5 Essential Products For Exam Season
Although it might feel like winter is never-ending at the moment, the reality is that the summer exams are fast approaching. For many students with dyslexia, this time of year can feel particularly overwhelming and nerve-wracking, and it’s only natural that, as parents and teachers, you want to help them achieve their best.
Here at The Dyslexia Shop, we know how important it is to ensure students have the right support during this time of year. That is why we offer a huge range of tools and resources designed to help students prepare for their exams comfortably, confidently and effectively. In this latest blog, we thought we would highlight five of the most essential products for students…
1. Coloured overlays
Reading for extended periods is often one of the biggest challenges that students with dyslexia face, and the stress around exam season only amplifies this. For these learners, text on white paper can sometimes appear to shimmer, blur, or cause visual stress, leading to fatigue, frustration, and slower reading speeds.
At The Dyslexia Shop, we offer a range of coloured overlays that provide an easy, non-invasive way to make text more accessible for all students. These transparent coloured sheets are placed over printed pages and textbooks to reduce visual stress and improve reading clarity, and we recommend that ahead of their exams, students experiment with different colours to find the one that feels most comfortable for them.
The ability to be able to read more comfortably will help to greatly improve focus and reduce anxiety, not only in exams but also during their revision.
2. Reading Rulers
Alongside coloured overlays, reading rulers are another invaluable tool for exam preparation. These simple, sturdy guides help learners track lines of text with greater ease and prevent the eye from jumping ahead or skipping lines unintentionally.
Our Dyslexia Shop reading rulers are available in a variety of colours and styles, helping to reduce distractions for students and improve their overall concentration. These resources are particularly useful when working through long passages or practice papers, and they are lightweight, portable, and ideal for use at home, in the classroom, or even during exams, where permitted.
3. C-Pen Exam Reader 2
When preparing for exams, comprehension is just as important as decoding individual words. That is why tools like the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 are helping to transform exam season for countless students. This smart, handheld scanning pen reads text aloud instantly, with students just needing to glide it over words and sentences in textbooks, worksheets or revision notes.
Suitable for use in JCQ-regulated exams when granted as the candidate's normal way of working, the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 helps to build independence by reducing reliance on others for reading support
4. Stabilo Easy Original Pen
From essay answers and practice questions to mock papers and revision notes, exam season means a lot of writing for students. However, for students with dyslexia, this can be a challenge as fine motor fatigue slows writing speed and impacts clarity.
A dedicated writing tool, such as the Stabilo Easy Original Pen, has been designed specifically for developing hand strength and for those who need a comfortable grip. Its ergonomic shape encourages correct finger placement, reduces hand strain, and helps build smooth, legible writing. So, no matter whether your child is tackling practice papers at home or preparing for longer written exams, a comfortable pen can be a small change that makes a big difference in endurance and confidence.
5. Textured fidget toys
Of course, revision and exam preparation aren’t only about cognitive tools. Stress and anxiety can increase significantly during this time of year, so supporting emotional regulation and focus plays an important role.
Some students find that fidgeting helps them stay attentive and calm during study sessions, and tools such as our 6-Pack Silicone Textured Fidget Toys are classroom-safe sensory tools that provide quiet, safe outlets for restless energy or nervousness. These soft, tactile and versatile toys offer a discreet way to support concentration without distraction, and while they shouldn’t replace structured study time, they can be especially helpful during revision breaks or when a child needs a moment to reset and refocus.
Preparing for exam season with care and confidence
While exam season can be a stressful time, taking the right steps today can help reduce the pressure and create a supportive environment in which children can thrive. At The Dyslexia Shop, we have a huge selection of tools and resources to support children with dyslexia, not just during exam season but throughout their educational journey.
Want to find out more? Take a look through our website today, or get in touch with our team, who will be happy to help you find what you need.