The exam reading pen built to meet JCQ requirements

The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is a pocket-sized scanning pen that reads printed text aloud in a clear, natural voice. It is designed specifically for use in tests and exams by students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, with the deliberately stripped-back feature set that JCQ requires of an examination reading pen: no dictionary, no thesaurus, no translation function, no data storage and no wifi. Run the tip along a line of text and the words come through the speaker or earbuds within seconds.

Independent reading in the exam hall is the whole point. A candidate who struggles to decode questions cannot easily show what they know, and a human reader is not always available, affordable, or what the student actually wants. The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 lets a dyslexic learner sit alongside their peers and work through the paper at their own pace, in private, without anyone else seeing or hearing what they are reading.

For schools and SENCOs

• Built to the current JCQ specification for examination reading pens, with no dictionary, no storage and no wifi. Final exam use is at the discretion of the centre, in line with the latest JCQ AARA guidance.
• Suitable for KS3, KS4 and post-16 candidates whose normal way of working includes a reader pen for occasional words and phrases. No online AAO application is required where the pen is used for occasional words.
• Reduces reliance on human readers, freeing teaching assistants and lowering the per-candidate cost of reading support across the exam series.
• A C-Pen Exam Reader 2 Class Pack of ten is available separately for SEND departments running larger access-arrangement cohorts.
• Works straight from the box, with no IT setup, no software install and no network configuration needed.

For parents and home use

• Helps a dyslexic child read homework, revision notes and past papers at home without a parent having to sit and read every passage aloud.
• Builds reading confidence and stamina in the months leading up to mocks and final exams.
• Pocket-sized at just 50g, so it travels easily between home, school and the exam centre.
• Speaks in a natural British English voice, with American, Australian and Indian English accents also available.
• The included earbuds mean reading support stays private when working in shared spaces or revising in the library.

How it helps dyslexic readers

For students with dyslexia, the bottleneck in an exam is often decoding rather than understanding. The Exam Reader 2 removes that bottleneck on a word-by-word basis. The pen does not summarise, simplify or define anything; it simply reads the printed text back, leaving comprehension and answer-writing entirely to the student. That is exactly the boundary JCQ draws around exam reading support, and it is why the device has become a familiar fixture in SEND departments across the UK.

An audio-guided setup walks the student through their first use, and most learners are scanning fluently within five minutes. Battery life covers a full school day, and the device charges over a standard micro-USB cable.

Final exam-use decisions always sit with the candidate's exam centre, who apply current JCQ regulations on a case-by-case basis. The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is built to fit those regulations, but eligibility is decided locally; speak to your school's exams officer or SENCO before the exam series, and refer to the JCQ Access Arrangements page at jcq.org.uk for current guidance.

• Reads printed text aloud: AI-based OCR scans a line and reads it back through the speaker or earbuds in a natural voice, supporting independent reading in tests and exams.
• Built to meet JCQ requirements for exam reading pens: no dictionary, no thesaurus, no translation, no data storage and no wifi. Final exam use remains at the centre's discretion.
• Audio-aided user interface: menu items are read aloud during setup and use, helping students with literacy or visual difficulties navigate independently.
• Multilingual scanning: recognises printed text in 20 languages and dialects, including British, American, Australian and Indian English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin and Cantonese.
• Menu languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Portuguese and Russian.
• Display: OLED, 256 x 64 pixels.
• Processor: 1.2GHz dual core.
• Scan font size range: 6.5pt to 22pt printed text.
• Battery: 600mAh rechargeable lithium battery, sufficient for a full school day's use; charges via micro-USB.
• Audio output: built-in speaker plus standard 3.5mm earphone jack.
• Dimensions: 135 x 33 x 19 mm. Weight: 50g.
• Certifications: CE, UKCA, RoHS and FCC.
• Age and stage suitability: typically used by KS3, KS4, post-16 and adult learners; younger pupils can use it with adult support.
• What's in the box: C-Pen Exam Reader 2, carry case, USB cable, earbuds and quick start guide.
• Warranty: 12-month manufacturer's warranty from date of purchase.

• What is the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 and who is it for?
  The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is a portable scanning pen that reads printed text aloud, designed for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties who need help with occasional words during tests and exams. It is widely used in UK secondary schools, sixth forms and at home to support GCSE, A-Level and BTEC study.
• Does the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 meet JCQ requirements for exam use?
  Exam use is decided by your exam centre in line with current JCQ regulations. The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is built specifically to meet the JCQ specification for examination reading pens, with no dictionary, no thesaurus, no translation, no storage and no wifi, which is why it is so widely used. Always confirm with your centre's exams officer before the series. See the JCQ Access Arrangements page for current guidance.
• Is the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 suitable for dyslexic students?
  Yes, the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 was designed primarily for students with dyslexia. It removes the decoding bottleneck on a word-by-word basis, so a dyslexic learner can hear unfamiliar words read aloud and focus their effort on comprehension and answers. It does not define, simplify or interpret text; it reads only what is printed.
• Can schools use the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 instead of a human reader?
  Where a candidate only needs occasional words or phrases read aloud, JCQ permits the use of an examination reading pen at the centre's discretion, and no online AAO application is required. Many schools have moved a proportion of their reader cohort onto the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 to free teaching assistants and reduce reliance on human readers.
• How will the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 help my child at home?
  At home, the Exam Reader 2 lets your child read homework, revision notes and past papers independently. Instead of asking you to read every tricky word, they scan the line and the pen reads it back through the earbuds. This builds reading confidence and stamina ahead of mock exams and the real thing.
• What age or year group is the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 for?
  The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is most often used by KS3, KS4 and post-16 students, typically from Year 7 upwards through GCSE, A-Level and BTEC. Younger pupils can use it with adult support. Adults with dyslexia also use it for professional reading and continuing study.
• Does the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 need wifi or a computer?
  No. The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is fully offline. All voices, OCR and software are embedded on the device, so it works in any exam hall, classroom or kitchen with no setup. The micro-USB cable is used only for charging and occasional firmware updates.
• How long does the battery last on a single charge?
  The 600mAh rechargeable battery lasts a full school day on one charge, more than enough for a typical morning or afternoon exam session. Schools usually charge each pen overnight using the supplied micro-USB cable, ready for the following day.
• What is the difference between the C-Pen Exam Reader 2 and the C-Pen Reader 2?
  The Reader 2 is the everyday version, with a built-in dictionary and the ability to save scanned text for later review. The Exam Reader 2 has those features deliberately removed so it meets JCQ requirements for use in regulated exams. Many families buy the Exam Reader 2 because it is the version that can be taken into the exam hall.