaches or stomach aches before assessments.
03 / Professional guidance
Who Should Assess Your Child?
If you recognise several of these signs, arrange an appropriate professional assessment. For SACAI applications, psycho-educational assessments must be completed by an appropriately qualified educational psychologist registered with the relevant professional council.
Assessment may also include a speech and language therapist, medical practitioner or relevant specialist, or occupational therapist.
04 / Application journey
What Does the SACAI Concession Application Process Involve?
SACAI is the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute, responsible for considering accommodation and concession applications for eligible learners registered through its assessment centres.
When should parents apply?
- Grade 9: 1 August to 31 October for FET phase.
- Grades 10 and 11: by 31 July.
- Grade 12: only exceptional or ad hoc circumstances.
- SACAI opens the annual process on 31 January.
Confirm all deadlines against SACAI's current official policy before applying.
05 / Available assistance
What Types of Accommodations Are Available?
Additional time
5 to 30 minutes per hour. SLD guideline up to 15 minutes per hour. Reader/scribe automatically receives 15 minutes per hour.
Reader
Reads questions exactly as written. Does not explain.
Scribe
Records exactly what the learner dictates.
Separate venue
Quieter, controlled environment.
Assistive arrangements
Computer use, assistive technology, spelling/handwriting accommodations.
Other approved support
Rest breaks, prompter, special aids.
06 / Formal concessions
What About Formal Concessions?
Exemption from a language subject, exemption from Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and an Endorsed National Senior Certificate all require severe documented difficulties, replacement subjects, and careful consideration for future study. Discuss with professionals and SACAI.
07 / Examination day
How Are Concessions Managed During Tests and Examinations?
Receiving approval is only part of the process. It must be implemented correctly.
Before
Institution aware, approval letter available, reader/scribe arranged, venue prepared, equipment checked, invigilation complies.
During
Learner receives only assistance specified. Reader must read exactly as written and may not explain. Scribe must record accurately and may not change wording or suggest answers. Additional time per requirements. Separate venue must have supervision.
After
Completed assessment handled per procedures. Approval documentation must accompany where required. Separate venue sessions must comply with SACAI recording requirements.
08 / Reader and scribe responsibilities
Who Is Allowed to Assist a Learner During an Examination?
Not just anyone can act as a reader or scribe. They must be appropriately trained.
A qualified reader must:
- Read exactly as written.
- Remain neutral.
- Allow the learner to decide what must be read.
- Never explain or suggest.
A qualified scribe must:
- Record exactly what the learner dictates.
- Never change or correct.
- Allow the learner to do their own planning.
09 / Ignite-143 support
How Ignite-143 Can Assist Your Child
At Ignite-143 Academic Centre of Excellence, we understand that learners do not all learn the same way. Our team members are qualified readers and scribes and we can accommodate separate venues subject to approval.
Qualified assistance
Qualified readers and qualified scribes.
Assessment venues
Separate assessment venues, subject to approval.
Supportive guidance
Help understanding approved accommodations and a supportive environment with patience, dignity and respect.
Our philosophy: We want learners to be assessed on what they know, not held back by a barrier that could have been addressed.
10 / Parent checklist
A Few Important Things Parents Should Remember
- A learning difficulty does not mean your child is not intelligent.
- Poor results do not always reflect true ability.
- Persistent difficulties should not be ignored.
- Professional assessment is necessary.
- Diagnosis does not automatically guarantee approval.
- SACAI makes the final decision.
- Applications must be within prescribed timeframes.
- Approved accommodations must be implemented per approval letter.
- Keep copies of all documentation.
- Early intervention makes a significant difference.
At Ignite-143, We See the Potential in Every Learner.
Because every learner deserves the opportunity to shine!
WhatsApp: 076 940 4281 | Telephone: 087 701 1449
Email: info@ignite-143.co.za | www.ignite-143.co.za
Important Disclaimer & Official Information
This article provides general educational information about examination accommodations and concessions and is not a substitute for a professional assessment or formal approval by SACAI.
Concession requirements, application fees and examination procedures may change. Applications must be submitted through a SACAI-registered assessment centre. SACAI does not accept applications directly from parents and does not communicate directly with parents. Parents are responsible for extra costs related to accommodations, which may include venue rental and additional invigilator fees.
For the most current and official information, please refer to SACAI's official Policy on Accommodations and Concessions (Implementation 01 January 2026), available on the official SACAI website. Find the policy under Documents > Policies > Policy on Accommodations and Concessions — Annexure 8.4.2.
Kindly ensure that a copy of the learner's accommodation letter is attached to their Grade 12 registration form, as well as to each examination script, as required by SACAI.