Streamlining your school’s approach to exams – work smarter, not harder
Table of contents
Exam season can place enormous pressure on schools. Staff have to organise access arrangements, timetable rooms, and ensure that staff and students feel confident using approved technology.
In this blog, we explore how schools can streamline their approach to exams by embedding technology as part of everyday practice, and the steps that schools can take to ensure they have a seamless exam season with DocsPlus.
| What you need from an exam tool | Why DocsPlus is the answer |
|---|---|
| JCQ & SQA compliant | Use as a computer reader, scribe, and word processor in line with regulations. |
| No internet required | Work fully offline – ideal for exam conditions. |
| Customisable student settings | Access pre-saved student preferences (voice, font, colours, etc.). |
| Coloured overlays & font choices | Adjust font size, style, colour, and personalised background colours for accessibility. |
| Text-to-speech | Read questions or answers aloud with synchronised highlighting. |
| Variable speech speed | Fully adjustable to suit processing speed and preference. |
| Writing support | Exam-safe word processor with optional word prediction, spell-check, and voice notes (can be turned off for exams). |
| Read PDFs | Open and read PDFs directly within DocsPlus – ideal for digital papers or modified materials. |
| No switching between programs | Dual-view: read and write in one window – no distractions or extra software. |
| Auto-save & backup | Keeps work safe in Exam Mode – it makes a new backup of the Document every minute. |
| Simple candidate management | Add and manage student details directly within DocsPlus. |
Utilising IT support and training through the DocsPlus technical team
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help throughout your subscription with all things IT. We offer exam support meetings to help schools and exam centres effectively integrate DocsPlus into their exam environments. The meetings cover key areas such as installation and setup, exam day considerations, and personalised student support. You can also book a technical support meeting around your schedule to address any specific technical issues.
Training for teachers and support staff
When investing in a DocsPlus subscription, it's essential that staff and teaching assistants are confident in using the software to its full potential. A bespoke, focused training session can empower staff to support students more effectively during exams, especially those with access arrangements. Our Flexi-subscriptions now include unlimited online training sessions with our DocsPlus experts*. You can choose what you want the session to cover, and tailor the length of the session to your needs. For example, if you know lots of students will be using the DocReader, you can arrange a session to ensure that staff are confident using it and instructing students how to do so.
*Subject to our fair use policy.
Reducing invigilator stress
We know that exams are stressful for students, but we often forget about the invigilators and exam teams working tirelessly to ensure a seamless exam season. Here at Crick Software, we understand the importance of both training and support for key staff and stakeholders involved in the exam process. You can utilise your unlimited training sessions to support invigilators and exam support staff with their bespoke challenges.
Reducing room and resource demand
Almost every school I have spoken to has found it difficult to timetable exams. A common problem is room shortages and lack of space. This can sometimes result in moving regular lessons or using staff offices. If this sounds like a familiar problem, DocsPlus is your answer. With DocsPlus, your students who use support tools can complete their exams in the same room as students who don’t. No need for extra rooms.
Ensuring exam arrangements are a ‘normal way of working’
One of the most significant changes to JCQ guidance is the importance placed on exam access arrangements being a ‘normal way of working’ for students before the exam season. This isn't particularly feasible in the case of readers and scribes. However, iPads, laptops, and Chromebooks can easily be integrated into regular lessons. Students can use DocsPlus as they learn the content and simply switch to exam mode when it’s time to sit assessments.
If you’d like to learn more about using DocsPlus in exams, you can read our blogs:
- How DocsPlus helps students tackle revision and exam stress
- How DocsPlus can support SENCos with the new JCQ updates
- Embedding technology as students’ normal way of working
