Special Conditions

IELTS aims to objectively and fairly assess English communication skills.

Our exam centre carries out all necessary preparations to ensure people with special needs can take the exam.

If, for health or other reasons, you need special arrangements to take the test, please contact the exam centre 3 months before the exam date. Every case is given close attention, and you'll need to provide an original medical report so we can prepare the necessary materials and conditions for testing.

• The medical documentation must be clearly legible in Latvian or English.
• The medical documentation must be an original document clearly stating the medical institution, and the first and last name of the doctor who issued it.
• The medical documentation must be an original document clearly stating the patient's first and last name and diagnosis.
• The medical documentation must be an original document clearly stating the medical grounds confirming the need for special test conditions or materials.
• The medical documentation must be presented as a report and be no older than 2 years.

Various materials can be used: enlarged print or Braille.

Answers can be given in various formats: using the Braille version, or by computer, including extra time for the Reading, Writing and Listening sections.

If you're partially deaf and can hear with headphones, you can request headphones for the Listening section.

Lip-reading is also allowed during Listening.

In cases of severe hearing loss, you can register for a version where you don't need to take the Listening and Speaking sections.

You can request extra time (up to 30 minutes) to complete the Reading and Writing sections, as well as use of a computer.

If you fall ill on test day and inform the exam centre, special arrangements may be made for you upon presenting a doctor's note.

To arrange the necessary special conditions, you must notify the exam centre 3 months before the exam. We'll need to contact Cambridge ESOL  to request specialised test materials (e.g. the Braille version).  In Latvia, the specialised test can only be taken in Riga. No extra fee is charged for special arrangements.