Extra Time Request in Exams

When and how to use this letter

Apply for extra time at least two to three weeks before the examinations start, because the institution must verify your medical or disability certificate and formally record the concession before the first paper. Attach a certificate from a recognized medical authority that clearly states the nature of the condition and confirms that it affects your writing speed — vague certificates are the most common reason these requests get delayed. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Understand the standard provision so you ask for the right thing: many boards grant 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour of examination to students with certified disabilities or temporary injuries, and students using a scribe usually receive it automatically. Request only what the rules allow; asking for an unreasonable amount of time can weaken an otherwise valid application. If your condition is temporary, mention the expected recovery period.

A practical tip: ask the examination office for written confirmation of the approved extra time and carry a copy to each paper, because invigilators at different centers may not have been informed. Sit near the front of the hall so you can quietly confirm with the invigilator when your extended time ends — this avoids any misunderstanding when other students finish.

Use the extra time strategically during the paper: finish the questions you know well first within the normal time, then use the compensatory minutes for longer answers, revision, and neat presentation. Extra time is most valuable when it is planned for, not when it arrives as an unplanned bonus.

Frequently asked questions

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