ClaroPDF

Summary

ClaroPDF Image to PDF Reader is a good app for accessing Digital Question Papers. You can open and save files from the iPad, OneDriveor Google Drive, change colours, read with ClaroPDF's excellent text to speech tool; type and dictate answers; annotate and draw; and save and print. The paid-for ClaroPDF Pro offers more features.

1. Opening papers

ClaroPDF can open papers from OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive and DropBox.

2. Viewing the paper

Pinch to zoom in or out. PDF papers are not reflowed when you zoom in and so if you need a very large font, you will probably have to scroll the paper around to read it.

One of ClaroPDF's good features compared to other apps is that you can choose from different coloured backgrounds, which can be some helpful for learners with visual stress or reading difficulties. Tap the 3 dots button in the bottom right to choose the background page colour.

3 dots button lets you choose the Scroll Direction (vertical / horizontal) and Scroll Mode - either single or multiple pages. You can also invert the colours, choose to have a Scrollbar showing page thumbnails at the bottom, and use autoscroll.

3. Navigate around the paper

Turn pages: flick at the left or right edge of the screen.
Table of contents: tap the Open Book at top right then the Bullet List to see the index of questions.
Bookmarks: tap the Open Book then the ribbon to add a bookmark. This could be helpful to mark a paragraph or a question. Tap the bookmark to remove it.
Answer Boxes: tap the Open Book then the comment button to see a list of all the answer boxes and annotations you have added.
Go to a specific page: tap the page number in bottom left and insert the page you want.
Page Thumbnails: tap the grid of dots in bottom right to navigate to pages.
Search: tap the 'magnifying glass' to search for a word or page number.

4. Reading with text-to-speech

ClaroPDF can use the built-in iPad Speak Selection tools and it also has good text reading tools within the app. Tap the Cog at top right then Settings to choose the voice and how the reader operates. There are a two main methods you can use:

You can set the speech to read a sentence or a single word, or no speech.
The 'Speak on Tap' setting is easier and quicker than selecting the text because you just tap the sentence and it's read out. Choose 'Stop after sentence' for reading questions one at a time.

The free ClaroPDF uses the system voices on the iPad including the Scottish Fiona voice.

5. Typing into answer boxes

Tap on an answer box and type the answer.
The iPad prediction and other writing supports can be used, as can Siri and Voice Control dictation. ClaroPDF has a Play button to read back your answer.
Tick boxes are selected by tapping.

6. Drawing, comments and annotation tools

ClaroPDF has a good selection of tools for drawing and annotating. You can highlight, underline and strikethrough text; insert text, callouts and sticky notes; draw with configurable pens and use a 'smart drawing' tool to convert freehand drawings into shapes; insert shapes, images and audio recordings.

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