# Can my child get extra time and a scribe in board exams?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-my-child-get-extra-time-and-a-scribe-in-board-exams
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Yes — under India's RPwD Act, 2016, children with a recognised disability or specific learning difficulty can get extra time (commonly 20 minutes per hour) and a scribe or reader in board exams. You apply through your school with a valid disability or learning-assessment certificate, ideally a year before the board exams.

*Every child deserves a fair chance to show what they know — and the law in India agrees.*

## In short
Yes. In India, a child with a recognised disability or specific learning difficulty is legally entitled to reasonable examination accommodations — including extra time (commonly 20 minutes per hour) and a scribe or reader — in CBSE, CISCE, State and most national board exams. These rights flow from the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and you apply through your school using a valid disability or assessment certificate.

## How to secure extra time and a scribe
**1. Get the supporting documentation.** Boards require a disability certificate from a notified medical authority, or a specific learning disability assessment from an authorised institution. Conditions covered include specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia), autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and others listed under the RPwD Act.

**2. Apply early through the school.** Accommodations are requested by the school to the board well before the exam — often at registration. Ask your school's examination coordinator which form and certificate the board needs, and the deadline.

**3. Know the common provisions.** These typically include:
- Compensatory time — usually an extra 20 minutes per hour of examination
- A scribe (amanuensis) and/or reader for eligible candidates
- Exemption from certain subjects (e.g. a third language) where applicable
- Permission to use a calculator, larger font, or separate quiet room
- Flexibility in question types for some learning disabilities

**4. Keep records.** Retain copies of the certificate, the school's application and the board's approval, so the accommodation is honoured on exam day.

## When to start planning
Don't wait for the board year. A formal assessment and certificate can take time, so begin in the year before high-stakes board exams. If your child already has a documented profile through therapy or schooling, share it with the school early so the request is smooth.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any formal diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from an online form or screen. Our team can complete the structured developmental and learning profile that documentation often requires, and guide you on the certificate pathway. Explore [specific learning disability support](/specific-learning-disability) and our wider [therapy services](/) to prepare your child with confidence.

## Trusted sources
Paraphrased from the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act framework via the Rehabilitation Council of India, WHO guidance on disability inclusion, and AAP/healthychildren.org guidance on supporting learning differences. Exact provisions vary by board, so confirm current rules with your child's board and school.

**Next step —** book a developmental and learning assessment at your nearest Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, or reach our team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to plan your child's exam accommodations.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- Rehabilitation Council of India — disability framework: https://rehabcouncil.nic.in
- WHO — disability inclusion guidance: https://www.who.int
- AAP healthychildren.org — supporting learning differences: https://www.healthychildren.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment
- Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment

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