Exams can be stressful at the best of times…and we know that stress makes ME symptoms worse! So, its very important that much care and consideration is given to taking your exams and looking at what concessions are available to you.

Some of the arrangements can be authorised by your school/college/uni – others have to be applied for through the relevant examination board, usually with current medical information supporting the application.
Detailed below are the most common concessions available to people suffering from ME/CFS:

• 25% Extra Time – gives you more time to read and understand what is required of you
• Rest Breaks – allows you walk around and stretch during your exam or do some gentle meditation/breathing exercises
• Sitting exam in separate room – can allow you to concentrate and avoid interruptions when other people are leaving exam room. Make sure you are happy with room offered – windows/light/noise etc
• Exam taken at home – can help conserve energy, particularly when into 2nd or 3rd week of exams
• Change time of exam – Exams scheduled to take place in the morning can be rearranged to the afternoon or you can start later than your peers
• Change day of exam – if 2 exams are on the same day one can be taken the day before/after
• Split exam over two days – if the paper is too long to sit in one go i.e 4 hours this could be split into two 2 hour sessions
• Scribe/Amanuensis – someone to do your writing for you – practice beforehand!
• Use of laptop – useful if you cannot write for long spells – again make sure you practise beforehand (they will not allow you use of spell check though!!!!)
• Coloured paper overlays – useful for those with visual problems
• Special Consideration – allowances can be made if you have missed a lot of school