Oral Exams Information for 2027
Reasonable Accommodations for Students Who Stammer in Oral Exams
The State Exam Commission has published guidelines for schools and exam candidates sitting exams in 2027. The guidelines note that students who stammer are able to access accommodations for the oral exam.
Please note the key dates shown in the table at the bottom of this article, as some application dates have a short timeframe.
Key Documents:
- Detailed Document for Schools:
- 'Easy Read' Version for Students. This document is from 2026 as there is no 2027 version. It is useful as a simpler version to the school's guide for students. The content is still accurate for 2027:
Frequently Asked Questions about RACE Guidelines:
1. What accommodations are available for a student who stammers in oral exams ?
Support arrangements are available for students who stammer in the Leaving Cert oral exams. These include:
- Additional time to answer questions: The examiner can be informed of your stammer, and you can be allocated extra time to respond.
- Taking the exam at a specific time: You may request to do your oral exam at the start or end of the exam day to reduce waiting time or to reduce the worry of feeling time pressure with another student waiting to begin their exam after yours.
- Students who stammer will be examined by an examiner who has been briefed in dealing with candidates with speech differences including stammering.
"Oral exam for candidates who have a severe speech impediment including stammering. For the oral component of the examination, the examiner is told of your speech impediment and can arrange for you to be taken first or last in order to give you more time to answer.”
(p36, RACE 2026 Guide for Students)
Page 70 of the Schools Guidance document provides more information about support arrangements.
“Support Arrangements in the Oral Test for candidates with a severe speech impedimentincluding stammering
A. The candidate will be examined in the oral tests in language subjects by an examiner who has been briefed in dealing with candidates with severe speech impediments including stammering. The oral tests will take place during the period in which all other candidates will be examined.
B. If support arrangements in the oral tests are not appropriate due to the candidate’s needs, then an exemption from the oral may be granted in any language subjects that the candidate is taking. This exemption is only approved where it can be demonstrated that the candidate’s disabilities preclude engagement with an oral examination (such as a disability that significantly impairs the candidate’s ability to speak).
The results in these subjects will be calculated on the components taken regarding them as 100% for assessment purposes. Accordingly, the grades obtained by the candidate in the relevant subjects will be accompanied by an explanatory note, which will read as follows:
“all parts of the examination in this subject were assessed except the oral element”.
Exemption from Oral Exam:
If support arrangements in the oral tests are not sufficient, it is possible to apply for an exemption. This will only be granted when it can be demonstrated that the student’s speech severely impairs their ability to engage in the oral examination and cannot demonstrate what they know due to their stammer. If you are given an exemption, the grade for your subject will be used from the other parts of the language exams such as listening and written exams.
2. How do I apply for support arrangements or an exemption?
The application form for Leaving Cert students is available here:
RACE SCHEME 2027Green Form_LEAVING CERTIFICATE and LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED_ ACCOMMODATIONS FORM
Stammering is listed on page 8 under Physical Difficulties.
3. Is a report from a speech and language therapist or psychologist required to apply for accommodations?
For students who stammer, a report from a speech and language therapist (SLT) is not required, though it may be helpful in some cases. Schools are responsible for gathering the necessary information to support the application. If you have an SLT report or letter, you can share this with your school to include in the application. Some students may no longer attend SLT or may not have a report. This will not prevent the school from making an application, as the school must show the student’s need for accommodations based on current observations and evidence gathered within the school setting. Schools can use classroom performance, class test results, teacher observations, and any other relevant information to support the application.
4. Can the ISA help with the application process or briefing the examiner?
The Irish Stammering Association (ISA) is here to support you with the application process for reasonable accommodations as well as becoming an advocate for you with education providers. We understand that navigating the application process can be challenging, so we are available to provide advocacy, guidance and assistance.
ISA has created a template letter that can be used to inform and brief the examiner on behalf of the student. This letter will help ensure that examiners are aware of any specific information the student would like them to know along with the accommodations they have been given.
If you need further assistance or have any questions about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us info@stammeringireland.ie. We are committed to supporting students who stammer and helping to ensure that they have the necessary accommodations to succeed.
The template letter is free to download and customise.
Please see the downloadable document at the bottom of this page titled "Information Letter for Examiners of Oral Exams [E]" and the accompanying "Teachers Guide for Supporting Students who Stammer" which gives more detail if you wish to share this as well.
5. Can the ISA provide information and education opportunities for Examiners?
Yes, the Irish Stammering Association can support examiners by providing information and educational resources about stammering. We understand that informed examiners play a key role in creating a fair and supportive exam environment for all students. ISA aims to help examiners better understand stammering and the accommodations available, so they feel prepared to support students during exams. In addition, the ISA will soon release a template letter that schools can use to brief examiners about individual students’ needs, ensuring they have clear guidance on how they can respond to moments of stammering and facilitate a supportive exam environment.
For more information on upcoming resources or training opportunities, please feel free to contact us info@stammeringireland.ie.
6. What are the key dates to apply for accommodations?
Key dates for applying for accommodations are outlined in the School Guidelines Document (Page 6). Schools should begin the application process well in advance of the exam dates. Please ensure that your school is aware of these deadlines to avoid delays in securing accommodations. The key deadlne for students who stammer is the LC/LCA closing date on 30th November 2026.
7. Can I download the Examiners letter template?
Yes. ISA have created templates with an information sheet and a teachers Guide to stammering. Many students find it helpful to know that the examiner knows about their stammer in advance of the exam. Here is the downloadable template for you to print, customise, and share with your examiner. It is recommended this is sent ahead ahead of time so that your examiner has a chance to read it before the day of the exams.