You may see the title of this article and assume it is a post about the World Cup. It isn’t. The World Cup does however provide a good example that illustrates the main point that this article seeks to address, that is, the importance of additional time.
What the World Cup Gets Right
Many of us may have found ourselves watching a football match lately and feeling angry that the referee has added on too little additional time. Throughout the World Cup, additional time has been a huge point of contention. After all, it can decide an entire match.
Everyone would agree that it has the power to determine a result. This is no different when it comes to exams.
Ireland Is an Outlier
The importance of additional time is particularly relevant for students with dyslexia, who may need more time during exams.
Research by Keith Murphy of TU Dublin, published by RTÉ Brainstorm, puts France at roughly 33% additional time, Italy at 30% and the UK at 25%. In Ireland, these students receive a staggeringly low 5-7%, depending on the length of the exam.
That 5-7% is itself new. It arrived only for this year’s exams, after sustained campaigning, as ten additional minutes on each written paper, and it is an interim measure the State Examinations Commission will review before confirming arrangements for 2027. Before this year, the figure was zero.
This is simply not right. The objective of an exam is for a student to demonstrate their knowledge. A student should not be hindered or placed under unnecessary additional stress due to the fact that they have dyslexia.
A student should not be hindered or placed under unnecessary additional stress due to the fact that they have dyslexia.
What an Exam Is For
At third level in Ireland, students with dyslexia receive roughly 17% additional time, which further highlights how insufficient the additional time afforded to secondary school students is.
If the World Cup has taught us one thing it is that additional time can determine a result. Therefore, it is important that the correct amount of time is given. This is no different come exam time.
Additional time is incredibly important, and the reality is that Irish secondary school students who have dyslexia simply do not get enough.
Topics Covered
- Dyslexia
- Leaving Certificate
- Exam accommodations
- RACE scheme