Adapted Digital Assessments
Who can use digital papers?
Pupils who are placed at a 'substantial disadvantage' with the usual 'published assessment arrangements'.
They are for learners who:
- have difficulty with reading ordinary exam papers,
- or with writing or recording responses.
For these pupils, the school can apply to the SQA to use 'Assessment Arrangements' for disabled candidates and/or those identified as having ASN.
A key part of this is ensuring schools meet their duties under the equality act 2010.
How many pupils are using them?
In 2017, there were:
- 5,888 requests for digital papers for 2,398 candidates.
Over half the schools in Scotland now use digital papers.
What do digital papers look like?
There are 2 types of digital paper:
- 'Question and answer' digital papers
- 'Question only' digital papers
- 'Question and answer' papers
PDF file with answer boxes in the paper itself for candidates to type their answers on screen. - 'Question only' papers
Supplied with 'Digital Answer Booklets' for candidates to type their answers into a separate file.

How easy are they to implement?
- 1. The school applies to the SQA to use digital papers.
- 2. SQA sends digital papers on CD some weeks in advance of the day of the exam.
- 3. On the day of the exam, school staff load the the digital papers (and answer booklets, if required) on to:
- A computer with Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word and a text reader;
- or an iPad (various apps).
- 5. Completed digital papers and answer booklets are printed off and sent to the SQA to be marked.