Hi, I’m Rona, I’m 23 years old, and I’m proud to be a volunteer with LOOK UK. I sit on the Mentor Project Steering Group, helping to shape and support our brilliant mentoring scheme for blind and visually impaired young people. I was once a mentee myself, so I know just how important the right support can be.
In this blog, I want to share my personal experience of navigating GCSEs and A-Levels as a visually impaired student. From choosing my options and convincing my school I could do exams, to studying at a mainstream college and later RNC, this journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learnt a lot along the way. I hope my story will help other visually impaired students feel less alone, and give you some useful tips as you head into your own exams.
Choosing My GCSE Options
I went to a mainstream secondary school with a specialist disability unit called the Ormerod Base. In Year 9, I chose my GCSEs: English and Maths (which were compulsory), Religious Education (RE), German, and Health and Social Care.
I really wanted to do History, Science and French too, but my Teaching Assistants (TAs) and the Base Manager felt that would be too much, especially as I needed spare periods for Braille, mobility training, and homework support. I’d already dropped Drama, Art and Music by this point, because the visual elements made them increasingly hard to access and enjoy.
Although I didn’t do as well in French, I chose to continue with German because I’ve always had a natural gift for languages. Looking back, I’m happy with the subjects I chose and proud of how I did—except for Maths, which I retook later at college during COVID.
Revising For Exams and the Impact on my Result
One of the biggest lessons I learnt early on was this: you can’t rely on school hours alone to prepare for your exams. In Year 9 and 10, I was doing almost all of my homework at school, because I didn’t have the resources or support to study independently at home. Unsurprisingly, I failed a lot of my mocks and started to feel overwhelmed.
There were moments when the stress really took over. I remember crying in the middle of an RE practice exam, and being unable to speak during a one-to-one German speaking test because I was so anxious. I even became physically unwell during the winter of Year 10, and I believe now that it was due to the constant pressure and disappointment I was feeling.
But I’m a strong believer in the phrase “Failure is the best teacher”. It taught me that I needed to start revising at home and that I needed accessible materials to do so. My family helped me convert my bedroom into a study space with my laptop, Perkins Brailler, and space to spread out Braille notes. Once I had that environment, everything began to change.
I started passing my mocks. I felt less stressed. I even began to enjoy the process of revision. I developed a routine that worked for me, and I stuck to it through to my final exams. By the end of Year 11, I had sat 12 exams, and I exceeded both my own and my teachers’ expectations.
Proving I Could Do It
My main aim has always been to prove people wrong and show them what I can do as a blind person. School staff were initially concerned that the stress of exams would make me too unwell to complete them. But with the support of my Dad and hospital consultant, we fought for me to be given a chance. And I’m so glad I had that chance.
In the end, a little bit of stress actually motivated me. It reminded me how much I wanted to prove what blind students can achieve with the right support.
Studying at Mainstream College
After GCSEs, I decided not to stay on at Sixth Form. I hadn’t passed Maths and wasn’t sure I’d meet the entry requirements. Instead, I went to a mainstream college where I spent five years, starting with a Fast Forward course that helped me build employability skills and prepare to retake my Maths GCSE.
During this time, I also started studying a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care. I revised for my exams by writing notes from the textbook, which my QTVI converted into an accessible format for me so I could download it to the eBooks app on my iPad. I converted my notes into audio by reading Braille versions into the Voice Memos app on my phone. This strategy really helped me stay on top of the material.
I went on to pass all my Level 3 Health and Social Care exams, even achieving a Distinction in Anatomy and Physiology—something I never thought I’d manage due to its visual nature.
Exams at the RNC
At the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), I studied Level 3 Business and Level 3 Braille. My revision methods remained the same: practice papers in exam conditions, using the same technology and arrangements I’d have on the day.
For my Business course, I used JAWS and Braille papers. For my Braille course, I worked with a scribe in class to complete past papers and recorded myself reading notes provided by the teachers using my phone. I achieved two Merits in Business and passed my Braille exam with only three errors—just one short of a Distinction under the old grading system!
My Personal Tips for Exam Revision
Here are the revision techniques that worked best for me:
- Create a revision routine that suits your needs—consider a timetable that focuses on topics you find most challenging, once these exams are complete you can focus your energy on the next subjects.
- Use short bursts of study (15–30 mins) followed by a 5-minute break to keep yourself focused and avoid burnout.
- Access past papers in the format you use for exams—Braille, large print, or digital—and practice under exam conditions. Ask your school or college to contact BETS (Braille Examinations Transcription Service) and they will send out past papers for your relevant syllabus in each subject.
- Focus your time on revision you can do at home. Where Braille or large print papers are available use these to practice ‘exam conditions’ including time limits on papers.
- Record yourself reading notes aloud. Make notes in Braille or large print and then record yourself reading them, this way, you can listen back to them during travel or relaxation time.
- Use accessible apps and websites, like Quizlet, BBC Bitesize, and YouTube revision channels (e.g. Mr Bruff or Mr Macmillan REvis).
- Avoid cramming—it’s far better to study little and often.
- Speak up if you’re struggling—don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed. Teachers and QTVIs are there to help.
What I’d Tell My Younger Self
If I could speak to my younger self, I’d tell her to start revising earlier, and not to be afraid to ask for help. I’d remind her that failing isn’t the end of the world. Exams can be retaken, and retaking them doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means you’re determined. I would tell myself to ask for help and accept help sooner.
Most importantly, I’d tell her she’s capable, even when others doubt her, and that her hard work will pay off.
Exams are tough for everyone, and even more so when you’re blind or visually impaired, but with the right tools, support, and determination, you can succeed.
And remember: if you’re finding revision hard or you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your teachers or QTVI, you’re not alone.
For more resources on revising and exam preparation click on the button below.