Kvanta Prep

Reasonable adjustments for online tests and interviews

If a disability, a long-term condition or a neurodivergent profile such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism means a standard test would put you at a disadvantage, you can ask the employer for a change. In Great Britain the Equality Act 2010 requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants. Northern Ireland has its own legislation.

Kvanta cannot grant adjustments. Only the employer and its assessment provider can. This page explains what is typically available, how to ask, and gives templates you can edit. It is general information, not legal advice.

What is typically available

Extra time is the most common adjustment. Employers often suggest 25% as the standard starting point. Candidates can reasonably ask for 50% or for the timer to be removed if that is what they need. The Bank of England's older candidate guidance says test time could be extended from 25% through to 100% depending on severity. Practice varies, so ask what the employer can do on its platform.

Extra time, commonly 25% or 50%, or an untimed version.
Breaks between sections.
Screen readers, text-to-speech, magnification, colour overlays or a different font size.
A paper version, or another accessible format.
An alternative to game-based tasks. Some candidates are offered another way of assessing the same ability, which universities' careers services treat as a reasonable adjustment.
A human-reviewed alternative to an automated video interview. One video publisher says candidates who opt out of AI are rated by humans on the same scale, and Lloyds states video is human-reviewed with no AI scoring.
Captions or a written version of spoken questions.

How to ask

Ask early, and before you open any test link. Some links cannot be restarted once opened.
Say what you need (for example, 50% extra time and breaks). You choose how much detail about your condition to share.
Be ready for the employer to ask for evidence, such as a diagnostic report or a letter from your university disability service.
Ask the employer to confirm the agreed adjustments in writing, and how they will be applied. Extra time is sometimes arranged through the assessment administrator, as in the Bank of England's older guidance.
Even if you disclosed on your application form, remind the person who sends the test link. They may not be aware.
If the deadline is close, say so and ask for an extension.

Practise with the same adjustments

Every timed preset on Kvanta has 1.25x and 1.5x time options, and untimed and learn modes. Use the one that matches what you are asking for, so the real thing is not the first time you meet it. Games have an opt-out note, video practice has a stammer-friendly mode, and eye-contact feedback can be switched off with one tap and stays off.

A note on fairness

Employers want a fair result, and publishers say adjustments should meet the candidate's needs without changing what the test measures. A flat 25% suits some people and not others, so explain what works for you. There is no shame in asking.

Email templates

Edit the square brackets to fit you. You choose how much to share, and you can ask for the adjustment without naming a diagnosis. Send it from the email you applied with.

Extra time on timed tests

Subject: Request for reasonable adjustments: [programme name], [your full name]

Dear [recruiter name],

I have been invited to complete online assessments for [role or programme] (reference [ref]). I have [dyslexia / ADHD / another condition, or say 'a condition'] which affects [reading speed / processing time / concentration under time pressure].

I would like to request [25% / 50%] additional time on all timed tests, and rest breaks between sections. I can provide [a diagnostic report / a letter from my university's disability service] if that would help.

Could you please confirm in writing which adjustments you can provide and how they will be applied? I will not open the test link until I hear from you, so please let me know if the deadline needs to move.

Thank you,
[your name]
[phone number]

Alternative to timed or game-based tasks

Subject: Request for an alternative assessment format: [programme name], [your full name]

Dear [recruiter name],

Thank you for the invitation to the game-based assessment for [role or programme]. I am [autistic / dyslexic / dyspraxic / another description] and fast-paced timed tasks and reaction-based games can disadvantage me in ways unrelated to the skills the role needs.

Could I please be offered an alternative way of assessing the same abilities, or an adjusted version without time pressure? If neither is possible, please tell me what adjustments are available for the game tasks.

I would be grateful for your confirmation in writing before I start. I can provide supporting evidence if needed.

Kind regards,
[your name]

Assistive technology and video interview

Subject: Adjustments for online assessment and video interview: [programme name], [your full name]

Dear [recruiter name],

I am applying for [role or programme]. Because of [your condition, or 'a disability'], I use [a screen reader / text-to-speech / magnification / captions] and would like to check that the assessment platform works with it.

For the video interview, could you please tell me whether: (1) questions can be provided in text or with captions; (2) the preparation and answer times can be extended; (3) my answers can be reviewed by a person; and (4) a live interview is available as an alternative.

Please confirm in writing what you can offer. I am happy to discuss on the phone.

Kind regards,
[your name]
[phone number]

Sources

What do the confidence badges mean?

Vendor-published Stated in the test publisher's own document or practice site.
Academic From peer-reviewed research.
Official employer Stated on the employer's own page.
Near-official Near-official: an employer-run practice portal, or a vendor or employer-quoted press release naming the employer.
Candidate-reported Reported by candidates. Treat as likely but unconfirmed.
Third-party From prep sites, press or forums. Not confirmed by the employer or publisher.

Official employer
The Equality Act 2010 section 20 sets the duty to make reasonable adjustments in Great Britain.
Source · Legislation.gov.uk.
Third-party
Employers often suggest 25% extra time as the standard, and applicants can reasonably ask for 50% or for the timer to be removed altogether. Ask early, in advance, and remind the person who sends the test link.
Source · University careers service guide, June 2024.
Official employer
Test time can be extended from 25% through to 100% depending on severity, arranged through the assessment administrator.
Source · Older Bank of England candidate guidance.
Vendor-published
Adjustments should meet the candidate's needs without drastically altering the test, because standardisation matters for interpreting results.
Source · Publisher blog, 2020.
Third-party
It can be a reasonable adjustment to test the abilities being measured by alternative means, if requested in advance.
Source · University careers service.
Official employer
Under the Equality Act a disability is a physical or mental impairment with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on normal day-to-day activities.
Source · Legislation.gov.uk.
Vendor-published
Candidates who opt out of AI are rated by humans on the same scale.
Source · 2025 explainability statement.
Official employer
Lloyds states video is human-reviewed with no AI scoring.
Source

Questions people ask

What counts as a disability for adjustments?

Under the Equality Act it is a physical or mental impairment with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on normal day-to-day activities. That can include dyslexia, ADHD, autism, anxiety and many others. If you are unsure, ask the employer or your university disability service.

How much extra time can I ask for?

25% is the usual starting point employers suggest, and you can ask for 50% or an untimed version if that is what you need. The Bank of England's older guidance allowed from 25% to 100% depending on severity. Practice varies by employer.

Do I have to share my diagnosis?

You choose what to share, but employers may ask for supporting evidence before agreeing some adjustments. A letter from a university disability service is often enough.

When should I ask?

Before you open any test link, and as early as you can. Some links cannot be restarted.

Will asking count against me?

Adjustments exist to put you on an equal footing, not to give an advantage. If you are worried, ask the recruiter how requests are handled and who sees them.

What if the employer says no?

Ask for the reason in writing and what alternatives exist. Your university careers or disability service can help, and so can ACAS or the Equality Advisory Support Service.

Can I practise with extra time here?

Yes. Each timed preset has 1.25x and 1.5x options, plus untimed and learn modes.

Independent practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any test publisher or employer.

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