What is Sensory PDF Exam Reader?

Sensory PDF Exam Reader is offline PDF reading software that schools and colleges can use as a computer reader in exams and tests. It opens accessible electronic PDF exam papers, both non-interactive and interactive, and reads text aloud when the candidate hovers the mouse over it.

This is an annual subscription licence, renewed each year. The licence covers Windows and macOS and applies to all computers owned by the licensed school or college.

How it helps

A computer reader lets a candidate hear the questions independently, without a human reader. Sensory PDF Reader is installed locally, so it needs no internet access to read papers aloud, which suits exam rooms where internet access is restricted.

For schools and colleges

• Designed in line with JCQ access arrangements for a computer reader.
• Covers all computers owned by the school or college, on Windows and macOS.
• Works offline, with no internet connection needed to read papers aloud.
• Reduces reliance on human readers, helping exams officers plan access arrangements.
• Includes 12 months of remote support by email.

For parents and families

• Helps your child practise reading papers independently in the same way they will work in school.
• Supports confidence and independence for learners who find reading questions under time pressure difficult.
• Talk to your child's school or SENCO about whether a computer reader is part of their normal way of working.

Support for dyslexia and wider SEND needs

For dyslexic candidates, hearing questions read aloud removes the barrier of decoding text under exam conditions, so they can show what they know. Learners with wider SEND needs who read more slowly or tire quickly when reading also benefit from hearing the paper read aloud.

Exam use and JCQ

Exam use is at the discretion of the candidate's exam centre, who decide all access arrangements in line with current JCQ regulations. A computer reader is typically used where it reflects the candidate's normal way of working. See the JCQ access arrangements guidance for full details.

Supplied by a UK specialist

The Dyslexia Shop supplies exam access software to schools and colleges across the UK. Please contact us if you would like help choosing between the school and college licences.

• Opens accessible non-interactive and interactive electronic PDF exam papers.
• Reads text aloud when the candidate hovers the mouse over it.
• Designed in line with UK JCQ access arrangements for a computer reader.
• Installed locally, with no internet access needed for computer reader functions.
• Licence covers Windows and macOS.
• Applies to all computers owned by the licensed school or college.
• English (British) voice.
• Supported operating systems: macOS and Windows 10 and 11.
• 12 months of remote support by email.

• A computer reader for exams. Reads accessible PDF papers aloud so candidates can work independently, at the exam centre's discretion under current JCQ regulations.
• Helps dyslexic candidates show what they know. Hearing questions removes the barrier of decoding text under time pressure.
• Works with no internet. Installed locally, so it suits exam rooms with restricted access.
• Whole-school coverage. One licence for all Windows and Mac computers owned by the school or college.
• Manageable annual cost. Renew each year, with 12 months of email support included.

Software, Apps and Updates

• Sensory PDF Reader installer for Windows (23 MB)
• Sensory Readable SE installer for Windows (13 MB)
• Sensory PDF Reader installer for macOS (102 MB)

Compatibility

Windows 10 and 11, and macOS. Installation is permitted on all computers owned by the licensed school or college.

Support

Every licence includes 12 months of remote support by email from Sensory App House.

Delivery and Returns

This is a digital product and nothing is posted. Your licence key and download details are supplied by email. See our Delivery and Returns page for full details.

• What is Sensory PDF Exam Reader?
  Sensory PDF Exam Reader is offline software that reads accessible PDF exam papers aloud when the candidate hovers the mouse over the text. Schools and colleges use it as a computer reader in exams and tests, on Windows and macOS computers they own.
• Can Sensory PDF Reader be used in GCSE and A Level exams?
  Exam use is decided by the exam centre in line with current JCQ regulations. Sensory PDF Reader is designed in line with JCQ access arrangements for a computer reader, which centres may allow where it reflects the candidate's normal way of working.
• Who decides whether a student can use a computer reader in exams?
  The exam centre decides all access arrangements in line with current JCQ regulations. JCQ does not endorse specific software, so the centre checks that a computer reader reflects the candidate's normal way of working before agreeing to its use in exams.
• Does Sensory PDF Reader help dyslexic students in exams?
  Yes, hearing questions read aloud can help dyslexic students access exam papers independently. A computer reader removes the barrier of decoding text under time pressure, where the centre agrees this access arrangement and it is the student's normal way of working.
• Does Sensory PDF Exam Reader need the internet?
  No, Sensory PDF Exam Reader is installed locally and needs no internet access to deliver its computer reader functions. This suits exam rooms where internet access is restricted or switched off, and means papers can be read aloud reliably without depending on a network connection.
• How many computers does the licence cover?
  The licence covers all computers owned by the licensed school or college, on both Windows and macOS. It is available as a School licence or a College licence, so choose the option that matches your institution. Please contact us if you are unsure which one applies.
• How can parents support a child using a computer reader?
  Speak to your child's SENCO or exams officer about whether a computer reader is part of their normal way of working. Regular practice with the same software in lessons helps students feel confident using it in exams.
• What is the difference between the annual and perpetual licences?
  The annual licence is a subscription renewed every year, while the perpetual licence is a one-off purchase. Both cover all computers owned by the licensed school or college, on Windows and macOS, and include 12 months of email support.